Whitewater Rafting Guides & Support Staff Needed for the 2019 Season!
Big Bear Rafting offers the best Whitewater Raft Guide Training program in the Smoky Mountains. We have set the standard on the Pigeon River for training class V ready raft guides, as well as over 60 years combined experience in the Smoky Mountains Hospitality & Tourism Industry.
Big Bear Rafting is located in Hartford, Tenessee, where the rolling peaks and rushing waters of the Great Smoky Mountains provide the backdrop for the Big Pigeon River, which snakes its way through the lush mountain landscape along the Tennessee-North Carolina border.
About Big Bear Rafting
We are looking for Team Members with positive attitudes for the 2019 season.
Our Guide School starts Monday, May 13th, 2019. Our training class will fill up quickly, so don't hesitate!
Course Curriculum:
- Fundamentals of hydrology, river terminology, and water reading
- Technical skills required to maneuver rafts on a whitewater river
- River safety and communication
- Proper River etiquette
- Basic rescue training including rapid swimming, raft flipping, and throw ropes
- Guest service, logistics, and dynamics of a commercial (or private) river trip
- Equipment and gear care and maintenance
- Risk management
- First Aid/CPR training
- ACA Swift Water Rescue Level 4 Training (Optional)
In addition, you will get the opportunity to test your skills on a more difficult river before your training is complete. There is a $250 charge for all your river gear which you get to keep. There is no charge for training.
The Employee Experience
We are a small, family oriented company that pride ourselves on providing our guests the best white water rafting experience in the Great Smoky Mountains. Members of Team Big Bear are hardworking, focused and respectful to each other, our company and our guests. It is our goal to creat a positive winning environment for our employess to thrive in. Great people make great guides!
Ideal Candidate
Team oriented, hard working, people with a fantastic attitude, a willingness to learn and a thirst for adventure.
Room and Board
Bunkhouse lodging is available for $40 a month - no room and board charges will occur until you start getting paid.
Staff dinners are provided every Thursday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Employee Perks
Over the course of the summer, our team will have the chance to take trips to other rivers in the area on our days off, giving us the opportunity to not only see different rivers in the area but also testing our skills as guides on new and challenging whitewater.
Currently, we have trips scheduled for the following:
- New River, West Virginia
- Nolichucky River, Tennessee
- French Broad River Sec. 9, North Carolina
- Ocoee River, Tennessee
- Nantahala River, North Carolina
Getting Here and Getting Around
Most of our employees will arrive in their own vehicles. However, if traveling by public transportation will be happy to pick you up from the airport or bus station at no charge.
If you are planning on flying in from abroad or another state, McGee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, TN or Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) in Asheville, NC will be the closest airports.
If you plan on arriving by bus, we recommend Megabus or Greyhound in Knoxville, TN.
For Fun
We are located near the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park and many State parks.
We're less than an hour drive from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville and Asheville, NC.
How to Apply
Please email your resume to Daniel Sutton.
And, click APPLY HERE to fill out our online application