Rafting & Canoe Guide

SKAGWAY CHILKAT GUIDES ADVENTURE GUIDE JOB DESCRIPTION

TIMEFRAME: April - October

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

As a Hike & Float Guide in Skagway, your main responsibility is to carry out the company’s mission of providing clients with a safe, enjoyable, and educational wilderness experience. You will lead clients up the Chilkoot Trail and down the Taiya River safely and enthusiastically with an ultimate goal of satisfied passengers at the end of each trip. Canoe guides will lead our Summit Lake Canoe excursion, taking guests on an unforgettable experience on the water in the Yukon’s pristine wilderness. 

Description of Guided Programs: Chilkoot Trail Hike & Float/Scenic Drive Excursions and Summit Lake Canoe Tour

Chilkoot Trail Hike & Float: Hike two miles of the historic Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Enjoy the exercise, fresh air, beautiful scenery, pristine forests, and history of a bygone era as the trail takes you up and over the 350' tall Saintly Hill. Where the trail reaches the banks of the Taiya River, you will board an 18-foot inflatable raft for a three-mile scenic float (no whitewater) back down to the tidal estuary where the forest gives way to fields of beach greens and wildflowers below the granite walls of the fjord that rise steeply to the snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers.

There are two variations on the Hike & Float Tour. Guests are able to book a float-only version, which is the tour as mentioned above without the hiking portion. Guests can also book a Hike & Float Summit Drive, which is the above description with a drive up the White Pass/Klondike Highway added at the end. For the summit drive, passports are for all guides and guests. 

Additionally, Hike & Float guides will train into the “Gear Guide” position. This is the behind-the-scenes role that ensures all rafts and gear are set and clean for guests when their hike ends. The gear position requires driving a box truck with a raft trailer attached and operating an electric or hand crank crane to load/unload rafts from the trailer.

Summit Lake Canoe: Guests participating in one of our tours are greeted by their guides at one of the three cruise ship docks in Skagway and transported to the site in 15 passenger vans. During transit, the guide provides a variety of historical information about Skagway and the surrounding area in addition to information on the mountains, geology, and natural environment of the region. The guides will also introduce AMG, the company background, and the variety of trips and programs that are offered. 

Once we reach the lake, guests unload in a parking area along the Klondike Highway and take a short hike to the lakeshore. Guests are issued rubber boot, PFDs, canoe paddle, fleece, 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. Refreshments and a snack are also included and consist of hot chocolate and a smoked salmon snack. The daily schedule allows for a guide to work up to three canoe trips in a day, although this scenario is unlikely. 

Summit Drive: Guests are met at the pier by the driver/guide. This is a narrated driving tour along the Klondike Highway to/from Carcross in the Yukon. Various roadside overlooks allow for multiple photo opportunities. Guides for this tour are expected to possess knowledge on a variety of topics in order to narrate and entertain guests for about 5 hours. We provide a bag lunch on this tour for all guests. Passports are for guests and guides on this tour. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Prior guiding, leadership, or tourism experience is helpful.


• Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds repeatedly throughout each day. 


• Must be able to carry loads over uneven ground. 


• Must possess strong work ethic. 

• Must be punctual. 


• Must be organized. 


• Must have great, positive attitude. 


• Must be comfortable speaking to large groups of people. 


• Must be willing to become, or be currently certified as, a Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and Swift Water Rescue. WFR or above is for this guiding position. The company provides all these courses in Skagway/Haines upon arrival. 

• Must have a valid REAL ID drivers license

JOB DUTIES

• Responsible for safety and satisfaction of each of your passengers throughout entire duration of tours. 


• Responsible for following a strict daily schedule. 


• Responsible for cleanliness and excellent maintenance of gear, trail, put-ins, and take-outs. 

• Responsible for communicating all incidents to Skagway Manager as soon as possible. 


• Responsible for communicating all gear and vehicle issues to manager. 


• Responsible for entering all hours on a daily basis into our online time clock system. 


• Must be a good communicator with the willingness to teach and entertain his/her clients. 


• Must possess the desire to continually improve his/her knowledge and skills. 

• Must at all times be clean, well groomed, courteous, honest, and reliable. 


• Must possess a positive attitude that is friendly, considerate, strong, and energetic. 


• Must be willing to work as a strong team member, assisting in the maintenance of group morale. 
  

WORKLOAD

The tourism season follows a cycle that controls workloads. Cruise ships start arriving in April and stop coming in October.  The shoulder periods of the season are an excellent time to check out the area and do some outdoor exploration. Early to Mid-June through late-August is the height of the cruising season.  In this period, guides will be required to work 40+ hours/week. During the height of the season, long periods of time off will likely not be approved.  This is the heart of the season so flexibility, dedication, and commitment to being a solid team member are from the staff to meet the demand of our cruise ship operations and our other long trip programs.

LIVING AND RENT STRUCTURE 

• Employee housing is located in downtown Skagway. The grocery store and other local attractions are within walking distance. Accommodations consist of shared rooms typically 2-4 beds per room, although the largest room is a 6-occupant bunkroom. Each house features shared bathrooms, a kitchen area, and living room. Employees residing in housing are expected to respect other and maintain a clean and respectable living area. Rent procedures are clearly outlined in the Employee Manual. The two downtown houses share a large yard with mountain views, providing a fantastic base for our team. Each house has a specific house manager who will be responsible for the weekly chore schedule and chore completion checkoffs. House managers will call attention to any issues within the housing unit and employees are encouraged to let their house manager know if they experience any issues.  


• 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.
  
  
  • There is limited space for people who drive to Skagway and wish to live in their vehicle. Additional info can be provided in an interview.
  
  
  • Employees must vacate housing within 48 hours of their final shift unless other arrangements have been approved by management.
  
  
  • Pets – No pets are allowed within any of the company housing. 
  
  
  • 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 Skagway or Haines programs at any time.  This may include but is not limited to; hiking tours, gear truck driving, vehicle maintenance, gear maintenance, general driving duties, 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.