student employment
Equipping the next generation of 91¸£Àû students to become leaders wherever they go next.
**Accepting Applications for Front Desk Assistant and Gear Library Staff for Fall 2026! Applications due Monday, September 14th, 2026
Join our Team
Are you excited about working with people? Learning skills? Sharing your passion about the outdoors?
Employment at Maine Bound Adventure Center is more than a job. It’s a fast track into a community of people who spend time in the climbing gym and enjoy the outdoors. Working in the outdoor field develops practical and transferable job skills. This includes: leadership, facilitation & instruction, communication, giving & receiving feedback, decision making & risk management, integrity, and professionalism.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Summary:Ìý°Õ³ó±ðÌýFront Desk Assistant position is the entry position for all of our student employees. The primary purpose of this position is to provide excellent customer service. This Front Desk Assistant’s primary responsibilities include overseeing the checking-in of the climbing gym users, operating our software system (RecTrac), providing equipment rentals, and signing participants up for trips. Once employed, employees will be able to gain skills and experience to work in other program areas, such as leading gym climbing programs, and working as a trip leader or challenge course facilitator.
Hours: 2+/week. Must be available to work occasional weekends. Employees begin by working 1-2 two hour shifts per week. The number of hours offered depends on student availability and skill level.
Salary: $15.10/hour (starting)
Required Certifications:
- All applicants MUST be certified to belay in the Maine Bound Climbing Gym prior to interview. Belay certification can take place duing any top rope climbing open hours.
- CPR- Standard First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator.Ìý(can be obtained after hiring and within 30 days of onboarding.
Summary: Gear Library Staff assist with overall operations of Maine Bound’s Gear Library. This position works with customers, outdoor equiprtment and our software system (RecTrac). Gear Library Staff assist the Front Desk with rental operations, follow up with customers about reservations or gear issues, and check in and out equiptment. Gear Library Staff use RecTrac to run rental reservation reports, create reservations, and solve rental issues. Gear Library Staff also clean, maintain, repair, and keep an accurate inventory of all outdoor equipment.
Hours: 2-5 hours/week. This position requires occasional Friday evening and Sunday evening shifts.
Salary: $15.10/hour (starting)
Required Certifications:
- CPR- Standard First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator. (can be obtained after hiring and within 30 days of onboarding.
Download full job description below:Â
*This position is hired internally. All staff must work as a Front Desk Assistant before applying for this positon*
Summary: The Climbing Wall Supervisor position is the typical next step after being trained as a front desk assistant. The primary purpose of this position is to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in the climbing gym and oversee all top rope climbing. A Climbing Wall Supervisior must be present any time top-rope climbing is open. The Climbing Wall Supervisor is responsible for doing daily climbing wall safety checks, teaching belay lessons, giving belay tests, monitoring participant safety, and making sure climbing gear is being used properly. This postion also assists the Front Dest Staff with all desk operations.
Hours: 2+/week, typically between 3pm-10:00pm. Must be available to work occasional weekends. Hours offered depends on student availability.
Salary: $15.10/hour (starting)
Required Certifications:
- CPR, Standard First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator. (can be obtained after hiring and within 30 days of onboarding)
- PCIA or AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor (offered yearly for MB staff at a nominal cost)
*Not directly hired for, student staff will have opportunity to gain skills/certs. to work this position*
Summary: The Challenge Course Facilitator position is a vital position for Maine Bound, and is often the logical first step to becoming trip staff. The primary purpose of this position is to maintain a safe and welcoming environment on the challenge course. Challenge course facilitators are responsible for planning and executing team building, low ropes and high ropes programs from start to finish.
Hours: 4+ hrs/program (summer, and fall are the busiest seasons for challenge course programs)
Salary: $15.10/hour (starting)
Required Certifications:
- CPR, Standard First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator. (can be obtained after hiring and within 30 days of onboarding)
- PCIA or AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor (offered yearly for MB staff at a nominal cost)
*Internal Hire – current student staff will have the opportunity to apply for this position*
Summary: Trip Instructors are required to have a large range of skills (technical and non-technical). Their primary responsibilities are to maintain safety, manage risk, make informed decisions, provide quality instruction, and excellent group management. Trip instructors are responsible for planning and executing trips from start to finish under the guidance of professional staff.
Hours: Variable
Salary: Variable
Required Certifications:
- CPR, Standard First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (can be obtained after hiring and within 30 days of onboarding)
- Wilderness First Responder (WMA, SOLO, NOLS)
- Educational Trip Leader Permit
- Pre-existing experience in Maine Bound skill areas
*Hiring priority is given to current Maine Bound staff, but often times we have 1-2 positions that need to be filled by outside candidates*
Summary: Summer Front Desk Assistants have the opportunity to work in all of Maine Bounds program areas, gaining significant leadership, customer service and facilitation experience. This summer front desk assistant has a number of responsibilities, including but not limited to: overseeing the checking-in of the climbing center users, operating our software system (RecTrac), providing equipment rentals, signing people up for Black Bear Bound, facilitating challenge course, climbing wall and custom trip programs, and working with RAD camp.
Hours: Part-Time (20hr/week) and Full-Time (30+hr/week)
Salary: $15.10/hour (starting)
Required Certifications: CPR, Standard First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator. (can be obtained after hiring and within 30 days of onboarding)
Preferred Certifications:
- Wilderness First Responder (WMA, SOLO, NOLS)
- Educational Trip Leader Permit
- Climbing Wall Instructor (PCIA or AMGA)
- Pre-existing experience in Maine Bound skill areas
Black Bear Bound Instructors
Summary: Black Bear Bound Instructors are the lead educators/facilitators for small groups of first year and transfer students during BBB adventures and/or BBB expeditions. The primary responsibility of BBB instructors is to maintain safety, manage risk, make informed decisions, and provide quality instruction. BBB instructors are responsible for planning and executing trips from start to finish under the guidance of professional staff.
Hours: Multi-Day
Salary: Variable
Required Certifications:
- CPR, Standard First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (can be obtained after hiring and within 30 days of onboarding)
Preferred Certifications:
- Wilderness First Responder (WMA, SOLO, NOLS)
- Educational Trip Leader Permit
- Pre-existing experience in Maine Bound skill areas
*Internal hiring only, student staff will have opportunity to gain skills/certs. and apply these positions*
Summary: Maine Bound could not manage all our program areas without the dedication, time, and skill of our Student Managers. Student Manager positions vary by year, but generally include Climbing Wall Manager, Front Desk Manager, Social Media Manager, Gear Library Manager, Trips Manager. Students in these positions assist with staff training, staff supervision, program opperation, event management, and other special projects.
Hours: 8-10+ hours/week
Salary: $15.85/hour (starting)
Application Instructions
All applications require 3 things: a cover letter, a resume, and an application form. Applications should be submitted via email.
- Cover letter.ÌýTell us why you want to work at Maine Bound and what you will contribute to the position you are applying to. Be sure to include the position you are applying for.
- ¸é±ð²õ³Ü³¾±ð.ÌýBe sure to list previous employment, relevant outdoor experiences, and any current certifications.
- ´¡±è±è±ô¾±³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô.ÌýFill out the application. Ensure all information is accurate and readable.
- Email.ÌýFront Desk Staff application materials to: Morgan Kruse morgan.kruse@maine.edu. Please attach everything as a PDF.
- Email.ÌýGear Library Staff application materials to: Beth Jackson, beth.jackson@maine.edu. Please attach everything as a PDF.
