Raft & Kayak Tour Guide Position
Raft Guides & Guided Kayak Guides
Thank you for your interest in becoming part of the rafting department at Zoar Outdoor! This is an outdoor customer service position with an athletic element and a training program like no other. We hire for personality and character, and train for skill.
Entry-level guides require no prior experience, advanced river guides should have prior class IV experience.
Our guides are a mosaic of personality, ages, and backgrounds brought together by a common love of the outdoors and their servant’s heart. We are currently accepting applications for our spring training sessions. Training sessions and application deadlines are listed below.
Shifts and schedules vary, and our scheduling process is flexible, accommodating staff seeking seasonal full or part-time employment. Applications received after our spring deadlines will be held until our next available training session or shared with other departments still hiring. We periodically hire guides with prior experience throughout the season.
Our season runs from April 1st-the October holiday weekend. Guides need to be 18 years old by their first day of work.
Benefits
This isn’t just a job, it’s part of a lifestyle that values culture, community, connection, and relationships. We celebrate this community with monthly staff get togethers, staff trips, and outings.
Advocating for our programming is part of the job, and as a staff member, you’ll have the opportunity to raft, zip, and kayak for no cost. In addition, we offer flexible scheduling, competitive pay, training stipends, discounts, pro-deals, photos for friends and family, and great co-workers.
Training
All whitewater gear is available during training. After training, guides are responsible for obtaining their own river attire and all essential state-required equipment: a helmet, a whistle, a knife, 2 carabiners, a prusik, and a type III PFD. Staff discount for required equipment is available after the first two days of training.
The expectation is that new staff attend all training days unless your prior whitewater or professional career experience warrants a truncation or alternative training schedule. Makeup training dates and all training adjustments will be determined by the rafting manager on a case by case basis. Each training day lasts from 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.
2024 Raft Guide Training Session
TBD
Application deadline – Applicants are encouraged to apply before March 15th. These positions will be open until filled. Positions are limited.
2024 Guided River Kayaking Training
Each season we hire 1-2 people to be full or near full-time trip leaders for our Guided River Kayaking program. Training, training dates, and the number of training days are personalized to fit the applicant’s schedule and level of whitewater experience.
Qualifications and required equipment are the same as rafting. Applicants must have a good driving record and willing to learn driving with a trailer. Past kayaking experience -whitewater, flat water, or saltwater- is preferred, but we would be happy to train the right candidate on all required skills.
Application deadline – Applicants are encouraged to apply before March 15th. These positions will be open until filled. Positions are limited.