HAINES CANOE GUIDE JOB DESCRIPTION
TIMEFRAME: April – October
QUALIFICATIONS: CPR & First Aid Certifications
JOB DESCRIPTION
Alaska Mountain Guides (AMG) operates a canoeing program for guests on cruise ship-based day trips. The trips operate on Chilkoot Lake near Haines, Alaska. Guests participating in one of our tours are greeted by their guides at the dock in Haines and transported to the lake. During transit, the guide provides a variety of interpretive information about Haines and the surrounding area in addition to information on the mountains, geology, and natural environment of the region. Once we reach the lake, guests unload in a parking area and are issued rubber boots, PFDs, canoe paddles, and rain ponchos (based on the weather). The guests then receive a safety briefing and instruction from the lead guide before boarding the 31 ft voyageur canoes. The guide gives paddle instructions and operates a 4 or 6 horsepower outboard motor to navigate the lake for about 2 hours. The daily schedule allows for a guide to work up to three canoe trips in a day, although this scenario is unlikely.
Additionally, canoe guides will be asked to cross-train and have the ability to work kayaking trips within the company. The trips are held either in the ocean fjord or Chilkoot Lake near Haines, Alaska. Kayak guides are responsible for driving guests to and from the lake or our beach staging area, equipping guests with PFD’s and paddles, performing safety talk, instruct guests on proper paddling technique, leading guests while on the water, emergency response, site setup/takedown, daily maintenance, and assisting in other areas of the company as needed.
REQUIREMENTS
- Be at least 19 years old.
- The ability to carry up to 60 lbs of gear repeatedly throughout the day.
- Proof of medical certification - minimum of basic first aid and CPR. Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is strongly preferred. (Offered in house at a discounted rate for employees)
- Good leadership skills, ability to communicate and facilitate groups up to 40 people.
- Completion of AMG Canoe and Kayak Program training. Training is generally 7 days but may be longer. Training will include policies and procedures, maintenance, rescue techniques and practice, and emergency response.
JOB DUTIES
- Guest safety first, then engage guests with questions, entertain guests, and last but not least, educate guests about the area.
- Greet clients, facilitate introductions, get clients excited for canoeing/kayaking.
- Collect waivers, tickets and make sure all guests have signed waivers.
- Outfit clients with PFDs and paddles (with instruction on wear and fit).
- Give safety talk to clients and brief canoeing/kayaking instructions – complete safety talk checklist.
- Help load and unload gear while keeping the guests engaged.
- Maintain group control and spacing while getting guests geared up and while kayaking.
- Follow a tight time schedule and be on time with your trips.
- Complete appropriate guide checklists at the end of each shift.
- Perform repairs on gear as needed.
- Complete appropriate driver checklists & paperwork at the end of each shift.
- Possess a friendly, outgoing and professional demeanor at all times during interactions with the guests and other AMG employees.
- Attention to safety, including learning and appropriately demonstrating the Canoe Safety Talk, staying close to shore whenever possible, awareness of weather and lake conditions when making an open water crossing.
- Ability to canoe/kayak proficiently, perform self-rescues and assisted rescues (taught in training).
ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS
- Assist with other jobs/projects as needed by Alaska Mountain Guides administration, this may include but is not limited to:
- Driving vehicles with guests or with our equipment.
- Cleaning/maintaining gear, vehicles and warehouse.
- Assisting with grounds/lodging maintenance, cleaning, and general support.
- Must at all times be clean, well groomed, courteous, honest, and reliable.
- Must possess the desire to continually improve his/her knowledge and skills.
- The ability to be flexible with schedules and adapt to changes, sometimes with short notice, is a requirement and expectation of your employment.
- 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.
- You will be expected to cross train and take additional training to expand your opportunities and provide greater flexibility. This will include hike tours, bus tours, wildlife tours, dock rep responsibilities, etc.
- Some travel may be required between Skagway and Haines.
- Guides over the age of 19 are expected to obtain a commercial drivers license with airbrakes and passenger endorsement. We will assist with training and reimburse any licensing costs.
For CDL Driving
- Must obtain and maintain a valid Class B CDL with Passenger and Airbrakes endorsements.
- Must be willing to contribute to bus driving duties for these and other tours.
- 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).
LIVING SPACE 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) 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. 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
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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.