INFORMATION FOR RAFT GUIDES

Thank you for your interest in raft guide training. The Zoar Employment Application is due by February 15th for our upcoming season.

After we receive all job applications, we set up group interviews for the best qualified applicants. It is on the basis of your interview that we determine whether to invite you to training. We will contact you to let you know whether we would like to set up an interview with you or not by February 19th.

WHO WE ARE

We are New England’s Leader in Outdoor Adventure. We offer canoe and kayak instruction, rock climbing instruction, whitewater rafting, sit-on-top kayak rentals and accommodations in our campground or lodge.

• We create outdoor recreation experiences that improve the lives of our guests, our staff and the community.
• We build positive relationships with our guests through being personable, friendly and flexible.
• We love the outdoors and enjoy the opportunity to foster this love in others.
• We take a team approach by striving to allow each person to contribute according to his or her specific talents.

OUR GUESTS

Most of our guests have never been rafting. They range in age from 5 to 70 years. We take a lot of families and couples. We often run group trips with schools, camps, scouts, and churches. We build positive relationships with our guests through being personable and friendly. We are respectful and flexible in all our dealings and strive to be responsive to the needs of our guests, staff and community.

WHO IS A ZOAR OUTDOOR RAFT GUIDE?

Our goal is to enhance people’s lives through sharing the sports we are passionate about. We truly believe that everyone can power their own adventure at the level they desire. We work as a team and act with integrity toward customers and each other and understand that our behavior reflects on Zoar as a whole as well as ourselves. We are upbeat, flexible, enjoy teaching and have a good sense of humor.

OUR RAFTING PROGRAM

We run raft trips on the Deerfield River from April 15 through October 15; on the Millers River, Bulls Bridge section of the Housatonic and the Concord River in early April, and on the West River in Vermont on the last weekends of April and September. All trips are run by advance reservation and go rain or shine.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Basic first aid and CPR (current for the entire season), and outdoor leadership skills are required. Raft guides must be at least 18 years of age prior to the first day of work and eligible for work in the United States without our sponsorship. First year guides need to commit to at least 35 days of work during the season.  Before you are paid to guide guests, you must complete all required paperwork and train a minimum of 8 days, more if necessary.

It is possible for applicants with prior experience to apply for a truncated training program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A raft guide generally works from 8:45 am - 5:00 PM. Guides are expected to be focused on our guests. In that context the job involves; loading equipment, packing lunch, registering guests, being aware of safety on your raft, conducting paddling drills for guests in your raft, setting up lunch, putting equipment away, cleaning up lunch and trash at the end of the day, maintaining wetsuits and other gear, running slide shows, and driving shuttles. Guides are responsible for obtaining the required personal equipment: a helmet, proper footgear and whitewater clothing (your own splash jacket, wetsuit/drysuit and booties), a whistle, a knife, disposable rubber gloves, CPR shield, 2 carabiners with a prussik, and a type III PFD.

PAPERWORK

You will be asked to complete a W-4 tax form and an I-9 immigration form with proof of citizenship. All employees are paid above board. We do not barter or pay cash. If you are receiving unemployment benefits, your earnings at Zoar Outdoor will be reported.

2008 TRAINING

The cost of training is $80.00/person. If you are invited to training, wetsuits, jackets, booties, helmets, and PFDs will be available during the training sessions. Please bring your own lunch, towel, bathing suit, wool socks, sweaters, polypro and other non-cotton layers to wear with our wetsuits. You must have your own personal equipment by the first day you work, which you can purchase from our Outfitters Shop.

2008 SPRING TRAINING DATES

March 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 29-30 and April 26 ; Each day lasts from 8:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Best of luck with your application,

Kevin McMillan

Director of Rafting Programs