5 Places to look for Employers That Appreciate Diversity in the Outdoor Industry
Photo credit: Canva. Graphic Design: Sarai Pak
Finding the right job in the Outdoor Industry can be an overwhelming process. Knowing what kind of positions you’re looking for, or even what job boards to use to find them, is daunting. Lizzy Markman from Darby Communications can elaborate on the idea that sometimes the jobs listed are outdated or only available to those with social media. “The outdoor industry is hard to navigate without a mentor or person who has done it before you,” she admits, stating that she encourages job seekers to reach out to people in the field they’re interested in.
But there’s an added layer for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC job seekers who are looking for a safe and diverse career. For many, the Outdoor Industry can feel closed off and exclusive to certain demographics. How can you know the job boards you’re using are truly accepting of all applicants? Luckily, there are some incredible people and platforms out there displaying jobs that promote inclusion in the workplace. Here is a list of five job boards that promote and encourage diversity in the outdoor industry.
1. The Pledge/ In Solidarity Job Board
“Find jobs from employers that value diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces,” is one of the first things you read when you visit the In Solidarity Job Board. With the words “Outdoor and Travel Industry Jobs” stated above that in bold, it’s enough to get any nature-loving job seeker excited. The neat thing about In Solidarity, besides its dedication to equity and inclusion, is the vast amount of job positions they promote. Scrolling through positions in IT, Customer Service, and Engineering, the variety of jobs offered on the site is immediately apparent.
This platform is perfect for those who may not be totally sure what areas of the outdoor industry they’re looking to get into. With an arrangement of businesses like GoPro, Simms Fishing Productions, and the California Native Plant Society, it’s meant to accommodate any field of interest, making this job board just as diverse as the people using it.
2. Greening Youth Foundation Careers
By promoting careers in biology, sociology, history, and science, the Greening Youth Foundation has always made its central mission to encourage HBCUI (Historically Black Colleges, Universities, and Internships) students and marginalized youth to connect with the environment. With a special relationship with State and National Park agencies, GYF job seekers can be assured that they will find opportunities that promote a more sustainable and protected future for nature.
Getting involved in the Park System can be an overwhelming feat as they are often seen as exclusive and coveted positions. The Greening Youth Foundation eases that hesitation by assuring its job seekers that they do belong in these positions and that GYF can help them get there.
3. LGBTQIA+ Outdoor/Environmental Job Board
The LGBTQIA+ Outdoor/Environmental Job Board is getting a massive make-over as it continues to offer job seekers a chance to connect with inclusive outdoor industry careers. It began as a list of over 2,400 inclusive outdoor and environmental jobs from Washington to Maine, conservation corps to clothing companies. Soon it will become a website dedicated to the same powerful purpose.
The cool thing about this platform is that it provides a unique chance for job seekers to list their own information, identities, talents, and focus. This offers career changers an opportunity to not only scroll through potential job matches but also to showcase their own skills. Employers also have the unique ability to find the right applicant by letting the applicant speak for themselves.
PattieGonia, the creator of the LGBTQIA+ Outdoor/Environmental Job Board, sums up the purpose of this platform in her own words. “This is a free tool that companies and orgs can use to reach queer job applicants and also a tool that queer job applicants can use to connect to companies and organizations that are looking for them.With the new website launching in late June, it’s sure to continue connecting inclusive employers to outstanding employees.”
4. Camber Outdoors Job Board
Like many of the other job boards listed, Camber Outdoors greets its job seekers with a pledge to inclusion and diversity in the workforce. As the website states, the jobs they promote “...know they will drive greater innovation and solve bigger problems when they attract, retain, and advance diverse talent.”
This platform is great for those looking to work for a particular brand as most jobs are categorized by company or corporation. And with over 250 businesses to choose from, you are never short of places to apply. For example, REI, Black Diamond, and Gear Aide are listed on Chamber Outdoors as well as organizations like Arizona Conversation and Oregon Outdoor School, which focus less on brands and more on education. Whatever sector you seek, Camber Outdoors is here to connect you to the right company.
5. Green Jobs Board
While diversity is not the main claim for this job board, it’s still a great resource for growing your career in the environmental industry. With affiliations with big-name groups like the Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth, you’re sure to connect to organizations that have a history in environmental protection and conservation.
This job board is a great option for those looking to step into a serious full-time career in the environmental industry as a lot of the jobs listed are for degree-holding or experienced professionals. With titles like Manager, Director, Organizer, and Coordinator, these are positions that will immerse you in the science, policy, and technology behind outdoor recreation and preservation.
Other Mentions
Basecamp Outdoor: https://www.wearetheoutdoorindustry.com/
Justice Outside: https://justiceoutside.org/about/employment/
Outdoor Industry Jobs: https://www.outdoorindustryjobs.com/
The world of outdoor recreation and environmental employment is finally evolving, as National Park Rangers begin to reflect a more diverse demographic, and as companies start advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and spaces. Now, it’s true that some claims to inclusivity can feel, as Maria from Mind & Mountain puts it, “very performative”. In order to get a sense of whether a company truly appreciates and promotes diversity, she proposes that potential and current employees should blatantly ask companies “what actions they are taking to back-up these acknowledgments.”
The outdoors is for everyone, and employment in the industry should always represent that. It’s job boards like the ones mentioned above that help make these changes possible by offering career seekers a safe and welcoming space to search and apply for jobs in the outdoor industry. Make sure to check out these incredible platforms next time you’re ready to switch careers, and never forget that you’re welcome and worthy of inclusion in the outdoor industry.
