Discover Careers
BEGIN YOUR SEARCH
If you’re curious about Vermont outdoor careers, you’ve come to the right place.
What is a Vermont Outdoor Career?
A better question might be what isn’t an outdoor career–that’s because outdoor recreation represents 4.8% of Vermont's GDP, the second highest ranking in the nation. An innovative, inclusive, and skilled outdoor workforce is key to growing Vermont’s outdoor economy and having a positive impact in Vermont’s communities from Bennington to Beecher Falls.
Outdoor careers are rooted in the more than 16,000 outdoor jobs across the state. Many are directly connected to outdoor recreation activities in the woods and waters, such as Adventure Guides, Event Directors, Photographers, and Trail Builders.
The workplaces of other outdoor professions are indoors but the outputs are just as essential from Finance to Human Resources, Customer Relations, and Information Technology.
Skill sets vary widely - from working with people to making, fixing or building things, to analyzing data or organizing lots of information.
Find the right high-pay, high-demand job which might be a Bicycle Mechanic or Snow Sport Technician, Facility Manager or Outdoor Educator, Gear & Apparel Designer or Marketing Professional.
Why a Vermont outdoor job? Working an outdoor job means making a difference - with expanding participation to finding solutions for climate change. It means sharing Vermont’s outdoor and healthy lifestyle and growing as a professional with the plethora of mentors and development opportunities.
THE LAND
An unparalleled natural landscape from the remote backcountry for camping to rushing rivers for paddling and quiet backyards for birding.
THE CULTURE
A diverse community finding joy, wellness, and curiosity in the outdoors and the work place.
THE CAREER
A myriad of jobs attract teams of energetic professionals offering career advancement within the state’s robust industry.
THE PURPOSE
Values-led employers dedicated to high quality products and experiences, contributing to vibrant communities, aspiring for equitable spaces, and solving climate challenges.
Watch Career Spotlights
We've set out to uncover the stories behind Vermont outdoor professionals who love their jobs. Learn about career journeys from education to experiences in the field, factory and shop. Technical outdoor jobs in construction, mechanics, instruction, and manufacturing are only a few of the many pathways within the highly diversified sector for living and working in Vermont.
Outdoor Careers
Adventure Guides*
Ski Technicians
Environmental Educators*
Facility Managers*
Finance Professionals*
Customer Service
Gear & Apparel*
Bicycle Mechanics*
Outdoor Educators*
Event Directors*
Photographers
Sustainability Specialists*
Trail Builders*
Conservation Technicians*
*Indicates a climate outdoor job based on the Climate Outdoors Workforce Initiative (COWI) Landscape Analysis (see below).
Climate Outdoors Workforce Initiative (COWI) Landscape Analysis
In the face of mounting climate change impacts, the Climate Outdoors Workforce Initiative (COWI) strengthens the knowledge, skills, and capacity of Vermont’s outdoor professionals to better face and recover from climate risks while attracting new workers into careers essential to Vermont’s adaptation and resilience. COWI aligns climate, workforce, and economic development initiatives from the State of Vermont and the outdoor economy.
The Vermont outdoor industry has long acknowledged that the climate is changing and has been adapting over time. The state is already experiencing heavier rain events year-round, shorter winters, and more extreme storms - involving flooding, ice, and power outages - plus increased wildfire smoke, heat, and drought cycles. In December 2025, VOBA published the Resilient Outdoor Assessment and Management to help the industry prepare to strengthen operations, protect assets, attract employees, and keep Vermont’s outdoor economy thriving.