Raft Guide

From North Carolina to Alaska to the high Andes to Ecuador, The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is a values-based outdoor and adventure education provider for teens and adults interested in personal growth and professional development. NCOAE develops and facilitates professionally guided outdoor experiences to foster an engaged educational community, through personal growth and the acquisition of technical and academic skills.  

NCOAE is seeking energetic, positive and ambitious individuals to join our team for the 2024 season. We are currently hiring experienced raft river guides, to work as a paddle captains or rower for trip contracts for our upcoming rafting season on the Deschutes River. Guides manage the safety of the students while also working as a Field Instructor, co-facilitating multi-day adventure education programming in the field, including rafting, kayaking, and more! Instructors also manage risks and assure effective courses, while serving as an educator and role model.

Must be able to teach and facilitate NCOAE’s curriculum to teens and adults, complete documentation accurately and in a timely fashion and participate in pre-trip and post-trip briefs. Additional duties include facilitating a meaningful group experience and setting an emotionally and physically safe, fun and engaging tone for students to follow. NCOAE is proud to be an AEE (Association for Experiential Education) accredited organization.

We focus on providing the highest level of safety, professionalism and customer satisfaction. Guides with previous commercial rafting experience are given preference for hiring.

Skills proficiency on the Deschutes River must be demonstrated before guides may take clients down the river.  River guides are expected to have up to date certifications in Wilderness First Aid & CPR. Wilderness First Responder and Swiftwater Rescue Training certifications are a plus.

Typical river guide duties include:

• Guide clients safely down (Class II, III & IV) sections of the Deschutes River.
• Fit clients with gear and PFDs and assist as needed.
• Conduct a safety orientation talk for clients about to embark on a raft trip.
• Rig boats with appropriate gear for the trip type.
• Converse with clients about the climate, history, wildlife, geology, and plants of the area.
• Treat all clients with courtesy.
• Maintain friendly, positive attitude towards clients and coworkers.
• Assist in the maintenance of equipment, e.g, wash equipments, etc.
• Lift and stack heavy boats onto trailers; unload and launch boats.
• Safely drive shuttle vehicles pulling trailers loaded with rafts.
• Be a team player. Display good judgment. Be dependable, punctual.
• Be willing to assist management with the repair and maintenance of all equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with rafting companies, wilderness programs, outdoor education, residential summer camps, or related field
• Strong Critical Thinking and Problem Solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team, with little supervision.
• Current Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification.
• Competency in risk management skills

Preferred:

• 3+ years experience leading rafting trips
• Experience leading domestic and/or international outdoor education programs a plus
• Current WFR or WEMT certification
• Current Swiftwater Rescue certification
• Master’s, Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in adventure education, outdoor education, recreation, wilderness leadership or related degree