Canoe and Hiking Guide - Discounted WFR Certification Available for ABAK Guides!
Celebrating 21 years of Small Group Wilderness Adventures from Ocean to Ice!
- summer
- Location:
- Auke Bay, Alaska and Juneau, Alaska
- Wages/Pay:
- $18.00 / hour + tips
- Experience:
- Some experience required
- Start Date:
- Starts soon! (Apr 24, 2023)
Above and Beyond Alaska (ABAK) is seeking exceptional Canoe and Hiking Guides to join our seasonal team in Juneau, Alaska. ABAK has been facilitating outdoor adventure experiences on the ocean and ice for 21 years and employs 40 seasonal team members from April-September.
Our guides embody Above and Beyond Alaska’s dedication to safety, customer service, and environmental conservation. New ABAK guides must be able to participate in a pre-season training program in mid/late April to learn or develop technical skills, natural history knowledge, and superior customer service strategies.
The vast majority of ABAK glacier tours operate on the Mendenhall Glacier, accessing this magnificent feature by foot and large canoes. Guides will be trained in specific tours and technical skills that correspond with their ability level and motivation to grow. Additionally, guides will develop a formidable knowledge of the unique rainforest and glacial ecosystems and geographical features.
Canoe and Hiking Guides will also be expected to assist in support operations at our warehouse throughout the season. These duties include prep equipment/gear and food for trips, engage guests, help maintain operational zones, assist the operations team with daily logistics, transport guests, and fuel and clean vans.
General Duties Include, but are not limited to…
- Guide 6–10-hour technical hiking or canoeing for up to 7 clients while maintaining safety protocol, superior customer service, and providing natural history narrative.
- Facilitate tours in accordance with ABAK safety protocol while providing superior customer service and providing natural and cultural history narrative
- Prepare equipment and food for assigned trips, process used gear post-trip, make repairs as needed, and maintain a clean workspace.
- Actively contribute to a collaborative team environment in the field and company headquarters.
- Provide transportation to clients in company vans to and from downtown Juneau.
- Loading kayaks/canoes and lifting heavy gear up to 50 lbs. in all operational zones.
- Pack, clean, repair, and maintain ABAK outdoor apparel, equipment, facilities and vessels.
General Requirements:
- High School Diploma – Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in preferred
- US Citizen OR Be Eligible to Work in the US
- Exceptional customer service skills
- Wilderness First Responder Certification or higher (valid through September 30, 2023)
- Driver’s License and Clean Driving Record for past 5 years (valid through September 30, 2023)
Preferred Qualifications
- Canoeing – Basic Skills, Safety, and Self Rescue Techniques
- Knowledge of Southeast Alaska ecosystems, wildlife, and glacial environments
- Technical Skills (Rappelling, Self-Ascension, V-Thread, Simple and Complex Pulley Systems, Anchor Building, Top Rope Site Management, Belaying, And More)
- Experience working in the service industry
Training: Canoe and Hiking Guides must participate in mandatory paid training at the start of the season. Training includes canoe skills and rescue technique, rope skills, naturalist training, critical incident response, and zone familiarization.
Start Date: April 24, 2023 – September 30, 2023
Compensation:
$18/hour + tips
Bonus: Guides who fulfill the terms of their employment agreement are eligible for an end-of-season bonus that is based on 3% of gross wages.
Perks:
- Competitive Pay
- Optional 401K plan
- End of Season Bonus
- Pro-Deal Purchasing Privileges
- Free Trips for you, your friends and family on a space-available basis
- Paid Training (Preseason, and Ongoing throughout the Season)
- Free or Discounted Trips with participating tour operators (whale watching, helicopter flights, etc.)
- Free Use of Kayaks, Paddleboards, and an array of outdoor gear
- Discounted flights with our partner, Alaska Seaplanes and standby fights with Alaska Airlines and Delta
- Free fitness membership during the summer months
Living in Juneau:
Our landscape is diverse - when you are not kayaking to an uninhabited island or exploring the deep blue on a glacier, hike to the top of the Coastal Mountains on Juneau's seemingly endless trail system or find a remote beach at the end of our road system. The outdoor enthusiast will find no shortage of activities to fill their free time, or companions to recreate with. We strive to schedule 1 - 2 days off per week throughout the summer so our team can relax, recharge, and explore.
Employee Housing:
We provide campground housing for an additional fee. You can pitch a tent, drive your car, or bring an RV/Camper up to Juneau and you can park it at our partner campground for the summer. It is also pet friendly.
Juneau is a seasonal destination for government workers in the winter, and tourism-based crews in the summer. While ample housing is available for seasonal workers, the best opportunities go fast! Upon hire, we recommended pursuing housing opportunities immediately - we can help connect you with realistic housing options, and will do everything we can to help you find a place to lay your head.