TrailWalker -

Job Overview

As a TrailWalker you stay with one group (band) for a period of 8 days at a time, the entire time in the backcountry, what we call “The Trail.” You oversee and are responsible for the personal safety and well-being of the clients (YoungWalkers) as you journey through rugged terrain together. TrailWalkers work with 13-17 year olds and 18+ young adults who are struggling with a myriad of difficulties, including: substance abuse, depression, difficult family dynamics, emotional and behavioral concerns. TrailWalkers act as role models and support systems for those trusted in our care.

Qualifications

• 21 years of age or older
• High-school or college diploma
• Be able to pass a drug screen and fingerprint clearance check
• Be able to hike 10 miles a day of rugged terrain with a 40lb pack
• Be willing to develop survival skills, relationship skills, and further learn to enhance their personal leadership capabilities by participation in the training
• Willing to meet Employee Standards
• Possess critical thinking skills necessary for solving complex situations.
• Punctuality
• Be able to spend 8 days continuous in the backcountry and work 8 days-6 off.
• Commit to a minimum of 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and be responsible for personal growth and safety of clients in the field.
• Ability to maintain complete confidentiality of clients in ANASAZI program
• Communicate with the field back up (RidgeWalker) three times a day. Report location and status of group
• Meet weekly with therapists to assess needs of clients
• Be knowledgeable and comfortable with ANASAZI Way interventions (steppings, sittings and makings)
• Read and be able to teach ANASAZI Curriculum from The Seven Paths, TrailWalker Guide, The Anatomy of Peace, and The Five Legends, and The Path Books
• Teach and pass off skills associated with wilderness survival, health and hygiene, nutrition and hydration contained in Path Books
• Be competent in care of self and others in the wilderness in extreme weather conditions

Employee Standards

In the 1960s, the founders of ANASAZI Foundation learned that one’s lifestyle and “way of being” in their personal lives directly impacts an employee’s ability to facilitate positive change in the hearts of youth. At ANASAZI it is impossible to work and put on a different persona than you carry with you during your non-work life. We invite all of our staff, employees, and volunteers to live by high personal standards of conduct. Part of our philosophy is to never ask anything of our YoungWalkers that we wouldn’t require of ourselves. Therefore if we are to invite growth and progress in the YoungWalkers lives we must be doing it our own. This helps us bring a positive and uplifting persona to our interactions with others, enables us to make powerful connections, and communicate trust, love, and friendship. In addition, many that come through our program struggle with addiction and as a support to them we ask that all our employees abstain from tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, drugs, and pornography.

Considerations for Applicants

Process

• Submit application
• Field team will review and contact you within 2 weeks
• Interviews are in person or virtual depending on availability
• Within one week of the interview, you will receive an email inviting you to attend the next training group or notice that you will not be going forward in the process.
• Those invited to training will receive additional information about scheduling, required documents and other pertinent information

Training

Training has THREE parts.  Part I includes 5-6 days/nights in the backcountry.  Part II will be in the office.  Part III will be a trial week with clients.

Part I:

• Arrival to the Mesa, AZ office. Introductions, gear, drive out to the backcountry
• Spend 5-6 days/nights learning the ANASAZI Way, medical and emergency training, hiking and camping etiquette and much more
• This is not paid training – however your food and gear will be provided at no cost. You will be responsible for your own clothing, boots, and personal necessities

Part II:

• 2-3 days in office training
• Policies and Procedures
• You are responsible for your own food and lodging
• This is not paid training

Part III:

• Head out to the trail with our seasoned staff for an 8 day rotation working with clients
• Walk with lead TrailWalkers and YoungWalkers.
• Apply principles and skills learned in Part One and Part Two.
• Food is provided every week
• You will be paid for this training

Hiring

• After Part I and Part II of Training are complete, you’ll be offered a “Conditional Employment” opportunity.
• You’ll be advised of necessary paperwork, documents/certificates, physical fitness/TB/Drug Screening tests, additional training (including Part Three – working a week(s) in the field with clients), and background checks that will need to be completed and acceptable before an “official job offer” can be given.
•  After Part I, Part II and Part III of training are completed, The Field Team will schedule a time to meet with you for your “Hiring Sitting.”

Costs

Potential TrailWalkers must be aware of the costs associated with the application and relocating to Arizona. Those selected to come to training must provide documents that often times require money; such as: a physical, TB test, proof of tetanus shots, state driving records, official transcripts, and an Arizona fingerprint clearance. These costs alone can reach $200 in some situations.

Compensation

Starting pay is $13.85/hr. Due to overtime and how many hours are worked the average daily rate for a TrailWalker working a regular shift from Wednesday to Wednesday is around $210+ a day. TrailWalkers are also certified in WFA and all gear from initial training is gifted to them. 

Health and Safety

Because of the raw exposure to Arizona weather, physically demanding aspects of the job, and remote location of our area of operation we must be careful and wise in our selection of TrailWalkers.  It is important to know that some medications we do not allow on the trail - for clients or direct care staff living on the trail.  A complete list of medications that are accepted and not accepted is available on our website.  If you have questions or concerns about your health history or current condition, please feel free to call and ask to speak with the ANASAZI nurse before applying.

All this being resolved and understood, know that being a TrailWalker is one of the most unique, fulfilling, and unforgettable experiences anyone can have. We will do everything in our power to prepare you for the work, and expect you to match that effort.