Job description

Housing options available

Enjoy an incredible summer in SE Alaska!

The tourists are coming - and they have tips!

Skagway 2023 Chilkoot Trail Hike & Float Guide

Job Description

Overview

The Skagway Guide’s main responsibility is to carry out the company’s mission of providing clients with a safe, enjoyable, and educational wilderness experience. The Skagway Guide will lead clients up the Chilkoot Trail and down the Taiya River safely and enthusiastically with an ultimate goal of satisfied passengers at the end of each trip.

Company History

Started in 1978 by Bart Henderson, Chilkat Guide’s mission was to expose as many people as possible to the great outdoors. This goal was taken to a new level with the growth of cruising in Alaska. Chilkat Guides has since grown to be one of the largest summer employers in the towns of Haines and Skagway.

The majority of the people we guide today are participating in cruise ship shore excursions. We offer the opportunity to raft through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Haines or hike up the historic Chilkoot Trail in Skagway. A smaller facet of the company guides select groups of guests down the Tatshenshini and Alsek rivers on multi-day adventures that begin in the Yukon and finish in a small fishing village in Glacier Bay National Park.

Chilkat Guides has a proud history of high quality trips and even higher quality guides. It is our belief that the guides and support staff ultimately make the trip. We expect the most out of all of our employees and insist on rigorous training prior to being hired. This is a steppingstone into the wider world of guiding and we will teach anyone with the right aptitude and attitude.

Tour Description

Hike the historic Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. This world famous trail was the main route to the riches of the Klondike during the gold rush. Enjoy the exercise, fresh air, beautiful scenery, pristine forests, and history of a bygone era as the trail takes you up and over the 350' tall Saintly Hill. Where the trail reaches the banks of the Taiya River you will board an 18-foot inflatable raft for a scenic float (no whitewater) back down the tidal estuary, where the forest gives way to fields of beach greens and wild iris, and the granite walls of the fjord rise steeply to the snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers. Enjoy a riverside snack and countless picture-perfect moments before making the return journey back to your ship.

There are also two variations on the Hike & Float Tour. Guests are able to book a float-only version, which is the tour as mentioned above without the hiking portion. Guests can also book a Hike, Float, & Summit Drive, which is the above description with a drive to the White Pass Summit added at the end. For the summit drive, passports are required for all guides and guests.

Additionally, Hike & Float guides will train into the “gear guide” position. This position is the behind the scenes person who ensures all rafts and gear are set and clean for guests when their hike ends at the riverbank. The gear position requires driving a box truck with a raft trailer attached and operating an electric or hand crank crane to load/unload rafts from the trailer. The gear person is also the liaison between the guide on the trail/river and the office via radio for all incidents.

Essential Job Functions

• Responsible for safety and satisfaction of each of his/her passengers throughout entire duration of tour.
• Responsible for following a strict daily schedule.
• Responsible for cleanliness and excellent maintenance of gear, trail, put-ins, and take-outs.
• Responsible for communicating all incidents to Skagway Manager as soon as possible.
• Responsible for communicating all gear and vehicle issues to manager.
• Responsible for entering all hours on a daily basis into our online time clock system Timeforce.
• Must be a good communicator with the willingness to teach and entertain his/her clients.
• Must possess the desire to continually improve his/her knowledge and skills.
• Must at all times be clean, well groomed, courteous, honest, and reliable.
• Must possess a positive attitude that is friendly, considerate, strong, and energetic.
• Must be willing to work as a strong team member, assisting in the maintenance of group morale.
• The Skagway Guide reports to the Skagway Hike & Float Manager and Skagway Program Manager.

Experience Required to Perform Job Requirements

• Prior guiding, leadership, and tourism experience helpful.
• Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds repeatedly throughout each day.
• Must be able to carry loads over uneven ground.
• Must possess strong work ethic.
• Must be punctual.
• Must be organized.
• Must have great, positive attitude.
• Must be comfortable speaking to large groups of people.
• Must be willing to become or be currently certified as a Wilderness First Responder, in CPR, and in Swift Water Rescue. WFR or above is required for guiding positions.
• Must have a clean driving record and be able to obtain an Alaska driver’s license and Skagway Chauffeur Permit. OR Must have or be willing to obtain a class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

CDL Driving:

• Candidates willing to obtain a valid Class B CDL and contribute to bus driving duties for these and other tours are preferred.
• Have and maintain a Class B CDL with Passenger and Airbrakes endorsement.
• Pass FMCSA required pre-employment drug tests & screening.
• Be enrolled in an FMCSA required random drug testing program.
• Have and maintain a valid Medical Examiner’s Card.
• Complete AMG Skagway Driver training program.

Skagway Specific Employee Information

General Questions:

This summary guide you through what are likely some initial questions you might have regarding the following: Employee Training, Professionalism, Training Courses, Mid-Season Operations, Living Space and Rent Structure, Program Equipment, Standard Dress Requirements, Pro-Deals, Pets, Travel and Logistics. These items are all outlined in detail in the Employee Manual. Please feel free to direct any questions to the AMG office by email or phone.

Guide School

Guide training (Guide School) will provide a foundation for you to build & enhance your guiding resume. It also serves to put in place a set of standards we expect all our staff to maintain. Prior to your arrival you will receive your Employee Manual and complete all CG specific employment paperwork. Upon your arrival to Skagway or Haines for guide school, you will receive a Guide Training Manual, and Historical and Cultural Manuals. You will also complete all remaining U.S. employment paperwork.

The Skagway training is structured with the expectations that guides complete the preseason reading and familiarize themselves with the other applicable materials before they arrive in Skagway. For new guides, there is a wealth of information in the required readings that provides the platform for the training and allows the training to be covered thoroughly in three weeks. Guide School for all new river guides takes place in Haines, please confirm your intended arrival plans with the office prior to booking tickets.

Training:

All new employees must participate in Guides School Courses provided through the International Wilderness Leadership School (IWLS) for your chosen discipline (rock, rafting, etc.). As previously mentioned, IWLS is an accredited, recognized leader in experiential education. These courses will develop your technical, decision making, and leadership skills. Successful completion of these courses will grant you IWLS certifications. These skills are transferrable and can be used with any similar employer or even for recreation purposes. For over 30 years, our clients have been participating in the same courses — often gaining college credit. You are not being charged for these courses.

After these courses, the training will focus on company-specific policies and procedures. This segment will take the skills taught in the IWLS portion and teach you how to utilize them successfully as an employee of AMG/CG. Training length may vary depending on class size and how quickly you demonstrate leadership and technical proficiency. Employment is subject to your successfully completing the IWLS courses.

IWLS courses for Hike & Float Guides:

• IWLS Raft School, 13 days (Certification for rafting may take significantly longer depending on how long it takes to verify rafting skills.)
• IWLS Swiftwater Rescue, 3 days (SWR cost)
• IWLS Alaska Guide School, 3-4 days
• IWLS Wilderness First Responder, 10 days (WFR cost)
• Reading rivers, rowing, rescues

• Trail, spiel, trip logistics
• Check-off on river
• Shadow two trips
• Get shadowed on a full trip by a manager or senior guide
• Start working!

Paid Training for all guides, 1-2 days (Emergency Response, Dock Rep training, etc). You may be required to cross train and take additional training to expand your opportunities and provide greater flexibility.

Guide Professionalism

CG employees represent the company whether they are working with clients on the river or sitting at a restaurant in Skagway. CG expects employees to hold themselves to the highest character at all times and provide a leading example in the community for the type of behavior associated with the quality guide service that employs them.

Long trip Opportunities – CG, AMG, MGI & IWLS

Chilkat Guides, Alaska Mountain Guides and Climbing School, Mountain Guides International, and the International Wilderness Leadership School offer a wide range of long trips, courses and guided and educational programming in Alaska and around the world.

CG frequently selects from amongst candidates who complete guide training courses to continue in other employment and long trip opportunities with the CG and AMG companies. CG evaluates employees through all aspects of their employment and selects the best candidates for opportunities in other programs.

Pre and Post Season

The tourism season follows a cycle that controls workloads. Cruise ships start arriving in the first week of May and the season ends in the last week of September. Generally, employees will work from 20-35 hours/week in the shoulder months of May and September. Hours will increase through the first two weeks of June to full capacity of 35 to 40+ hours/week. These shoulder periods are an excellent time to tour the area and do some outdoor exploration.

Mid-Season Operations

Early to Mid-June through Late August is the height of the cruise line season. In this period guides may be required to work up to 40+ hours/week.

During the height of the season long periods of time off will likely not be able to be provided. This is the heart of the season and flexibility and dedication are required from the staff to meet the demand of our cruise line clients and our other long trip programs.

Living Space and Rent Structure

Employee housing is located in downtown Skagway, the grocery store and other local attractions are within walking distance from housing. Accommodations consist of shared rooms typically 2-4 beds to a room, although the largest room is a 6-occupant bunkroom. Each house features shared bathrooms, a kitchen area, and living room. Employees residing in housing are expected to respect others and maintain a clean and respectable living area. Rent procedures are clearly outlined in the Employee Manual. The two downtown houses share a large yard and mountain views, providing a fantastic base for our team. Our mid-town house is the senior-staff housing option and affords a quieter space and more privacy than the downtown housing. Space in the mid-town house is typically reserved for employees who have been with the company multiple seasons.

Each house has a specific house manager who will be responsible for the weekly chore schedule and chore completion check-off’s. House managers will call attention to any issues within the housing unit and employees are encouraged to let their house manager know if they experience any issues.

Additional Notes:

• Bedding and personal items are not included
• Rent deductions are made twice a month with 50% of the month’s rent deducted from the 1st and 2nd paycheck.
• Rent is prorated for the first month, rent for the last pay period will be deducted in full even if you vacate housing early.
• Employees must vacate housing within 72 hours of their final shift unless other arrangements have been approved by management.
• Pets - No pets are allowed in the AMG housing or on the AMG property unless otherwise approved by management.
• Failure to abide by rules outlined in the employee manual and housing agreement may result in immediate expulsion from employee housing.

Guide Program Equipment

As a part of the guide kit, guides will be required to purchase a Mountain Hardwear/Black Diamond rain shell and Black Diamond softshell jacket embroidered with the company logo for program use. CG will provide T-shirts, name tag, a hat, and a hex key free of charge as part of the guide kit. The cost of the guide kit will be deducted from guide wages mid-summer.

Guides will be required to provide their own life jacket, boots, rain pants, whistle and river knife. CG can help facilitate purchase of any of these items through the various equipment companies that we are partnered with. These items must be acquire prior to your first day of training.

Additional Job Responsibilities

Employees will be called on to participate in a variety of activities associated with the hike & float operation, and residential upkeep. Routine maintenance of rafts and guest equipment is an expected part of the position. Daily operations also include vehicle cleaning and washing as well as other maintenance.

Employees may be called on to share driving responsibilities and potentially other part time office duties. Driving is an important part of the program and guides will be expected to not only be safe and abide by all local and state driving regulations but also to be entertaining for our guests. The drive to and from the river is an opportunity to enhance the guest’s experience by providing historical and interesting information about the town, its history, the beautiful outdoors surrounding us, and other types of trips and programs that the guests can participate in the future with CG. Please see the requirements for CDL driving in above CDL description.

The ability to be flexible with schedules and adapt to changes, sometimes with short notice, is a requirement and expectation of your employment.

Standard Dress and Professional Appearance

Chilkat Guides requires guides to maintain a professional image at all times. As outlined in the Guide Manual, you will be issued guiding equipment and clothing that will be required to be worn at all times while working. Personal pants will be neat and clean without stains, holes or other frayed areas.

The standard Skagway uniform is your name tag, tucked in CG uniform shirt and/or guide jacket. Closed toed outdoor shoes/boots are required on the dock. Personal pants will be neat and clean without stains, holes or other frayed areas.

CG requires staff to be clean with appropriate hygiene and appear professional while working. There are showers available in both of the guide houses and there are no excuses for not meeting these standards.

Pro-Deals

CG provides the opportunity for employees to have access to top end outdoor merchandise and equipment at discounted rates. CG is pleased to work with NRS to meet many of our program needs. These programs are a privilege and considered a perk of the job. Abuse of these opportunities is taken very seriously and will result in loss of privileges and disciplinary action. Specific details will be outlined upon arrival in Skagway.

Travel and Logistics

Employees are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Skagway. CG will assist wherever possible in helping outline necessary steps in travel plans. Please make arrangements with a few days on either end of the season for mishaps. Alaska weather can stop planes, as well as boats from departing.

Please arrive in Skagway or Haines as directed at least the day prior to your first day to training; this will give us all time to prepare for the upcoming events.

In order to prepare better for your guide training and work this summer we STRONGLY suggest familiarizing the books on the suggested reading list sent to you. Here are a few suggestions from the list:

• Chilkoot Pass by Archie Satterfield
• The Nature of Southeast Alaska by Carstensen, Armstrong & O’Clair

Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, BC & Alaska by Pojar

• Guide to the Birds of Alaska by Robert H. Armstrong

The Nature of Alaska: An Introduction to Familiar Plants, Animals … by Kavanagh & Leung

• The Alaska Almanac by Gates and Whitekeys
• The Tlingit (Olson) published by Heritage Research
• Skagway: City of the New Century by Jeff Brady

Please understand as much general history about Skagway and Haines before you arrive.

This is just a brief overview. Please remember when you arrive in Alaska you will receive a complete Guide Training Manual, and History of Skagway, Etc. We look forward to having you as a part of the team for what will be an exciting and rewarding summer!!

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: From $14.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay
• Tips

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Skagway, AK: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Application Question(s):

• Will you be able to be in Haines, AK by April 10th, 2023?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Customer service: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location

colinoncars.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, colinoncars.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, colinoncars.com is the ideal place to find your next job.