Expedition Leader (Spain)

STATUS: Actively Hiring for Current Openings

Natural Habitat Adventures is seeking experienced Expedition Leaders to guide our Northern Spain: Basque & Rioja Cultural Journeys starting in May 2028.

Our Cultural Journeys Expedition Leaders are highly skilled cultural interpreters, educators, and professional guides who are deeply passionate about the history, traditions, and communities they share with our guests. Combining cultural expertise and deep destination knowledge with exceptional guest service, they deliver engaging, insightful interpretation and create safe, meaningful small-group experiences that deepen travelers’ understanding of local cultures, customs, and ways of life while inspiring curiosity, appreciation, and respect.

Nat Hab selects Expedition Leaders for this itinerary through its hiring process, but schedules and compensates them in collaboration with a local operating partner.

To support local communities and provide guests with authentic local insight and cultural perspective, we prioritize hiring Expedition Leaders who are from the regions we travel to. Only candidates who are based in Spain and have professional guiding experience and deep destination knowledge in the Basque Country and Rioja Alavesa will be considered. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Spain.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Interpretation & Education

• Deliver engaging, accurate, research-based interpretation that aligns with the published guest itinerary and is tailored to each group’s interests, knowledge level, and field conditions.
• Lead educational formal presentations and informal field discussions that go beyond introductory-level information.
• Continue building destination knowledge and staying current with relevant developments in cultural heritage, regional affairs, and other itinerary-related subjects.

Guest Experience & Customer Service

• Lead exceptional guest experiences while creating a welcoming, inclusive, and cohesive group environment.
• Provide attentive, personalized service by anticipating and adapting to individual guest interests, needs, and abilities.
• Support guest preparedness and well-being, and communicate daily logistics, safety information, trip expectations, and changes clearly and professionally.
• Facilitate meaningful, respectful connections between guests, local communities, guides, partners and destinations.

Operations Logistics & Leadership

• Prepare for and lead the day-to-day execution of each trip, coordinating logistics, transportation, accommodations, meals, and itinerary adjustments as needed.
• Work collaboratively and respectfully with co-Expedition Leaders, fellow Field Team members, Nat Hab office staff, local vendors, and local operating partners as needed to ensure smooth trip operations.
• Maintain clear, timely, and professional communication before, during, and after assignments, and accurately complete required trip reports, incident documentation, and other administrative tasks as needed.

Safety, Problem Solving & Stewardship

• Prioritize guest safety through proactive risk management, sound judgment, and calm decision-making in changing conditions, while following applicable safety procedures and emergency response protocols, including appropriate incident management and reporting.
• Anticipate and resolve operational and guest-related challenges, including complex group dynamics and unexpected circumstances.
• Represent Natural Habitat Adventures’ standards and values by upholding company policies, Leave No Trace principles, and environmentally and culturally responsible travel practices, while treating local communities, cultural sites, wildlife, and natural environments with respect and care.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience & Education

• Applicants must have one or more of the following:
  • At least 5 years of professional experience leading multi-day, small-group tours;
  • A bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as cultural heritage, history, archaeology, anthropology, tourism, area studies, museum or heritage interpretation, or related fields; or
  • An equivalent combination of relevant education and professional guiding experience.
• Deep, nuanced knowledge of and passion for the Basque Country and Rioja Alavesa, including their cultural heritage, history, communities, gastronomy, wine and agricultural traditions, coastal and fishing heritage, distinctive language and regional identity, and contemporary context.
• Strong teaching, cultural interpretation, public speaking, storytelling, and presentation skills, with demonstrated experience communicating regional history, traditions, cultural practices, and the relationship between people, place, and identity clearly, accurately, and engagingly.
• Excellent customer service, communication, group management, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional, proactive, organized, adaptable, positive, and collaborative, with sound judgment, a high level of integrity and maturity, and the ability to remain patient, enthusiastic, and make thoughtful independent decisions under pressure.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required. Basque-language proficiency is strongly preferred.
• Professional guiding experience in the Basque Country and Rioja Alavesa, including the specific locations featured in the itinerary, is strongly preferred.
• Professional or academic research and fieldwork experience related to the itinerary’s cultural, historical, archaeological, anthropological, or social context is preferred.
• Photography knowledge and experience providing professional photography instruction are preferred.

Physical Fitness

• Able to work long hours for multiple consecutive days in physically and mentally demanding travel and field environments.
• Able to comfortably and reliably meet all the minimum physical requirements outlined for this itinerary.

Credentials & Certifications

Before their first assignment, Expedition Leaders must hold a current Wilderness First Aid certification, or a local outdoor first aid course equivalent with at least 16 instructional hours, and CPR certification. Both certifications must include an in-person skills component; fully online courses are not accepted.

Expedition Leaders must also hold any licenses, permits, accreditations, or other credentials required by local law, the local operating partner, or the destination.

Unless otherwise specified, Expedition Leaders are responsible for scheduling, completing, and covering the cost of required training and certifications.

SCHEDULING & AVAILABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Expedition Leaders are assigned to individual trips throughout the operating season based on departure dates, destination needs, and operational requirements. This is not necessarily a full-season role.

Applicants should expect long, active workdays for multiple consecutive days while on assignment, with variable and sometimes limited time off between trips. Preference may be given to applicants who are flexible throughout the typical operating season for this itinerary and available to lead multiple departures.

Shared accommodations with a co-Expedition Leader, other Field Team member, or Nat Hab office staff may be required based on operational needs.

COMPENSATION & SUPPORT

This is an independent contractor role; Expedition Leaders are compensated on a trip-by-trip basis and are not employed in a full-time position.

Expedition Leaders are compensated at a competitive daily rate, commensurate with experience, plus gratuities, and may be eligible for annual rate increases based on performance.

Nat Hab provides required transportation, lodging, meals, and branded gear while on assignment. Lodging may be shared when required by operational needs.

Additional compensation may be available for selected Photo Expedition Leaders and approved visual-media contributions. Additional support includes learning stipends, gear discounts, and travel discounts.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
Natural Habitat Adventures is a growing company that welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. We seek to foster and maintain a welcoming, inclusive and high-performing culture in our office and in the field. Even if you don’t have experience in the travel sector, we invite you to show us how you can help Nat Hab become an even stronger company.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
This job description is intended only to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an incumbent in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills or abilities required of persons so classified or assigned. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Before submitting your application, please review the trip itinerary on Natural Habitat Adventures' website (linked above). Be sure you understand the trip experience, physical requirements, operating season, trip dates, and expectations of the Expedition Leader role.

Please submit all application materials in English.