River Dance Lodge Support and Activities Guide

Function: To serve as a guide on all activities based out of the River Dance Lodge with the exception of Lochsa River trips and to help out at the Lodge as a support person. Work will range from guiding trips to serving meals, helping with housekeeping and even grounds keeping. This guide position offers an opportunity to “get a foot in the door” with ROW, and may be used as a stepping stone for guides who wish to train and be considered for a position as a guide on multi-day trips. All guides are members of a growing company and their primary responsibility is to deal with guests, co-workers and suppliers in a manner which sets the high water mark for hospitality, safety and excellence.

Trips and areas expected to guide or work in:

Lower Selway or Clearwater Float Trips, kayak/canoe trips or fishing trips

Canoe/Kayak instruction trips

Equipment rental and shuttles for self-guided adventures

On ROW’s multi-sport adventures, help coordinate local activities that could include hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. (Some of these are done in conjunction with another local outfitter, such as the horseback riding.)

Organize and lead craft times for kids as well as campfire activities.

Other activities and guest services as needed.

Help with the preparation, serving and cleaning of all meals

Help with housekeeping on days not guiding trips

Assist with grounds keeping

Trip Related Duties:

1. Safely conveys ROW guests on all trips either various Class I-II rivers in either oar rafts, paddle rafts, canoes or sit-on-top kayaks, hiking trips, or biking trips. Perform lead and Safety guide duties as assigned
2. Act as a representative of ROW, maintaining a good sense of humor and performing in a positive, professional manner, with a cooperative attitude in all interactions with guests and co-workers
3. Is able to respond to routine guest requests in a polite, helpful manner that makes them feel valued, respected, liked and cared for
4. Is able to engage guests in friendly conversation and some form of entertainment such as cards, horseshoes, storytelling, etc.
5. Leads hikes and/or other activities to enrich the guests’ experience
6. Learns and is willing to present short interpretive presentations to guests. Note: These are specific to each river and typically are 5-10 minute talks on topics such as geology, pictographs, Native Americans and pioneers
7. Learns and is able to cook all the meals on the ROW menu including a variety of hors d’oeuvres, salads, entrees and Dutch oven desserts. Does all associated food organization, dish washing and clean up
8. Is able to rig and de-rig an oar raft, paddle raft, kayak, bike and trailer in a timely manner
9. Packs equipment, unpacks, cleans and puts away all trip gear after trip. This includes cleaning of guide area, main kitchen and guide kitchen
10. Demonstrates a positive attitude and assists the trip leader and other guides in other tasks as needed
11. Reads and adheres to policies and procedures outlined in the ROW guide manual
12. Completes and turns in incident and accident reports when necessary immediately following the incident or accident
13. Participates in any on-river guide meetings, as well as post-trip guide debriefs and addresses outstanding issues
14. Helps market other ROW trips by accurately answering guest questions and to generally direct them to other ROW experiences they might enjoy. Forward the names of "hot trip prospects" for 1-day or longer trips in a timely manner to the office for follow up
15. Repairs damaged equipment
16. Informs management of food and equipment re-supply needs
17. On one- and two-day trips, expects to be given and completes assigned tasks while waiting for guests to arrive for trips
18. Develop expertise in an interpretive topic of your choice, by completing a paper or project in an area of interest related to the rivers and canyons where ROW operates
19. Looks for ways to better serve the guest and ROW and bring new ideas to management if it involves policy change
20. Communicates well with co-workers, owners, managers and behaves in a professional manner at all times
21. Performs other duties as assigned

Lodge Related Duties

1. Assists the cook in preparing, cooking, serving and cleaning of all meals
2. Assists the housekeeping manager with cleaning of cabins. This includes, changing sheets, making beds, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning cabin kitchens, hot tub maintenance and general cabin cleaning
3. Assist grounds keeping duties including, mowing, weeding, watering, and litter pickup.

Performance Standards:
Guides are evaluated on their thoroughness in performing duties, attitude, punctuality, dependability, ability to operate as a team player, initiative, mature judgment, relationships with co-workers, management and guests, flexibility and willingness to learn.

Reporting Relationship: Guides report to the River Dance Lodge Manager. In his or her absence, guide reports to the Director of Operations or President.

Qualifications:
Guides must be at least 18 years old and have current 1st Aid and CPR cards. Guides must have a professional attitude and be willing to learn and accept new ideas. Initiative is highly valued. Must be able to work long hours during rush periods and not be subject to burnout and moodiness. Must work well under pressure and be a team player. Guides must purchase a PFD, river knife, three carabineers, whistle, dry bag, and a personal first aid kit. Must be willing to live out of a tent while on the river, and travel at odd hours. Guides must attend our guide trip and pre-train on every river that they work.

Schedule: The Syringa Activities Guide is a full time position starting in the middle of June and lasting until Sept 1 or as negotiated on the Job Agreement. Efforts will be made to give guides their requested workload. Special occasion days off and special needs must be negotiated prior to signing a job agreement in order to be guaranteed. Two days off a week will be scheduled but guides may be asked to work more if needed. Vacations are discouraged in July and August.

Physical Requirements- Able to lift 70 lbs or so

Compensation : A salary will be paid. This amount is inclusive of all duties listed above. Guides will be scheduled to have two days off a week. Partial months worked will be paid at a pro-rated amount of $59 a day x days worked.

Additional benefits include bunk house style accommodation, or a camping area where a tent may be set up. Meals are also provided on days worked.

Other Benefits: ROW has a FSA (Flexible Spending Account) program allowing employees to withhold pre-tax wages to pay for health insurance premiums as well as other medical expenses. Friends or family may join any one-day trip at a $10/person charge; on a space available basis provided they do not interfere with the operation of the trip, professionalism of guide staff and do not require adding an extra guide on the trip. One space on one of ROW’s multi-day trips is also available, to be taken either prior to the start of the season or towards the end in early September.