Summer 2026 - Pay Rubric
Effective June 8, 2026 • Certification-Based & Returning Staff Add-Ons
We use a structured pay rubric to keep compensation fair and consistent. The rubric reflects relevant training, certifications, and experience. This rubric applies to Summer Camp 2026 roles in the Bay Area.
Guide Pay Structure
Summer 2026 Guide pay is determined by role scope, relevant training and experience, certifications, and approved qualifications.
Compensation
- Hourly Rate: $22.00–$24.00/hour
- Training Rate: California Minimum Wage
All training hours are paid at minimum wage and do not include certification add-ons. Base pay and add-ons apply only during active program assignments.
Certification Pay Bumps
Base pay begins at $22.00/hour. Approved add-ons may increase your rate based on relevant certifications and prior Trackers experience, up to a cap of $24.00/hour.
| Certification | Pay Bump |
|---|---|
| Returning Bonus (per 8 summer weeks worked, max 1 credit per season) | +$0.25/hr |
| Wilderness First Aid (WFA)* | +$0.25/hr |
| USA Archery or NASP Level 1 Instructor* | +$0.25/hr |
| CyberTracker Track & Sign (Level II or higher) | +$0.25/hr |
| 9-Month Wilderness Immersion Program | +$0.25/hr |
| FEMA ICS 100 & 200* | +$0.25/hr |
| Trackers Van & Trailer Driver Certification (21 years +)* | +$0.25/hr |
| ACA Instructor – Level 1 or 2 (Canoe or Kayak) | +$0.25/hr |
| Hunter's Safety Instructor Certification | +$0.25/hr |
| AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) | +$0.25/hr |
| Lifeguard Certification with Waterfront Module | +$0.25/hr |
| First Responder (Past 8 Years) or U.S. Armed Forces Veteran | +$0.25/hr |
| State Teaching Certification (K–12, current or expired within 5 years) | +$0.50/hr |
| Wilderness First Responder (WFR)* | +$0.50/hr |
| First Aid/CPR Instructor | +$0.50/hr |
| Archery Instructor Trainer (USA Archery or NASP)* | +$0.50/hr |
| Swiftwater Rescue Technician | +$0.50/hr |
| Incident Qualification Certification (Red Card)* | +$0.50/hr |
| CDL with Passenger Endorsement (large school bus-size vehicles)* | +$2.50/hr |
*Stacking Rules (What Doesn't Combine)
Not all certification pay bumps can be combined. Some credentials cover the same or higher-level training, so only the larger bump applies.
- WFA does not stack with WFR. (If you hold WFR, the WFA bump does not apply.)
- ICS 100/200 does not stack with Red Card. (Red Card replaces the ICS bump.)
- USA Archery/NASP Level 1 does not stack with Archery Instructor Trainer. (Trainer replaces Level 1.)
- Trackers Van & Trailer Driver Certification does not stack with CDL with Passenger Endorsement. (CDL replaces Van/Trailer.)
Other certifications may stack if they are in distinct skill areas (e.g., Lifeguard + Swiftwater, Teaching Certification + WFR).
Certification Requirements
Detailed criteria for all accepted certifications and qualifications.
Quarterly Certification Review & Pay Updates
Trackers reviews and updates certification-based pay rates quarterly. To be considered for a pay bump, certifications must be submitted before the end of the quarter with proper documentation and are subject to HR approval. Approved certifications take effect in the first pay period of the following quarter.
Documentation must include:
- A copy of the official certificate or license
- Dates of completion and expiration (if applicable)
- Name of the issuing organization or agency
Pay increases are not retroactive. For short-term or seasonal-only roles, increases may not take effect unless returning for a future program.
Seasonal Longevity Pay Bump – Summer Only
- Staff earn a pay increase for every 8 full weeks worked during the summer season, up to one credit per summer
- Applies only to weeks worked in Trackers summer programs
- Maximum of one 8-week credit per summer, regardless of total weeks worked
- Weeks may be across multiple roles or locations but still count as a single summer credit
- Longevity bumps are cumulative across summers and applied to future seasons
- Example: An educator works 10 weeks in their first summer and receives one bump for future seasons. In their second summer, they work 8 more weeks and earn another bump, bringing their total longevity increase by their third summer.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
- Minimum 16 hours
- Recognized providers: NOLS, WMA, SOLO, etc.
- Not stackable with WFR
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
- Minimum 70+ hours
- Recognized providers: NOLS, WMA, SOLO
- Includes trauma, evacuation, and backcountry decision-making
USA Archery or NASP Level 1 Instructor
- Must be current and from a national program
- Includes range safety and youth instruction
Archery Instructor Trainer (USA Archery or NASP)
- Must be a certified Instructor Trainer or Basic Instructor Trainer
- USA Archery: Level 2 or higher with instructor trainer endorsement
- NASP: Basic Archery Instructor Trainer (BAIT)
- Authorized to train and certify new instructors under official archery programs
- Must maintain active standing and agree to provide instruction to Trackers staff at their regular hourly or salaried rate; course must be registered with the certifying organization
CyberTracker Track & Sign (Level II or higher)
- Evaluation must be through a certified CyberTracker Evaluator
- Level II demonstrates solid field interpretation skills
9-Month Wilderness Immersion Program
- Must include one immersive weekend per month
- Includes bushcraft, tracking, survival, foraging, and mentoring
- Recognized programs: Trackers Earth, Wilderness Awareness School (WA), Earth Native School, Jack Mountain Bushcraft (ME), Teaching Drum (WI), Roots Vermont, and others reviewed upon request
FEMA ICS 100 & 200
- Free online through FEMA
- Covers incident response structure and leadership in emergencies
- Applies to all program sites for risk and communication clarity
Incident Qualification Certification (Red Card)
- Must have held a valid Red Card within the past 10 years
- Must include completion of required fire and ICS courses (S-130, S-190, L-180, ICS 100/200/700) and successful Arduous Pack Test (45 lb pack, 3 miles in under 45 mins)
- Issued by a sponsoring agency (e.g., USFS, state fire agency)
- Not stackable with FEMA ICS 100 & 200
Trackers Van & Trailer Driver Certification (21 years +)
- Must be 21 or older
- Must complete Trackers internal driver safety and trailer towing training
- Certification covers safe operation of vans and utility trailers used for student transport and gear
- CDL not required
- Priority may be given in hiring and scheduling due to transportation responsibilities
CDL with Passenger Endorsement (Large School Bus-Size Vehicles)
- Valid CDL with "P" or "S" endorsement
- Qualified to operate full-size school buses (does not require school-bus specific cert)
- Actively driving or on-call
- Must meet Trackers safety, MVR, and compliance standards
American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor – Level 1 or 2
- Must hold a current ACA instructor certification in canoeing or kayaking
- Certification must include water safety and rescue protocols
- Recognized for educators leading paddle-based or waterfront programs
Hunter's Safety Instructor Certification
- Must be a certified Hunter Education Instructor through a state-recognized wildlife agency (e.g., Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
- Includes firearm safety, ethical hunting practices, and field instruction for youth and adults
- Certification must be current and verifiable
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI)
- Current certification through American Mountain Guides Association
- Valid for managing top-rope climbing and site-based instruction
Lifeguard Instructor with Waterfront Module
- Must be a certified Lifeguard Instructor authorized to train and certify others in waterfront lifeguarding, including flatwater rescue scenarios (lakes, ponds, slow rivers)
- Through the American Red Cross, YMCA, or Ellis & Associates (E&A)
- Must maintain active instructor status with the certifying body
- Authorized to certify Trackers staff in waterfront lifeguarding; must register courses through the issuing organization and agree to instruct staff at their standard pay rate; participant certification fees handled through the certifying body
Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT-1 or higher)
- Must hold current certification through a recognized provider (e.g., Rescue 3 International, ACA, or equivalent)
- Certification includes in-water rescue techniques, rope systems, and river hazard recognition
- Valid for educators working in or near moving water, especially paddlecraft or overnight expedition programs
- Certification must be current and meet minimum field hour requirements
State Teaching Certification
- Current or expired within the last 8 years
- Valid in any U.S. state for grades K–12
- Includes student teaching or supervised practicum
- Applies to General Ed, Special Ed, and subject-specific licensure
First Aid/CPR Instructor
- Must be a certified instructor through a recognized organization such as the American Red Cross, Health & Safety Institute (HSI/ASHI), or American Heart Association (AHA)
- Authorized to teach and certify Trackers staff in First Aid, CPR/AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) as required
- Instructor must maintain active certification and agree to train Trackers staff at their standard pay rate; course registration and participant certification fees are handled through the issuing organization
First Responder (Past 8 Years) or U.S. Armed Forces Veteran
- Applies to staff with documented experience as a U.S. military veteran (honorable or general discharge), regardless of discharge date
- Or: documented service within the past 8 years as a firefighter, EMT/paramedic, law enforcement officer, or Search & Rescue team member
- Experience must be verifiable. This bump recognizes leadership, resilience, and community service