Hike and Float Rafting Guide

Overview

SKAGWAY CHILKAT GUIDES RAFTING 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.

Description of Guided Programs: Chilkoot Trail Hike & Float & Scenic Drive Excursions

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 required 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.

• 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 required for this guiding position. The company provides all these courses in Skagway/Haines upon arrival.
• Must have a valid REAL r's license.

• Responsible for safety and satisfaction of up to ten guests at a time while guiding alone.
• Ability to follow a strict daily schedule.
• Responsible for cleanliness and excellent maintenance of gear, trail, put-ins, and take-outs.
• Responsible for preventative measures to avoid injury from over-use of your muscles.
• 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 your clients.
• Must possess the desire to continually improve your knowledge on the area and skills on the river.
• 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.
• Hike & Float Guides report to the Skagway Hike & Float Manager and Skagway Operations Manager.

Early to mid-June through late-August is the height of the cruise line season. In this period, staff will be required to work 40+ hours a 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 a commitment to being a strong team member are required from the staff to meet the demand of our cruise line clients and other long trip programs.

PROFESSIONALISM

All employees represent the company…