Whitewater Raft Guide - Experienced

The Outlaw Group • Idaho Springs, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

AVA Rafting & Zipline is hiring experienced Whitewater Raft Guides for the summer season, June through September 2026. Positions are available in Idaho Springs and Buena Vista, Colorado; Kremmling, Colorado; and Moab, Utah. The role requires working onsite, and employee campground accommodations may be available. Experienced guides must provide current, verifiable river miles when employment begins and complete checkout runs for each river stretch they will guide commercially with AVA.

Guides safely navigate commercial rafts, manage guests, provide interpretive information about the surrounding wilderness, and perform swiftwater rescue techniques as needed. The position involves maintaining equipment and work areas and delivering a safe, educational, fun trip and excellent guest service. Guides generally run two to three trips per day, with workdays typically around nine hours.

Starting pay for experienced guides is $15.56 per hour. Tips commonly add an average of $10–$20 per hour, and guides with additional experience may be eligible for further compensation. The role offers outdoor-industry gear discounts. AVA emphasizes safety, professionalism, outdoor skills, guest service, and low-impact environmental recreation, and is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

• Experience guiding or navigating Class III to Class V whitewater; the posting specifically seeks experience on Class III+ whitewater.
• Provide up-to-date, verifiable river miles upon employment start.
• Complete checkout runs for each river stretch to be guided commercially with AVA.
• Be physically capable and passionate about the outdoors.
• Have strong teamwork skills and an emphasis on customer care.
• Work onsite in Utah for the Utah position; employee campground accommodation options may be available.

Nice To Haves

• Current CPR, First Aid, and other training.
• Additional guiding experience, which may qualify guides for further compensation.

Responsibilities

• Safely navigate commercial rafts down rivers while managing guests and providing an excellent customer experience.
• Provide educational and interpretive information about the surrounding wilderness.
• Maintain situational awareness and readiness to perform river rescue maneuvers as needed.
• Maintain equipment, gear, and the work area.
• Complete checkout runs for each river stretch to be guided commercially with AVA.

Benefits

• Starting pay of $15.56 per hour for experienced guides, with tips commonly adding an average of $10–$20 per hour.
• Outdoor-industry gear discounts through participating brands.
• Employee campground accommodation options may be available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed