Whitewater River Raft Guide Professionals

An industry leader and growing company in Western Washington whitewater rafting is accepting applications for new members to our 2024 staff. Triad guides take pride in facilitating relationships between humans and nature on the rivers of Western Washington in the safest way possible. Excellent wages. Flexible scheduling available. Progressive outlook on a vital industry.

Check out our website for details:We are a leave no trace, minimalist ethics centered equal opportunity outdoor whitewater company serving Washington State with operations out of Bellingham, Monroe, and North Bend, and are looking to hire photographers, customer service, as well as professional guides, and guide trainees for our upcoming 2024 season.

Currently looking for qualified and highly motivated professionals and willing trainees in the outdoor guiding industry. In WA we will run the Sauk, Skykomish, Nooksack, Snoqualmie, and Skagit Rivers. Training starts in April with our in house sponsored Swiftwater Rescue Training Course. Entry level guides may want to utilize their first season to train while going to school. Experienced guides can start anytime; we are busiest June-August and have a program that is built around the quarter system and academic calendars.

For all guides we require a valid 50 hour certification which surpasses RCW 79A.60.430 from a viable quality Washington outfitter. We do require all higher tier guides to have Wilderness First Aid/First Responder (WFA/WFR) certification, as well as Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT-1). Our pay scale is significantly higher than the going market rate and thus we expect our guides to make these investments prior to being paid in our higher wage brackets. For lesser experienced guides we have a program to invest mutually in your skill development as you are able to progress as an asset to our crew.

This current pay-scale system correlates roughly to the following hourly wage rates (note that most trips are 4 hours long & most days are 1-3 trips per day, with 3 trips days likely on weekends and 1-2 trip days on weekdays):

Tier 1/entry level employee: $18/hr. Entry level guide with state minimum requirements. 50 hour WA guide certification and First Aid/CPR card required to guide at entry level

Tier 1.5/qualified rookie: . $21/hr. Rookies that have swiftwater rescue training (PRO-1 provided to committed guides) and any advanced medical training WFA/WFR/EMT (if you need help attaining these qualifications Triad can help via our training program). Most rookie guides start at this wage after completing guide training and passing evaluations showing improvement in skills and competency after 10 commercial trips.

Tier 2/veteran: $25/hr. At least 2 of the above qualifications required. Standard minimum 2 years guiding. This is the starting wage for incoming veteran guides, who are given an evaluation after 2 weeks or 10 commercially guided trips, prior to being moved to tier 3. That is to say if you are a vet you will be at this tier during your 2 week evaluation period. First year (“rookie”) guides who show high levels of competency and development reach this pay tier during their first season.

Tier 3/dedicated professional: $28/hr. At least 3 of the above qualifications required. Standard minimum 4 years guiding. This wage tier is common for industry professionals that are in their first year at Triad. It is rare but not impossible for a first year guide to reach this pay tier through exceptional work. This pay tier is the most common paid to guides at our company.

Tier 4/Triad trip leader: $32/hr. At least 4 of the above qualifications required. Additional discretionary bonuses as agreed. Minimum 4 years guiding and one full year with Triad. The majority of our returning senior guides are at this pay tier.

Tier 5/Triad river manager: $36/hr. River Manager (additional discretionary bonuses as agreed). Minimum 4 years guiding. Guides at this tier typically are responsible for all aspects of river trips on a given section of river, and are fully committed to Triad River Tours. It is possible to have more than one river manager on each river, and it is also possible for one river manager to manage more than one river.

Tier 5+/Triad operations manager: $38/hr. This tier is reserved for staff who are responsible for the entire operational segment. Typically this can only be 2 or 3 people total across the entire company.

Note: We pay fuel expense for any traveling that is done in a personal vehicle in service to Triad River Tours (as agreed to by management). These wages do not include tips, housing, or other fringe benefits of the position (only what we pay you).

Note: Trips are often paid at a standard/minimum of 4 hours each. There is a maximum of 3 trips per day. The average number of trips per day worked over the course of the summer is 1.7 trips per day; this means that most guides tend to work almost 2 trips per day on average.

Note: Guides are encouraged to work 4 days per week. Guides are allowed to work 2 trips per day on busy days, or 3 trips per day, typically there is a “morning shift” where guides work the morning (9am), mid-day (1pm) trip and are off work by 5pm, -or- they work the “evening shift” and work the mid-day (1pm) and afternoon (5pm) trips, and are off work by 9pm. Guides may choose to work all 3 trips in a day. Notably, if a guide works 2 busy 3 trip days, they will work 24 hours in just those two days; this is a good way to maximize earnings within a shorter amount of time, and give yourself 3 days off during the summer, while also making a great wage. We advise that guides who are physically capable of the rigors of working 3 trips days take a look at this setup.

We thrive on adversity, and look for opportunities to improve within the context and time of our challenges. We're are an industry leader and have great confidence in our approach; A well built foundation of skills in river running, rescue, professionalism/hospitality, coupled with meticulous study of systems, procedures, and rescue protocols, followed by individual creativity and a collaborative work environment which empowers free thinkers. Because we operate on several challenging rivers we really are looking for people who want to operate at the highest level and take a great deal of pride in their work.

We are strong supporters of equality and a diverse workplace. We will absolutely not discriminate against anyone for gender, ethnicity, religion, or on any other basis.

Applicants must include a phone number and best time to call. Phone interviews typically followed by in person interview. Please be honest about your skills and abilities, per the norm.

First year guides and trainees are welcome to apply with no experience. We offer a guide training program that exceeds state and federal minimums, and can offer swiftwater rescue training.