Whitewater Raft Guide - Experienced
About The Position
AVA Rafting & Zipline is seeking experienced, enthusiastic, safety-oriented, and dynamic Whitewater Raft Guides for the summer 2026 season. Guides lead commercial river trips, safely navigate rafts, manage guests, provide interpretive information, and use swiftwater rescue techniques when needed. The role is onsite in Utah, with employee campground accommodation options available. Experienced guides need current, verifiable river miles when employment begins and must complete checkout runs for each river stretch they will guide commercially with AVA. Typical workdays involve two to three trips and last about nine hours. The season runs from June 2026 through September 2026, with full-time and part-time schedules available. The starting pay for experienced guides is $15.56 per hour, with tips commonly adding $10 to $20 per hour on average; guides with additional experience may qualify for further compensation.
Requirements
- Experience on Class III to Class V whitewater.
- Current and verifiable river miles upon employment start.
- Ability to complete checkout runs for each river stretch to be commercially guided with AVA.
- Physical capability and passion for the outdoors.
- Strong teamwork skills.
- Emphasis on customer care.
Nice To Haves
- Up-to-date 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 delivering a positive guest experience.
- Provide interpretive information during river trips.
- 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 commercially guided with AVA.
Benefits
- Employee campground accommodation options.
- Gear discounts through outdoor-industry brands, including The North Face, Yeti, and Patagonia.
- Guest tips commonly add $10 to $20 per hour on average.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
