OARS Experienced Guides

Our guide positions are currently filled for the 2025 season, however, we are interested in receiving and reviewing applications year-round.

Prior to filling out an application, please familiarize yourself with our seven regional outposts referenced in the comparison chart below, sample itineraries available on our website, and our Hiring and Guide School FAQs . Each of our regional management teams conducts their own hiring and this research will help you identify your preference on where your application should be sent by priority.

Becoming familiar with our locations and trips will also help you determine if your previous experience is appropriate for the role you are applying.

• For example, if a guide who has experience running day-trips only selects an operation that runs day-trips that guide is likely a strong candidate with the prospect of less training time.
• Alternatively, if that same candidate selects an operation that runs exclusively multi-day trips, that guide will have more competition for the job and should expect a more prolonged training period if hired.
• While we consider applicants who are trying to grow from day-trips to multi-day; or Class 3 to Class 4; or non-commercial (school-based/private) experience to the commercial setting, applying to an area where your experience is applicable increases your chances of employment.

Application process:

• Receive a response within a few days that we have received your application
  • If your application is received outside of October-April, you may experience a delay before receiving a personalized response.
• Your application is sent to your 1st choice location for initial screening. If you fit their needs you will hear from that location’s management team.
  • If your application does not meet the needs of your 1st choice it will be passed to your 2nd, then 3rd respectively.
• Each area does this next step slightly different, however you will be contacted by the management team who will share more information about that region and ask followup questions to the application
• Request for interview
• Reference checks
• Job offer and background checks
• Acquire all certifications needed for hiring location
• Welcome to OARS!

All newly-hired guides will be expected to attend one of our company-wide risk management/human resource trainings offered at each location. Even if you have extensive experience as a guide, each area will require a level of training prior to working trips for OARS. This will be discussed in your interview prior to hire.

OARS is looking for professional, safety-oriented, exciting guides to join our team while being intentional about diversifying our workforce. OARS guides combine a passion for the outdoors with compassion for our guests, a desire to learn with the talent to teach and a flexible attitude with a steadfast commitment to conservation. OARS guides deliver the highest levels of service because we love what we do, we love the undeniably special places we visit, and we love having a positive impact on the lives of others.

These requirements are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, so if you have ~75% of the requirements listed we encourage you to apply. Your “experience” below refers to paid and unpaid experience, including private trips, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translate directly to this position. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

• Minimum of CPR, epinephrine auto-injector, and First-Aid level as follows:
  • Wilderness First Responder or greater is required for multi-day guides.
    • CA Guides are required to have minimum WFA and we strongly encourage WFR.
  • Wilderness First Aid or greater is required for one-day guides.
  • Swiftwater training (for whitewater guides)
• Communication, Customer service, and People skills
• Understanding of natural history
• Ability to work with a wide array of demographics including varieties in age, race, culture, etc.
• Willingness to work all aspects of the job
• Capable of working long hours
• Physically fit-water…