There are a couple of ways to become an instructor. The traditional way is to take a 35-day instructors course and then work one field course. This 17-day course gives you acknowledgement of what you already bring to the table, and helps you move quickly into the community of NOLS instructors. While many instructors enjoy the freedom contract work allows, one of the primary reasons they leave the school is a desire for a less transient lifestyle. Other reasons commonly cited include physical wear and tear, and the desire for more compensation or new challenges.
Instructors can combine field courses with in-town work as salaried faculty.
Salaried faculty positions range from admissions officers to program supervisors. These jobs provide benefits including paid travel, paid time off, group health insurance, and retirement. Instructors can also opt for annual field program positions which provide year-round field work along with group health insurance, travel reimbursement, paid training days and retirement. The number of qualified candidates for both salaried faculty and annual field program positions generally exceeds the actual number of jobs available. There are approximately 15 instructors in salaried faculty positions and 30 annual field program staff.