Join Our Team
Work in Acadia, on Katahdin, and across New England
We hire climbing instructors, guides, and interns for year-round programing from the sea cliffs of Acadia to winter ascents in Baxter State Park. Most of our guides start here as interns. Many finish as certified rock guides and IFMGA mountain guides.
For all roles, if interested, please send a complete AMG Employee Application, cover letter, and resume to climb@acadiamountainguides.com
Accepting Applications Now
Winter 2026-27
Winter work is per diem. Trips run on weekends from January through March, with private trips added on demand. This is not a full-season position.
Baxter State Park
Hiring now
Katahdin Winter Guide
A current Registered Maine Guide license. Every AMG overnight trip to a primitive campsite in Maine travels with a Registered Maine Guide for the full trip, and each separately registered group needs its own.
A two-day winter ascent of Katahdin. Day one is a half-day snowshoe to base camp, where you teach winter camping and winter mountain travel. Day two is an early start for the summit and a return to the trailhead by evening. Expect Mount Washington conditions: cold frequently below zero, wind, frequent snow, low visibility.
New winter staff complete AMG winter skills training and accompany senior guides on Katahdin before leading their own group.
- Dates
- TBD AMG has run between 5 and 10 Katahdin ascents per season historically.
- Location
- Baxter State Park. Staging from Bangor and Millinocket.
- Commitment
- Per diem, two-day weekend trips
- Ratio
- 5 clients per guide maximum
Also required
- Wilderness First Responder or higher
- AIARE Level 1 or above
- Winter camping and winter mountain travel experience, including multi-night cold weather camping
- Whiteout navigation, weather interpretation, stove use, and cold weather survival skills
- Clean driving record and background check
Preferred
- AIARE Level 2
- Prior winter experience in Baxter State Park
- PCIA or AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
- Wilderness EMT
Applications open now - Employment decisions made in january
Summer 2027
Instructor development runs late May into June. The primary season is mid-June through late September. We ask for at least a two-year seasonal commitment, and most of our guides start here as interns.
Orono and Bar Harbor
Climbing Instructor and Trip Leader Internship
Age 21 by the start of the season, at least one year of college completed, and a clean driving record. You will be driving campers in cars and 15-passenger vans with trailers.
Four or more weeks of paid training first, including our SPI and WFR courses even if you already hold the credentials. Then co-lead up to seven weeks of youth climbing and adventure camps, rotating between five and seven day overnight trips and day camps. As a camp leader you carry 24/7 responsibility in the field and make real decisions with real consequences.
- Season
- Late May to approx. Aug 20, 13 weeks. Paid extensions into October possible.
- Pay
- $5,000 plus training
- Training
- SPI and WFR courses, plus Maine Trip Leader certification, and american red cross lifeguard, free or heavily discounted
Preferred
- Age 23, and two years in an outdoor leadership program
- PCIA or AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
- Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace, lifeguard
- Two years climbing with 30 outdoor days per year, leads grade II 5.7
Bar Harbor
Single Pitch Instructor
PCIA or AMGA Single Pitch Instructor certification and Wilderness First Responder.
Run top rope sites for families, couples, and groups across Acadia and inland Maine. Co-lead up to two weeks of youth camp per season and mentor the interns. Most instructors guide four days a week and work a fifth day in the shop and office for guaranteed income.
- Season
- Mid-June to late September, 75 days minimum
- Pay
- From $145 per day, $200 maximum plus bonuses
- Experience
- Age 23 or a prior AMG internship, three years climbing, leads grade II 5.9
Preferred
- Two-year outdoor leadership program
- 80 outdoor days requiring anchor building and gear placement
- 20 days instructing or guiding in the past two years
- Pursuing further AMGA certification
Bar Harbor
Multi-Pitch Instructor and Guide
AMGA Rock Guide Course completion, plus current ability to lead grade III, 5.10, A1. Prior PCIA or AMGA Single Pitch Instructor certification.
Everything in the single pitch role, plus multi-pitch guiding with one to four clients on the South Wall of Champlain, at Clifton, and in New Hampshire. You will mentor newer staff and occasionally travel to western Maine and New Hampshire, which is compensated on top of the day rate.
- Season
- Mid-June to late September, 75 days minimum
- Experience
- Age 23, five years climbing, 50 outdoor days per year for three years
Preferred
- Two Grade IV ascents in the past three years
- 50 days instructing or guiding in the last two years
- Improvised rescue and sequential rappel proficiency
- Multi-season commitment and continued certification
Bangor, and Bar Harbor in summer
Office and operations
Climbing School Management and Logistics Internship
This role is focused on the the back end of the climbing school: processing course reservations, building and organizing course materials, preparing itineraries, researching new venues, organizing trip logistics and equipment, and handling clients by phone, email, and in person. You will shadow or assist on field courses as the season and your skills allow.
- Start
- Mid-May
- Season
- 14 weeks through approximately Aug 20
- Fall option
- Continue into the fall season for course turnover, wilderness medicine and avalanche scheduling
- Pay
- TBD - in line with Trip Leader Internship pay plus extra time
What we look for
- Outdoor education or business coursework, completed or in progress
- Self-starter who is comfortable owning a project without daily direction
- Interested in starting or managing an outdoor/guiding industry business
- Detail oriented, since this role interacts with reservations and client data
- Climbing, skiing, or mountaineering skills recommended, not required
- Clean driving record
Access to professional courses including climbing and mountaineering, Maine Trip Leader, wilderness medicine, and PCIA training at significantly reduced cost. Housing limited depending on location. Pro-purchase access and workers compensation insurance provided.
AMGA ACCREDITED
• Since 1994 •
AMGCS is one of 32 AMGA accredited programs in the US and was one of the earliest to pursue and achieve accreditation. AMGCS is the only climbing school in Maine to remain continuously AMGA accredited. We have had one or more AMGA rock guides on staff each year since 1994.
PCIA Accredited
• Since 2007 •
AMGCS has the distinction of also being accredited to the highest standards of the Professional Climbing Instructors Association. The PCIA requires all staff to be individually trained and certified.
