Raft Guide

HAINES RAFT GUIDE JOB DESCRIPTION

TIMEFRAME: April - October

QUALIFICATIONS: Wilderness First Responder, CPR Certifications, Swift Water Rescue (We can assist in obtaining all certifications)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Haines Raft Guide’s main responsibility is to carry out the company’s mission of providing passengers with a safe, enjoyable, and educational wilderness experience. The Haines Raft Guide will lead passengers by raft through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve safely and enthusiastically with an ultimate goal of satisfied passengers at the end of each trip. Our rafts are 18 ft. oar-rigs and we will take up to 8 passengers at a time on either the Tsirku, the Klehini or the Chilkat Rivers. During our trips we will spend about 1.5 hours on the river and our guides will also be expected to help with the setting up and taking down of our rafting equipment. The Haines Raft Guide reports to the Haines River Manager, the Haines Program Manager and the Haines Program Assistant Manager.

JOB DUTIES

On tour:

• Maintain safety of guests at all times.
• Greet clients, facilitate introductions, get clients excited for rafting.
• Collect waivers, tickets and make sure all guests have signed waivers.
• Outfit clients in boots and PFD’s (with instruction on their wear and fit).

• Give safety talk to clients and complete safety talk checklist.
• Maintain group control and spacing while getting guests geared up and on the river.
• Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds repeatedly throughout each day. Must be able to carry loads over uneven ground.
• Help load and unload gear while keeping the guests engaged. Responsible for following a strict daily schedule.
• Complete appropriate guide checklists & paperwork at the end of each shift.

At all times:

• Assist with other jobs/projects as needed by CG administration, this may include but is not limited to:

• • Driving vehicles with guests or with our equipment.
  • Assisting with food prep for cruise tour programs.
  • Associated program maintenance needs.

• Must at all times be clean, well groomed, courteous, honest, and reliable.
• Must be willing to work as a strong team member, assisting in the maintenance of group morale.
• Must possess the desire to continually improve his/her knowledge and skills.

SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS 

• Completion of CG Haines program training which includes being checked off to guide 18 ft. oar-powered rafts through glacially braided river systems.
• Attention to safety, including learning and appropriately demonstrating the Raft Safety Talk, and having awareness of weather and river conditions and obstacles.
• Must be willing to learn how to drive our gear trucks and participate in gear truck operations. Diesel box trucks with raft trailers attached.
• Must be willing to obtain a valid Class B CDL and contribute to bus driving duties.

• Wear the appropriate company logo gear during the tour and follow the personal appearance guidelines.
• Good leadership skills, ability to communicate and facilitate groups up to 48 people.
• Be able to maintain a tight schedule-ensure your group stays on schedule throughout all aspects of the tour.
• Responsible for cleanliness and excellent maintenance of river gear, put-ins, and take-outs.
• Responsible for communicating all incidents to Haines Program Manager.

• Responsible for communicating all gear and vehicle issues to maintenance staff.
• Must be a good communicator with the willingness to teach and entertain his/her clients.
• Guides must demonstrate the ability to set up all of various site elements including tables, PFDs, food and follow low impact guidelines in bear country.

For CDL Driving

• Must obtain a valid Class B CDL and contribute to bus driving duties for these and other tours. Have and maintain a Class B CDL with Passenger and Airbrakes endorsement.
• Pass FMCSA required pre-employment drug tests & screening.
  
• Have and maintain a valid Medical Examiner’s Card.
• Completion of AMG Haines Driver training program (minimum of 8 hours).

WORKLOAD

The tourism season follows a cycle that controls workloads. Cruise ships start arriving in the first week of May and the season ends in the last week of September. Generally, employees will work from 20-30 hours/week in the shoulder months of May and September. Hours will increase through June to full capacity of 30-40 hours/week. These shoulder periods are an excellent time to tour the area and do some outdoor exploration. Early to Mid-June through Late August is the height of the cruise line season.  In this period guides may be required to work up to 40 hours/week. During the height of the season long periods of time off will likely not be able to be provided.  This is the heart of the season and flexibility and dedication are required from the staff to meet the demand of our cruise ship operations and our other long trip programs.

LIVING AND RENT STRUCTURE 

Haines housing options consist of our employee campground, we have a few campers/RVs for senior staff, and limited space for employees seeking to bring their own campervans/trailers/RVs, most 1st year staff camp in the wooded area encircling the campers/RV parking. The campground has (4) plumbed bathroom/shower units and a communal cooking area – due to the presence of bears in our area we prohibit cooking/food storage outside the communal cooking space. The campground is located on the same lot as our warehouse/office making the commute to work convenient for any staff planning to come to Alaska without a vehicle. The campground does not have laundry services, but there is a laundromat located within a short walk down the street. A guide room is located on the corner of the warehouse with access to WiFi.

Additional Notes 

• Rent deductions are made twice a month with 50% of the month’s rent deducted from the 1st and 2nd paycheck.
• Rent is prorated for the first month, rent for the last pay period will be deducted in full even if you vacate housing early.
• Employees must vacate housing within 48 hours of their final shift unless other arrangements have been approved by management.
• Pets – Must be approved by management, approval may be rescinded if your pet causes problems or is not friendly towards humans and other animals.
• Failure to abide by rules outlined in the employee manual and housing agreement may result in immediate expulsion from employee housing.

ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Employees may be called on to participate in other Haines programs at any time.  This may include but is not limited to: hiking tours, gear truck driving, CDL bus driving for other tours, vehicle maintenance, general driving duties, food prep, gear maintenance, and overall operational support.

The ability to be flexible with schedules and adapt to changes, sometimes with short notice, is a requirement and expectation of your employment.

Salary : $14