WHITEWATER RAFTING GUIDE

You’re the curator of the heart of what we do – ADVENTURE! It’s not about just sending trips down the river for us. It’s about training guides to pursue something greater – to fill up every moment in-between with laughs, thrilling tricks in the rapids, interesting facts about the native vegetation and local history, and so much more. You play a role in what sets us apart as a premium outfitter.

We hire guides with experience ranging from none to 20+ years on river.

No experience? No problem. Our guide training program is one of the best and most thorough on the river. Applicants without prior commercial guiding experience are required to attend this River Rat Whitewater Guide Training program during May of each year. Trainees who successfully complete the Guide Training program will be offered a Guide position for that season. We ensure that by the end of your training, those offered a position will be fully-equipped with all the tools and knowledge they need to become phenomenal in this role.

Our most successful candidates typically exhibit the following qualities:

• A strong sense of guest service
• The ability to stay calm under pressure and be able to respond with good judgment 
• Ability to speak clearly and with authority while guiding 
• Enthusiasm about teaching and sharing outdoor adventures with guests

Position Responsibilities:

• Guide through rapids with crews of varying size, age, and number
• Communicate with guests about local area information, other River Rat activities and offerings, river and trip information, and providing general entertainment
• Provide first-class guest service to all guests, before, after, and during their trip
• Participate in off-the-water tasks, including moving, loading and unloading rafts, assisting guests with gear, delivering instructional talks, washing and organizing gear and equipment, and maintaining outpost appearance 
• Understanding and implementing the risk-reduction policies in navigation, communication, and decision-making

Physical Capability & Working Conditions:

• Must be physically capable of maneuvering rafts for the duration of the season both on the water by steering and guiding and on land by carrying and lifting
• Applicants should be able to lift 50lbs repetitively
• Applicants should be comfortable sitting in raft for long periods of time and standing for long periods of time as well as able to bend, stoop and twist
• Applicants should be comfortable working outside in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, wind, rain)

Hiring Availability: This position is classified as seasonal part-time. Due to the seasonal demand of our business, we are looking for applicants that are available for a minimum of 3 months and are available to work until (at least) mid-August. Applicants with shorter availability may still be considered based on hiring needs.

Requirements: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age prior to their start date, and possess current First Aid and CPR certifications. This is a physically demanding position, so you must be capable of engaging in rigorous activity for extended periods of time.

Certifications:

• Basic First Aid & CPR are required prior to beginning work
• Wilderness First Aid or higher is encouraged
• ACA Swiftwater Rescue is encouraged

Compensation:

• Raft Guides are paid by the trip, with each trip lasting about 2 hours. First-year guides start with a pay of $30 per trip and the most experienced guides can make up to $55 per trip.

Benefits:

• Monthly, performance-based bonuses
• End-of-Season Bonus 
• Employee of the Quarter rewards
• Scholarship opportunities
• Training trips to other local rivers
• Amazing food truck on site
• Discounts on industry equipment
• 10% discount on River Rat retail
• 10% discount at Burger Master (Townsend)
• Complimentary Tubing and Whitewater Rafting passes
• Free passes to popular area attractions and restaurants

RETAIL/PHOTO SALES ASSOCIATE

You are actively involved with River Rat’s guest experience and are oftentimes, the first point of contact for many of our on-site guests. This guest-facing role focuses on delivering exceptional customer service while answering questions and assisting with retail store purchases. In addition, retail associates must be proactive in helping our guests and are also expected to help stock products and ensure a clean and safe work environment.

Our most successful candidates exhibit the following qualities:

• Maintain a high level of professionalism with superb communication skills 
• Have a professional appearance and attitude
• Sustain productive work with little supervision
• Exhibit good judgment in decision-making 
• Be able to troubleshoot and problem solve
• Have strong interpersonal skills
• Be team-oriented
• Understand basic math principles

Position Responsibilities:

• Ensure extraordinary guest service with enthusiasm and attention to detail
• Assist guests as needed
• Check-in guests electronically and communicate with guests the remaining steps of preparing for their rafting adventure 
• Offer accurate product information and make product suggestions to guests based on individual guest needs
• Process Point of Sale (POS) transactions accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with established River Rat policies and procedures
• Maintain store visual appearance and personal appearance standards
• Keep retail area stocked and clean; replenish as needed
• Answer phones and respond to guests promptly
• Communicate with management staff regularly to ensure open channels of communication
• Complete opening and closing tasks as shift dictates
• Upload adventure photos to Picthrive, and assist guests with viewing and purchasing photos
• If 18+ years old, pour beer and effectively check identification of everyone purchasing beer 
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: 

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time
• Must have the ability to lift 40lbs on a regular basis
• Must speak clearly and concisely 
• Must be able to bend, stoop and twist
• Daily use of phone, computer and other office equipment

Hiring Availability: This position is classified as seasonal part-time. These positions will start between March and May of 2023 depending on business needs. Hours will vary week to week based on business demands. Our peak season at River Rat is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Applicants with shorter availability may still be considered based on hiring needs.

Requirements: Ages 16 and older are welcome to apply. No experience necessary. Must have reliable ride to work (siblings, parents, carpool with other employees, etc.) if you do not drive.

Preferred Experience (Not Required):

• Prior experience with customer service and/ or sales
• Prior cash-handling experience

Compensation:

• $10-$13/hour depending on experience

Benefits:

• End-of-Season Bonus 
• Employee of the Quarter rewards
• Scholarship opportunities
• Amazing food truck on site
• 10% discount on River Rat retail
• 10% discount at Burger Master (Townsend)
• Complimentary Tubing and Whitewater Rafting passes
• Free passes to popular area attractions and restaurants

BUS DRIVER

You are our guests’ official transportation from the start/end of the rafting routes. Spend your summer behind the wheel of our first-class shuttle vehicles! This job is not your traditional driving position. Enjoy mountain and river views and the excitement of our guests as they get prepared to experience the Pigeon River. 

Our most successful candidates exhibit the following qualities:

• Maintain a high level of professionalism with superb communication skills 
• Have a professional appearance and attitude
• Have a strong sense of guest service
• Be enthusiastic about sharing outdoor activities with River Rat guests

Position Responsibilities:

• Transport guests and guides to and/or from river or aerial locations, adhering to all River Rat, DOT, state and OSHA laws, policies and regulations
• Provide top-notch guest service to all guests, before, after, and during their trip, including answering questions about trip specifics and local information
• Daily and pre-trip bus inspections, documenting all inspections and reporting any issues to management
• In some cases, responsible for loading, unloading, and securing rafts, kayaks, or other equipment on bus-tops, as qualified
• Other tasks, such as driving support vehicles, repair and maintenance of gear or facilities, and assisting other River Rat departments, as qualified and as assigned
• Back into tight spots for unloading rafts at put-in and take-out

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: 

• Must be comfortable working and driving in varying weather conditions including, but not limited to (heat, wind, rain, cold)
• Must be comfortable driving on winding mountain roads
• Must be able to bend, stoop, twist
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to remain focused in a noisy environment

Hiring Availability: Due to the nature of this position, we are looking for both part-time and full-time drivers to join us for the season. Our season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but driving opportunities can be extended to before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. 

Requirements: Must have valid Class B Commercial Drivers License with Passenger and Airbrake endorsements.

Preferred (Not Required):

• First Aid/CPR certification

Compensation:

• $18/hour

Benefits:

• End-of-Season Bonus
• Scholarship opportunities
• Amazing food truck on site
• 10% discount on River Rat retail
• 10% discount at Burger Master (Townsend)
• Complimentary Tubing and Whitewater Rafting passes
• Free passes to popular area attractions and restaurants

ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT?

Yes! Most of our staff returns to work for us years in a row, so it’s common for us to promote from within.

Looking for a career? Some of our senior Management staff was also promoted from within! Positions can change or new ones can be created depending on the year and how the business evolves, so if you excel in your work, you may be considered for some of these positions if they become available.