Above & Beyond Alaska Wilderness Adventures

Profile Jobs

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 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: Glacier 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 15, 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 flights with Alaska Airlines and Delta 
• Free fitness membership during the summer months 
• Subsidized housing at a local campground

Above and Beyond Alaska (ABAK) is seeking exceptional Sea Kayak 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 an intensive pre-season training program in mid/end of April to learn or develop technical skills, natural history knowledge, and superior customer service strategies.   

Sea Kayak Guides facilitate tours on several remote and local coastal waterways, including the Channel Island State Marine Park, Admiralty Island, and Auke Bay. Sea Kayak Guides will be trained in specific tours, locations, and skills based on their ability level and motivation to grow. Additionally, guides will also develop a comprehensive natural history knowledge of the dynamic ecosystems in the rainforest, coastal, and marine operating areas. 

Sea Kayak Guides will also be expected to assist in support operations at our kayak rental shop throughout the season. These duties include assisting Kayak Rental Specialists with outfitting of kayak rentals, transportation, set up, cleaning of rental gear, and warehouse support.

General Duties Include, but are not limited to….

• Guide 3.5 – 8 hour sea kayaking tours in remote wilderness locations for up to 8 clients.
• 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. 
• Teach effective and safe kayaking skills to novice paddlers, provide accurate natural-history narrative throughout tours, and maintain awareness of risk, weather, and marine conditions before and throughout all tours. 
• Must be able to travel on float plane and/or motorboat, and safety operate company vans to transport guests and equipment. 
• Provide transportation to clients in company vans to and from downtown Juneau.
• Loading kayaks/canoes and lifting heavy gear 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
• 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 Experience: 

• Knowledge of Southeast Alaska ecosystems, wildlife, and glacial environments
• Technical Skills (Paddle Strokes, Maintenance, Rescue Technique, Navigation, And More)

Training: All Sea Kayak Guides are required to participate in paid training at the start of the season.  Training includes kayak skills and rescue, coastal theory and navigation, critical incident response, and zone familiarization.

Start Date: April 15, 2023 – September 30, 2023

Compensation: $18/hour + tips 

Bonus: Employees 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 flights with Alaska Airlines and Delta 
• Free fitness membership during the summer months 
• Subsidized housing at a local campground

Above and Beyond Alaska (ABAK) is seeking an exceptional individual to join our seasonal support team in Juneau, Alaska. ABAK has been facilitating outdoor adventure experiences on the ocean and ice for over 21 years and employs 40 seasonal team members from April-September.

The Support Specialist position works directly with the Operations Team to maintain ABAK facilities, gear, and vehicles for all our daily operations. ABAK specializes in small group adventure tours, often outfitting up to 10 groups per day with top-of-the-line outdoor gear, outerwear and footwear, and hearty snacks. The Support Specialist works in tandem with the operations and guide team to prep equipment/gear and food for trips, engage guests, help maintain operational zones, assist operations team with daily logistics, transport guests, fuel and clean vans, fix and clean canoes, kayaks, and equipment at the kayak rental shop. 

This is a dynamic support role that will rotate through the Warehouse headquarters and Kayak Rental Shop as Support Specialists. Specialists will assist Kayak Rental Specialists with set up of kayaks at the shop, assisting with outfitting of kayak rentals, transportation, set up, cleaning of rental gear. 

All training is “on-the-job” and begins on the first day of work. This position is an entry-level position geared towards exceptional individuals looking to diversify their skill set, explore the outdoor adventure tourism industry, and collaborate with an amazing team. This is the perfect position for someone who wants to learn what it takes to be a professional guide, as it provides an opportunity to learn everything it takes to outfit and prepare client groups for being in the wilderness. Many of our top guides have started in this position and now guide full time. All applicants, regardless of experience, must share our passion for promoting environmental conservation through education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintain inventory of client food and warehouse supplies. 
• Prepare hearty snacks in accordance with client dietary needs and food safety regulations and filling water bottles.
• Pack, Clean, and Repair outdoor gear and apparel
• Loading kayaks/canoes and lifting heavy gear. 
• Transport equipment, clients, and kayaks to various locations around Juneau.
• Assist guides in outfitting clients
• Maintain a clean front-of-house staging, retail, and restroom area, and a clean and organized back-of-house warehouse workspace.
• Kayak Rental Shop: assist with kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals in a busy harbor just south of our main headquarters. Learn how to fix kayaks and paddle gear. Assist kayak specialists with staging and cleaning kayaks.

General Requirements

• High School Diploma – Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in preferred
• US Citizen OR Be Eligible to Work in the US
• Superb Written and Verbal Communication skills
• Exceptional customer services skills 
• 21 years of age with a Valid Driver’s License and Clean Driving Record for past 5 years
• Adult/Child First Aid and CPR Certification 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in retail, tour, or service industry 
• Proficient with computers

Start Date: May 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023 (flexible) 

Compensation: $18/hour 

Bonus: All employees 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 flights with Alaska Airlines and Delta 
• Free fitness membership during the summer months 
• Subsidized housing at a local campground