River Rafting Guides (Experienced)

While ROW enjoys a high return rate among its staff, we usually have a few openings each year for experienced guides. In general, for our multi-day whitewater trips we only hire people with previous commercial whitewater guiding experience and rarely hire anyone under the age of 23. We also hire experienced guides for our Lochsa and Northern Rivers/Clark Fork operations. If you are considering a change from the company you currently work for be sure to read through all our information carefully to make sure that ROW is a good fit for you. To learn more about our trips and philosophy, go to our home page . You might also enjoy reading about other ROW staff at Meet the ROW Team .

How we do things: We run our trips conservatively with utmost concern for our guests’ safety. Our motto in this arena is Safety before ego. While most of our trips are on class III water, we do run some class IV-V sections. We are willing to train you in areas where you may have received inadequate training as long as you are willing to learn. We are proud that our equipment is the best available and that we have one of the newest fleets on the water.

ROW has certain ways of doing things and we like to standardize our procedures as much as possible so that when you're working with different combinations of guides you are concentrating on having fun instead of re-inventing the wheel on every trip. We also want our guides to enjoy a supportive atmosphere. To meet this goal, and knowing that working and living together round the clock can be very demanding, we want guides who are solid, supportive team players with good communication skills.

Interpretation at ROW: ROW guides pride themselves on their knowledge of the cultural and natural history of the rivers we run and have found that sharing this knowledge increases our guests’ enjoyment. Because we expect our guides to be good interpreters of natural and cultural history, an educational background in wild land interpretation, earth sciences, biology, archaeology, etc., is highly desirable. We also require all new hires to participate in ROW's Certified Interpretive Guide course given by the National Association for Interpretation. This class is offered by ROW in the spring. The cost for this class is detailed in the cost section below. New ROW guides are also required to prepare a short interpretive presentation related to the rivers and canyons where ROW operates. This is due on arrival to our guide clinic. Complete details to help you complete this project will be provided.

Family Trips: Because “Family Magic™” trips are a big part of our business, we also look for folks who are good with kids, can lead games or entertain around a campfire by leading songs, playing guitar or telling stories.

Multi-Day Guide Training Clinic: Each new-to-ROW guide intending to work on our multi-day wilderness trips is required to attend one of our guide-training clinic. ROW's company wide training involves both on river and off river time.

Our 2008 training clinic will take place in late April - early May for guides hired to work a full season and the 3-4th week of June for part season guides. Exact dates will be given upon offer of a job.

The cost for the training trip is listed below in the cost area. ROW generally intends to hire all guides who attend this training clinic, and it is rare that an individual does not stay to work afterward. However, we do reserve the right to change our mind, and no offers of work are final until after this trip.

Benefits
As a company, ROW seeks to identify and employ professional, career guides. While we do have some seasonal turnover, our goal is to maintain a large percentage of our guides and other staff. Toward this end, we offer a number of benefits including:

• Free guest activities, on a space-available basis such as rafting and canoeing.
• Complimentary and/or discounted trips for family and friends
• Free staff housing or tent space at our outpost locations
• Training opportunities on other rivers
• Training and skills development in the recreation industry
• Leadership opportunities
• Competitive Pay
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA’s allow employees to pay for medical expenses with pre-tax income providing a +20% savings)
• 401(k) plan
• Pro-deal program to help you purchase outdoor gear at deeply discounted rates
• Free staff clothing

Housing
Snake/Salmon River Canyons: These trips are run from our warehouse in Clarkston, Washington. At the warehouse we have a guide kitchen, sitting/TV room, high speed wireless internet and a quiet space with a library and computer. There is some indoor sleeping area, but due to the pleasant weather (hot in July/August), most guides sleep in tents or vehicles in the back yard area. All guides working on multi-day rivers will spend some time at the warehouse.

Lochsa: ROW owns an outpost location called the River Dance Lodge on the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River in the small hamlet of Syringa, Idaho. Currently this is not very developed. Guides are provided a space for tenting and/or vehicle use, showers and toilet facilities. A communal camp kitchen and cook tent is also provided. Guides love it here because it is a world class boating mecca! The class IV Lochsa, Class IV-V North Fork and South Fork of the Clearwater, the class II-III lower Selway and numerous classic Idaho creeks provide excellent kayaking and private boating opportunities.

Middle Fork of the Salmon: Our Salmon Outpost on Main Street in Salmon, Idaho has a guide house with sleeping quarters, Kitchen, TV room and wireless high speed internet.

North Idaho Rivers and Clark Fork: Our outpost is based on Cedar Creek just outside of Superior, Montana. Guides camp or bring their own trailer or truck to sleep in. ROW provides a shower, portable toilet facilities and kitchen facilities. During June, when we are on the Moyie, ROW rents a place with shower facilities and guides camp out using their own tents.

Missouri River: We have a guide house with sleeping quarters in Great Falls, Montana.

At all locations, guides are responsible for their own meals when they are off the river.

Drug/Alcohol Free Workplace
ROW Inc. is committed to a safe environment for its Adventure Staff and Guests. We have a zero tolerance policy for drugs on our property or impairment at work. If you can't do without drugs or heavy consumption of alcohol, don't apply. Random drug testing is required for all ROW employees. Pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing is required for CDL drivers. Post-accident drug/alcohol testing is required of all employees filing a workman’s compensation claim. Any employee allowing drugs or alcohol to effect their work may be terminated.

Tobacco-Free Policy
ROW Inc. is a tobacco-free company. Smoking and chewing tobacco is not permitted on ROW property or in any ROW vehicle. Guides are not permitted to smoke or chew tobacco on any ROW trip. This includes all overnight trips. Any employee found in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Personal Appearance
A professional and well-groomed appearance is an essential ingredient in ROW’s success. Facial piercing such as nose rings, eye rings, and chin studs are not acceptable. We rely on your good judgment and commitment to ROW Inc. to accept this basic condition of employment.

Pet Policy
In consideration of and for the safety of our guests, employees and your pets; please leave your pets at home.

Employee Availability
We are looking for full-season guides to start in late April and end in late August as well as part season guides who join us in mid-June and stay until late August. Students must be available for work until at least seven days before classes start. Guides not returning to school, or to teach, must be available through September 1 unless another agreement is reached at the time of signing your job agreement. Your job agreement will specify agreed upon starting and ending dates. You will not be hired if start and end dates do not meet ROW's needs. Important! By signing an agreement when hired, 1st year guides acknowledge that they are making a two-season commitment to ROW.

The following are positions are available for experienced guides: (Remember that if you don't have any whitewater experience you could still be a candidate for our Inexperienced Guide or Missouri River Guide positions.

Full-time, Full-Season Experienced Whitewater Guide

Requirements:

• At least one year previous commercial guiding experience, two years preferred; experience on multi-day trips with both oar and paddle boats preferred
• Advanced First Aid, First Responder or higher certification (a 36-hour minimum is required; WEC, WAFA, WFR, WEMT, or EMT preferred). If you do not currently have this level of training, you will still be considered if you can show enrollment in a class that finishes by April 20, or prior to your start date
• Swiftwater Rescue Technician 1, or equivalent needs to be obtained within two years of hire.

Full-time, full-season guides are expected to be available for work from May after the required staff training through September 1. Occasionally there is some part-time work available in September. For guides just starting out with ROW, a typical schedule might include training on some multi-day trips in May; work on one-day trips during the months of May and/or June, and then multi-day trips on the Snake and Salmon River Canyons in July and August. Work during the entire season is unpredictable, based on bookings, and is assigned based on a variety of factors including seniority, skill level, water levels, etc. New-to-ROW guides in the past received 2-6 days of guide work during the last two weeks of May, increasing in June and working a 5-6 day/week in July and August. ROW makes no guarantees on the amount of work a guide will receive, and guides do not choose the rivers they work on, but rather are assigned as needed. A typical season for a new-to-ROW guide might include work on the St. Joe, Moyie, Snake, and Salmon River Canyons, with opportunities to train on all other rivers, depending on experience and scheduling factors. New full season guides generally start out during May and June working on the Snake, Lochsa, or St. Joe & Moyie Rivers, depending on bookings, skill levels and experience on single or multi-day trips.

Click here for the Experienced Guide Job Description

Part-Season Whitewater Guide

Requirements:

• At least one year previous commercial guiding experience on a multi-day river, two years preferred
• First Aid and Swiftwater Rescue as outlined above

Part-season work is available on the Salmon River Canyons and Snake River in Hells Canyon between the dates of July 1 and August 31. Bookings are generally the busiest of the summer during this time frame. Trips are 4-5 days in length, (usually 5 days), with approximately 24 hours off between trips. They are based out of the ROW warehouse in Clarkston, Washington. Individuals who have another job or other interests that do not allow them to commit to a full season of work often prefer this type of schedule. It is also an excellent way to get a foot in the door with ROW, meet other guides, and get an idea of what it would be like to work for the company before committing to a full season. Participation in the spring staff trip at the end of June is required.

Click here for the Experienced Guide Job Description

Full Time / Full-season Missouri River Guide

Requirements:

• At least one year of guiding experience in any outdoor setting. We are willing to train for these positions only if you have experience and education in historical and/or environmental interpretation
• First Aid as outlined above

Our Missouri River Canoe operation is based out of Great Falls Montana. We primarily run 5 day trips on the Missouri river along the Lewis and Clark Trail. The season begins around June 15th with a 5-day training trip in preparation for the first launch around June 20th. We launch every Sunday and work is rotated among the core team of 3-5 guides based on seniority. We make no guarantee of the amount of work you will receive as this is based on bookings. We also have positions for part time Missouri guides for people available only on a part-time basis. Participation in the Missouri River staff training clinic and the early May staff trip is required.

Click here for the Experienced Guide Job Description

One- and Two-Day Whitewater Guide Positions

Lochsa / Northern Rivers / Clark Fork (primarily day trips, some overnight):

Requirements:

• Minimum of one year of paddle guiding experience
• First Aid and Swiftwater Rescue as outlined above

Our one day season begins in early June on the Moyie River, a fast, technical one-day trip and Lochsa river which is our class IV river. We then move briefly to another small, technical river, the St. Joe. Then the season continues on the Clark Fork that we run from roughly July 1 to the end of August. While we prefer guides with the skills to work an entire Northern Rivers season, we sometimes have folks with less experience begin as guides on the Clark Fork as it is an easier river. Some of our full-season guides may also work on these rivers. We also seek local guides who live in the area and are available for backup or weekend-only work.

Click here for the Experienced Guide Job Description

COSTS

2009 Full-season Guides - Full season guides are required to attend the spring staff trip starting on late April. By attending this training trip you will be qualified for early season work.

On May 18-21 (dates may change) a Certified Interpretive Guide Class (CIG) will also be hosted by ROW. This class is designed to help ROW guides with their interpretive skills and assist them in providing meaningful interpretation to ROW guests. Successful completion of class also provides guides with a CIG certification through the National Association for Interpretation.

Full season guides will also be required to attend a second staff trip in late June on the Salmon River Canyons (this also doubles as a licensing run).

The cost for the two training trips, the CIG class, and any other training or licensing trips that ROW offers is $350.

2008 Part-season Guides - Part season guides are any guides who are unable to attend the first staff trip or the CIG class in May. Since the CIG class is a crucial part of ROW training, we will make every attempt to run a second CIG class in late June.

Part-season guides are also required to attend the late June training trip on the Salmon River Canyons.

The cost for the training trip, the CIG class, and any other training and or licensing trips that ROW offers is $325. Due to bookings and attendance ROW may not be able to host a second CIG class, if this happens $125 will be refunded upon completion of their job agreement.

Idaho Guides: There are several costs for guides who will be working in Idaho for ROW. An Idaho Guide license costs $155 for the first year and $115 in subsequent years. From the fourth year of employment on, ROW pays a partial to full reimbursement for this annual guide licensing fee. New ROW guides are also required to purchase three books for their personal library, one each on the Snake, Middle Fork and Salmon River. These books cost $10 each. The total of these start up costs is $515, which is due by April 1. This information is provided so that you will have a good understanding of the costs involved in accepting employment with ROW. In subsequent years, only the Idaho licensing fee is required of returning guides.

Montana Guides: Guides who work on the Clark Fork river in Montana are responsible for buying a Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Fishing Access Site Permit. The cost of this permit is $100. This is not required of many Idaho guides since we employ a full time crew in Montana. However the permit is necessary to guide on the Clark Fork river.

Equipment Required: Guides are expected to provide all their own personal whitewater gear including PFD, wet or dry suit, helmet (Lochsa and Northern Rivers only), two carabineers, one prussic and/or flip line, and water bottle(s). In addition, multi-day guides must provide a dry bag, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, ammo can and appropriate clothing for extended trips.

ROW Policies Related to Hiring and Licensing

- Note that these are all more stringent than the Idaho requirements

1. All guides must have CPR
2. All guides must have or obtain a minimum of a 36-hour advanced first aid class (FR, WEC, WAFA, WFR, WEMT or EMT preferred)
3. All guides must have Swiftwater Rescue Training, Technician 1 or equivalent or plan on taking it within two years of offer of employment.
4. Guides are NOT paid for training trips. The number of training trips required by each guide varies from one to three per river and is dependent on the following:
   1. Proficiency/experience with oar boats (guides without prior rowing experience can expect at least two trips)
   2. Professionalism in working with guests
   3. How quickly the trainee is able to assume a full share of the workload, especially in terms of learning the menu, cooking, rigging, and camp set-up and tear down
   4. Idaho licensing status

Becoming licensed in Idaho and trained to ROW's level of excellence, is a lengthy process and may require a new guide to spend 3-6 weeks in training before becoming a paid guide. Outfitter Peter Grubb or the river manager will make the final decision regarding when you are qualified to guide on a section of river. Please see the Experienced Guide Job Description for additional information.

Applying For A Position

• Study everything carefully at our website, including Experienced Guide Job Description for any positions you are applying for.
• Make sure your goals and ours match.
• Send a resume and any other documentation that you might have to jobs@ROWadventures.com or the address below.
• After reviewing your resume if we are interested we will ask you to fill out an application. IF you do not have a resume prepared you can skip that step and just fill out the application.
• Fill out our application or call us a (208) 765-0841 to request a guide application packet.
• Mail all First Aid cards, Swiftwater rescue cards, river logs, etc. to our office at PO Box 579, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816.
• Get Letter of Reference completed and submitted as requested.
• Depending on the position, various starting and ending dates may be accommodated.
• Pets are not allowed.
• Most positions are physically demanding and require lifting, bending, standing and kneeling.
• We usually try to wrap up our hiring by early March, but feel free to check with us if you discover ROW after that date. Also, please use the Letters of Recommendation forms and have these returned by this deadline.
• Once your application has been received, you will be notified if you have been selected for a telephone interview. Generally interviews are conducted from January through March.

Application

To download an application that you can fill out in Adobe Reader or print off, complete and mail in. Application in PDF

Thank you for your interest in ROW!