Kayak Guide on Tomales Bay
Organization: Blue Waters Kayaking ( Under New Management)
Location: Point Reyes Station & Tomales, Marin County, CA
Primary Category: Full time, Part time, Seasonal
Wage Rates: Competitive and depends on experience. $16.00-$25.00 + tips. Compensation for night tours averages $200.00, while day tours average $100.00-120.00 per tour.
Description & Details
Our kayaking tours create impactful nature experiences for our participants, and we have a dedicated team of professionals making it all happen. Kayak guides play a crucial role in ensuring that our participants have memorable experiences and are an integral part of our team.
Blue Waters Kayaking is committed to working with our National Park Service and State Park partners and the vast community of people who care about our planet. We are passionate about ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do.
Our mission
To transform lives through immersive experiences in nature, focusing on water-based activities and local habitat education. We aim to foster an understanding of the importance of preserving our natural world by educating our participants on local history, Tomales Bay, its watershed, and the reasons behind the preservation of Point Reyes National Seashore for present and future generations.
Our Impact
For more than 30 years, we've been a part of the outdoor recreation community in West Marin. We engage with more than 9000 youth and adults annually through our day tours, overnights, rentals, and school events and have been featured in many local and national magazines, television programs, and newspapers.
A message about our company culture
Our Company Culture: Respect, Care, and Collaboration
At our company, we prioritize respect, care, and collaboration. We value open communication and encourage team members to share their perspectives openly, make recommendations, and provide feedback to help us grow and improve. We are committed to creating an inclusive and transparent workplace where every team member plays a vital role in our success.
Guide Responsibilities
Instruct customers on boat use, gear use, and safety instruction.
Appropriately manage customers’ physical and emotional safety on each tour.
Make necessary adjustments to the tour plan to respond to potential or actual weather hazards.
Develop safety plans and manage emergencies per policy using your best judgment.
Build rapport with tour participants and facilitate positive interactions AND effectively assess participants' needs.
Take initiative and carry out necessary tasks individually, as well as work cooperatively as a team.
Offer insightful interpretation to guests on natural and cultural history topics relevant to the tour.
Load and unload kayak trailer. Ability to lift 50 lb+ a must.
Clean and maintain kayak equipment.
Qualifications
-Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
-Current First Aid and CPR certifications or willingness to certify.
-Positive and supportive team player.
-Excellent verbal communication skills.
-Physically fit, able to work long hours in the field, and lift and carry heavy objects (50+ pounds) over awkward terrain.
-Willing and eager to interact positively with a range of age groups, from small children to seniors.
-Interpersonal Knowledge and Skill: Work effectively with students 12-18+ years in age who have never kayak or
camped before
-Must possess current CPR and/or Wilderness First Aid(WFA) or Responder (WFR) Certifications or must demonstrate intent to obtain prior to the start of training
-Possess the mental stamina, adaptability, and emotional maturity to work and thrive in austere/remote/challenging environments
-Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people, to create an environment of inclusion and cooperation
-Ability to take ownership and practice humility in your personal journey toward building a more inclusive and safe workspace
-Open to learning about and educating others on the Tomales Bay watershed and marine ecosystems.
-Familiarity with Leave No Trace practices
-Must have a clean driving record.
-Must adhere to BWK drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free workplace policy.
A plus:
-1 year (or seasonal equivalent) of extensive and comparable experience in risk management, experiential learning,
and/or outdoor education
-Experience with Tomales Bay and overnight camping
-Academic or professional background or equivalent experience in natural science, western American history,
environmental education or conservation-related field.
Term & Commitment
With our high season is May-October applicants must be available to attend guide training, work weekends nights
Must possess current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and/or CPR Certifications or must demonstrate intent to obtain prior to the start of training
Benefits:
-Industry Pro-Deals, discounts from partner brands and other top outdoor gear providers
-Staff guide training
-Work on a beach in beautiful Tomales Bay State Park
-Competitive pay
-Professional development opportunities
-Employee discounts on outdoor gear purchases and equipment rentals
-Opportunities to learn about the cultural and natural history of Tomales Bay and surrounding areas in the Point Reyes
National Seashore.