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Arkansas Valley Adventure

Outdoor Recreation Jobs in the Heart of the Colorado Rockies!

We Guide Colorado!

AVA is a multi-sport, regional company located in central Colorado. We offer Class II-V whitewater rafting, ziplining, rappelling, and climbing. Throughout the existence of AVA, it’s been our goal to advance the industry of whitewater rafting and adventure companies. Whether it’s service, gear, our guides, our outposts or our website, we want to be the best. Plain and simple, we strive to set the bar.

We have outposts in Granite, Colorado (between Buena Vista and Leadville), Idaho Springs, Kremmling, and Breckenridge.

Rafting with AVA

Season Dates:

Our outposts - Granite Outpost (Arkansas River), Idaho Springs Outpost* (Clear Creek), and Kremmling Outpost (Colorado River) operate early May to Labor Day.

*The Idaho Springs Outpost Zipline also operates extended weekends in Spring/Fall.

Our Jobs

EXPERIENCED GUIDES (River, Zipline, Climbing)
We have a core staff of guides that have been with AVA for many years. We do, however, hire experienced guides each season to add to our knowledgeable staff. The number of guides and experience level we’re looking for changes each season. The best opportunities will arise if you apply early.

DRIVERS
Drivers applying to AVA must have a valid CDL license Class B with airbrake endorsement, clean driving record, and be willing to work as a team player. Drivers generally drive school buses, school buses with trailers, and vans with trailers. Driver jobs may be based in Granite (north of Buena Vista), Idaho Springs, Kremmling or Summit County. Must be available to work early May through Labor Day.

SALES AGENTS/RESERVATIONISTS
We're looking for outgoing, sales-oriented people to staff our reservations office in Breckenridge. Flexible schedules available; pay is hourly wage plus potential bonus tied to meeting team sales goals! If you love to talk to people about adventure and help them create fun vacations, please apply! Must have strong attention to detail and ability willing to work as member of a team. Positions starting March, April and May.

OFFICE STAFF
Working as part of the office staff at AVA is fun, fast-paced and offers something different each day! We will have 2013 positions available in Granite (Buena Vista), Idaho Springs and Kremmling. Office staff is responsible for general customer service duties, including but not limited to greeting and checking in guests before trips, selling retail goods, showing, selling and printing photos after trips, general cleaning duties inside and outside, restocking retail goods, and housekeeping for our cabins on site (Granite only). Our office staff is a vital point of human contact for our guests, and we consider this job to hold incredible importance! We search for fun-loving, capable folks with good attitudes, strong work ethics, and the ability to multi-task. Must be available to work early May through Labor Day; school starting dates are the only exception.

GUIDE SCHOOL - See Perks

Jobs in the Spotlight

Manage a retail/guest service center for a busy outdoor recreation outfitter!

Posted: Mar 19, 2013

Seasonal Professional - Assistant Retail Manager

Manage a commercial kitchen for a busy outdoor recreation outfitter!

Posted: Mar 19, 2013

Seasonal Professional - Food and Beverage Manager

Our Ideal Candidate

We are always looking for people who are energetic, enjoy being outdoors, and are hard-working team players to have an awesome summer of fun working as river guides, zipline guides, climbing guides, and support staff in 2013. Our ideal candidate is safety conscious, team oriented, responsible, personable, fit, hardy, entertaining and ready for a challenge.

Ziplining with AVA

Room and Board

AVA does not provide housing, although tent and car camping is available at our Granite Outpost. Some others rent a house/apartment in Buena Vista (15 minutes from AVA Granite) or Leadville (20 minutes from AVA Granite) or Idaho Springs or Kremmling.

Perks

AVA provides a 7% commitment bonus for all staff members that agree to and finish the entire season.

GUIDE SCHOOL
In 2013, AVA will be accepting about 15 people for our guide school based in Granite (Buena Vista) and about 8 people for our guide school based in Idaho Springs. Both will start with a week together at our Granite Outpost. No previous training on the river is necessary, although river experience, guide/leadership experience, guest service experience, or general water experience will be an asset for you. Guide school starts May 20, 2013 and lasts for three weeks. You must be able to attend the full length of guide school. There will be an additional 3 day Zipline training course included and offered with 2 course dates available. Guide School costs $500 per student and if you are invited to guide school your position will not be held until we receive payment. In order to participate in guide school you must have First Aid and CPR certification. This is not included in the price and should be completed prior to arrival.
Participation in AVA’s guide school does not guarantee you a job. Your employment with AVA is dependent on your performance in guide school, including but not limited to your ability to take guests safely down the river and to deliver the highest level of guest service. While we plan to hire all of our guide school participants each year, we cannot guarantee employment.

Getting Here and Getting Around

We have four outposts, all located within 1 to 3 hours drive west of Denver. The best way to get around in the Central Rockies is by car, but many guides have worked for AVA without transportation by simply relying on the good will of their fellow guides.

For Fun

Recreation abounds in the Central Rockies! The possibilities are literally endless. Hike the Colorado Trail, climb a 14er, see a show at Red Rocks Ampitheatre, or sample some of the many fine, local craft brews produced in the state to name a few.