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Posted: May 26, 2026

Raft Guide

River & Trail Outfitters

West Virginia

Wages/Pay
$56.00 / trip
Experience Level
No experience required
Job Start Date
May 26, 2026

Description

We employ a great mix of people to be raft guides including high school and college students, teachers, cabinet makers, scientists, ski resort workers, and a host of others.  Raft Guides are an integral part of our staff and the main reason our customers come back again and again. For this reason, good people skills are very important. No prior river experience is necessary, only the willingness to learn. We hire guides looking to work full or part-time.

Two trips per day is the general rule. Time spent working toward certification is not paid.  Participants will pay $100 to begin the certification sessions and the First Aid & CPR certifications.

Once a participant has successfully completed the certification and is hired, they will be provided a gift certificate to our retail store toward purchasing gear. Those who do not complete the certification or do not get hired after the session will not be refunded or receive the gift certificate.   Those who already have current First Aid & CPR certifications do not have to take the in-person class and may receive a larger gift certificate toward retail.

Qualifications

  • Must be 16 years and older to begin certification

  • Complete a minimum of 12 trips on the Shenandoah River and 1 check out trip.

  • Obtain Red Cross Standard First Aid or its equivalent (offered on-site)

  • Obtain Red Cross Professional Rescuer CPR or its equivalent (offered on-site)

  • If over 18, pass our standard background screening. 

  • Be able to give and receive both verbal and nonverbal communication, over variable distances, between guides, guests, and bystanders. 

  • Be able to competently swim in rapids and swift current while wearing a PFD

  • Strong customer service skills

How to Apply

Apply Now

Contact Info

River & Trail Outfitters

We are looking for self-motivated people who enjoy working in the outdoors with the public. We value strong communication skills, dependability, problem-solving skills, a cool head in a crisis, & a desire to have some fun! We are seeking hard-working individuals with a strong work ethic . We seek to spread our appreciation and love of local rivers & trails!

Location
West Virginia
Season
Spring, Summer, and Fall
Housing
Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
Housing details
shared apartment, tent camping
Family housing available
No
Single occupancy housing available
Yes
Pet friendly
No
Meals
None
Cell phone service
Yes, most carriers
Internet access
Good
About CoolWorks

Since 1995, CoolWorks has connected adventure-seekers with job opportunities in amazing places—from national parks to ski resorts, summer camps to dude ranches. We help people trade screen time for real time—meaningful experiences that spark connection and growth. Your next great adventure is waiting. More About CoolWorks

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