Teton Excursions

 

UPDATES: Hiring for 2026!

 

Hiring:

 
 

Naturalist & Multi-Day Expedition Guide (Guaranteed Housing)


 

How To Apply

PLEASE NOTE: The official application is NOT accessible via mobile devices. You must use a desktop or laptop computer to apply.

1. Research the Brand: Visit TetonExcursions.com. Before applying, look at our specific tours and read our guest reviews. We want to ensure our Naturalist-Concierge style is a perfect fit for your professional goals. Look at our blog about our van fleet and make sure you are comfortable operating a 15-passenger raised roof Ford Transit with a cargo box attached to the trailer hitch at times.  These can be long vehicles to maneuver around the park, and you need to be comfortable operating these vans.  https://tetonexcursions.com/why-we-use-raised-roof-ford-transit-vans-for-our-private-yellowstone-grand-teton-tours/

2. Apply Online: On the desktop version of the site, click the "Guide With Us" button to fill out and submit your application.  https://tetonexcursions.com/hi/

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. We are in the field with guests and cannot take recruitment calls. If your application is a fit, we will reach out to you directly via email to schedule an interview.

 

Naturalist & Private Expedition Guide | Jackson Hole | $300 to $500+ Daily | Private Room

The Vibe: Teton Excursions isn't a bus tour company. We provide bespoke, private expeditions for discerning families who value their time and want a seamless, world-class experience in the Tetons and Yellowstone. We are the expert allies who handle the logistics and the timing, so our guests can just show up and experience the trip of a lifetime without the stress. We are looking for a savvy naturalist who can lead single-day trips and multi-day Western journeys with infectious enthusiasm.

Pay & Gratuities: We know what it takes to lead these trips. Our guests are families who have saved for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and they expect a guide who can actually take charge and deliver. Because of that, we make sure the compensation matches the responsibility.

  • Yellowstone & Multi-Day Tours: $300 Base + Tips.

  • Grand Teton Tours (7-8hr): $200 Base + Tips.

  • Multi-Day Per Diem: $30/day (Plus all hotels/lodging covered by the company).

  • The Food: We cover the guide's lunch on every trip.

  • The Upside: While tips are at the guest's discretion, it is normal for our guides to realize an average total daily take-home of $300–$500++. Our guests really like to take care of our guides.

Guaranteed Employer-Sponsored Housing (Private Room): Skip the Teton Pass commute or the stress of living in your car for the summer. We have secured local housing in Jackson. This isn't a shared bunkhouse; it is a private room with a kitchenette setup for $500/mo. Live in Jackson, WY, and actually have your own space to recharge at the end of a long day.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • National Park Compliance: We are Federal Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permit holders. Guides must strictly adhere to all National Park Service rules and regulations, including wildlife viewing distances, speed limits, and permit requirements.

  • Guest Safety: Monitor guest health (altitude and dehydration) and maintain strict safety protocols around wildlife and terrain.

  • Vehicle Ownership: Perform pre- and post-trip inspections. Maintain a clean vehicle. Vacuum, clean interior and exterior windows daily. Wash exterior when needed. This also includes cleaning equipment and wiping down binoculars, eye cups, and lenses. Check oil and fluids, and communicate any service or maintenance needs to the office.

  • Provisions & Logistics: Handle lunch pickups and food shopping for snacks, drinks, and fresh fruit for both daily and multi-day trips.

  • Supply Management: Responsible for restocking the van with all proper supplies (optics, field guides, snacks, water) to ensure a seamless guest experience.

  • Physical Requirements: Ability to lift over 50 lbs. You never know what the day will bring, but you'll regularly be managing trailer hitch cargo boxes, heavy coolers, and carrying guest luggage upstairs to accommodations during multi-day trips.

  • Lead Field Logistics: Execute single and multi-day itineraries, managing timing, park entry, and route adjustments on the fly.

  • Field Service: Set up and break down gourmet deli picnics; handle all food safety and presentation to a high standard.

  • Reporting & Expenses: Maintain organized records of all fuel and grocery receipts. Provide brief End of Day (EOD) reports to the office regarding trip highlights and guest feedback.

  • Media Management: Capture high-quality wildlife photos using Digiscope adapters and upload media to the company's shared drive for guest follow-up.

The Gear & Service Standard We provide the best tools in the valley so you can lead at the highest level:

  • The Chariot: Custom, high-roof Ford Transits configured for visibility and comfort.

  • The Glass: Every guest gets top-tier Vortex optics. We use professional Digiscope adapters to capture and share high-res wildlife photos directly to guest phones.

  • The Food: Locally sourced artisan breads and gourmet deli picnics. We provide high-touch service that removes all decision fatigue for the family.

What We’re Looking For

We have a deep respect for the sciences, and while we value an academic background, a Bachelor's degree is not a requirement for this position. What we value most is your authority in the field, your experience as a naturalist, and your ability to lead. If you have the natural talent and the right personality, we are ready to share our deep knowledge of the Yellowstone and Grand Teton ecosystems to help you excel.

Our priorities for our Naturalist Guides are the following:

  1. Guest Well-Being: This is our top priority. Our guests are often multi-generational families coming from sea level. You’re always monitoring the small things: hydration, altitude, and energy levels; anticipating their needs before they even realize they’re struggling.

  2. The Well-Rounded Naturalist: You should have a deep love for the outdoors and a genuine interest in the ecology and history of the region. Most importantly, you’re a storyteller who can make the landscape come alive for people.

  3. The Pro Guide: You’re grounded and professional. You can talk wildlife one minute and prep a great lunch the next, all while keeping the vibe relaxed and the logistics seamless.

  4. Reading the Room: You know how to pivot. Whether it’s a high-energy kid or a grandparent who needs a slower pace, you have the emotional intelligence to adjust the trip on the fly so everyone feels looked after.

  5. The Local Ally: You’re the one who takes the guesswork out of the day. You manage the timing and the flow so the family can actually relax and take it all in.

 

Additional Information About Teton Excursions

We are a small, independent operation that values the professional guide. This is a rewarding dream job in some of the most iconic landscapes on earth; our guests are often envious of the office we get to work in every day. However, it is also demanding work.

A five-month guiding season is a long haul in seasonal tourism. To be successful, you must be completely vested, take care of your physical health, and prioritize rest. We are currently committing to our guests for tours through September, so we are looking for professionals who join us with the full intent to stay through the end of the season. We take pride in our team’s longevity and focus on providing a sustainable lifestyle in Jackson by providing guaranteed private housing and the best gear in the field. We are looking for a road warrior ready to lead both single-day expeditions and deep-dive multi-day journeys.