TrailWalker

TrailWalker – Outdoor Behavioral Health Program Location: Mesa, Arizona / Remote Arizona Backcountry Schedule: 8 Days On / 6 Days Off Starting Pay: $15.15/hour + applicable overtime (subject to minimum-wage verification) Employment Type: Seasonal | Non-Exempt Commitment: Minimum six months requested Make a Difference.

Experience the Trail. Are you looking for meaningful work that challenges you physically, develops your leadership skills, and allows you to make a difference in the lives of others? As a TrailWalker with ANASAZI Foundation, you will live and work in Arizona's backcountry, mentoring and supporting a small group of adolescents and young adults participating in our Outdoor Behavioral Health Care Program.

TrailWalkers serve as positive role models, providing direct care, protective oversight, outdoor education, and encouragement while helping participants develop personal responsibility, healthy relationships, and meaningful life skills. This is an immersive outdoor position requiring dedication, adaptability, teamwork, and a commitment to participant safety.

Previous wilderness or behavioral health experience is preferred but not required. ANASAZI provides position-specific training.

What You'll Do

Monitor participant safety, well-being, hygiene, hydration, nutrition, and daily activities. Teach outdoor living skills, personal responsibility, communication, and ANASAZI principles. Support treatment goals established by the clinical team while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Use approved communication, behavioral-support, and de-escalation techniques.

Assist with hiking, camping, food preparation, sanitation, water management, and field safety. Maintain regular communication with field leadership and collaborate with clinical personnel. Respond appropriately to emergencies, injuries, behavioral concerns, and environmental hazards according to training and established procedures.

Maintain accurate documentation and comply with confidentiality, client rights, and mandatory-reporting requirements. TrailWalkers do not independently provide psychotherapy, diagnose behavioral health conditions, develop treatment plans, or perform nursing services. Schedule & Outdoor Living This is not a traditional 9-to-5 position.

TrailWalkers live outdoors during assigned rotations and work in a remote, technology-limited environment. Eight consecutive days on the trail, followed by six days off. Overnight camping and outdoor living throughout each rotation. Assignments may include weekends, holidays, and irregular hours. Limited access to personal technology and modern conveniences.

Exposure to heat, cold, rain, rugged terrain, wildlife, and changing environmental conditions. Physical Requirements This position requires the ability to: Hike approximately 3–15 miles per day over rugged and uneven terrain. Carry a backpack weighing approximately 50 pounds or more for extended periods. Stand, walk, climb, bend, kneel, lift, and carry equipment.

Participate in multi-day outdoor assignments under varying environmental conditions. Maintain appropriate participant supervision and respond to field-safety needs. Qualified individuals must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED. Current CPR and First Aid certification before required field assignments. Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card, as required by law and ANASAZI policy. Ability to meet applicable background screening and job-related clearance requirements. Successful completion of required orientation, field training, safety training, and competency assessments.

Dependability, sound judgment, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills. Willingness to make a minimum six-month employment commitment. Experience working with youth, outdoor recreation, education, mentoring, or behavioral health is preferred. Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), EMT, or other advanced first-aid certifications are beneficial.

Professional Expectations At ANASAZI, we believe the example our staff set is an important part of the experience we provide to participants and families. Employees are expected to demonstrate integrity, personal responsibility, sound judgment, respect, appropriate professional boundaries, and conduct consistent with ANASAZI's mission and established policies.

TrailWalkers must maintain a substance-free working environment, comply with ANASAZI's alcohol, tobacco, drug, and safety policies, and refrain from reporting to or performing work while impaired. Pre-Employment Training & Evaluation Applicants selected to advance in the hiring process will be invited to participate in ANASAZI's pre-employment training and evaluation program.

This program includes approximately 5–6 days of backcountry instruction and 2–3 days of classroom-based orientation, during which participants learn about ANASAZI's philosophy, outdoor living practices, safety expectations, and program procedures. Participation does not guarantee an offer of employment. Candidates will be evaluated throughout the process to determine their qualifications and suitability for the TrailWalker position.

The pre-employment training is unpaid, subject to applicable wage-and-hour requirements. Food and necessary field equipment will be provided during backcountry training. Candidates selected for employment will receive compensation for all subsequent required work and compensable training, including supervised field assignments.

Hiring Process Submit an application. Participate in an initial screening call. Complete a virtual or in-person interview. Receive an invitation to pre-employment training and evaluation, if selected. Complete the backcountry and office training/evaluation components. Receive a conditional employment offer, if selected.

Complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding. Participate in paid, supervised field training. Complete final competency verification before receiving an independent field assignment.

Compensation

& Benefits Starting pay: $15.15 per hour, plus applicable overtime, subject to applicable minimum-wage requirements. Food provided during assigned trail rotations. Initial field gear provided. Wilderness First Aid training/certification opportunities. Access to outdoor industry pro-deals. Potential eligibility for insurance benefits upon transition to a qualifying regular full-time position, subject to plan terms and ANASAZI policy.

Actual earnings depend on compensable hours worked, applicable overtime, and assigned schedules. Pre-Employment Requirements Selected candidates may be required to complete applicable background screening, fingerprint clearance, medical clearance, and other position-related requirements. Any required medical examinations or disability-related inquiries will be conducted after a conditional employment offer and in accordance with applicable law.

Additional information regarding documentation, potential applicant expenses, training dates, and onboarding requirements will be provided during the hiring process. Ready to Become a TrailWalker? If you enjoy the outdoors, value meaningful relationships, and want to help others develop skills that can positively influence their lives, we encourage you to apply.

Join ANASAZI Foundation and become part of a team dedicated to helping individuals and families find hope, strengthen relationships, and move toward meaningful change. ANASAZI Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law.