Academy Instructor – Kayak
Do you want to get paid to play outside, and spend time helping others have amazing adventures in Humboldt? Do you feel at home on the water, paddling the Lagoons, the open ocean, or Humboldt Bay? Does the thought of having to work at a desk or stare at a screen all day make you feel dead inside? Are you the kind of person in your friend group always planning the next outdoor adventure or camping trip? Are you a hard worker with a great sense of humor, a healthy dose of energy, and a commitment to safety first?
If you said “YES!” to all of these, then you’re who we’ve been looking for to be a kayaking guide for Pacific Outfitters.
Location: Our store is located in Eureka, CA, but guided tours are throughout Humboldt County
Job Type: Seasonal/Part time
Compensation: Piece Rate, based on activity
To apply for this position, please download and fill out an
Employment Application
Then email it, along with your resume, to
employment@pacificoutfitters.com
No walk-ins please.
Who We Are
We are an outdoor sporting goods store based in Eureka, California (with a second store location in Ukiah, California). Since 1968, we’ve been committed to preparing our customers for their next adventure while also making a positive impact on people and the planet. While our roots are in the retail business, we started guided adventure tours and classes in 2013. We offer a range of guided experiences, such as:
- Guided Kayak and Canoe Adventures
- Guided Surfing & SUP Adventures
- Diving Certification
- Guided Hikes
- Firearm Classes
At our core, we’re just a bunch of outdoor enthusiasts who are stoked to share our love for adventure with our customers. These are the values that guide our business every day.
Our Values
Love for Adventure: We love sharing our excitement for the outdoors with our customers. Every item in our store and every outdoor experience we lead is designed to help enhance your pursuit of adventure!
Prepared for Anything: Adventures always have an element of the unexpected. We work hard to make sure you are never unprepared for the road ahead.
Committed to Stewardship: We want to make sure our actions have a positive impact on our community and our planet. We partner with eco-conscious brands, proactively support our local community, and we take the initiative to leave our green spaces better than we found them.
These are the skills and tasks required to be one of our adventure guides.
- Must be knowledgeable about the area and the activity, prepared to safely guide clients throughout the experience
- Must possess the requisite knowledge and training with regard to conditions at sea as well as on lakes and rivers both during summer and winter.
- On-the-water training on proper usage of towlines is required before leading an activity.
- Establish a prepared and safe trip by verifying that the area is available and weather conditions are acceptable, proactively communicating with administrative staff ahead of time
- Must be able to adequately prepared for all tours and trips
- Prepare a lesson/float plan,
- Obtain a signed waiver from each Client
- Prepare all vehicles and equipment prior to the client’s arrival
- Must be able to guide clients through experience with approachable demeanor and safety focus
- Review the class outline with clients, instructing them on proper technique, and explaining the communication terminology and signals used while on the water, the contingency plans for emergencies and accidents, and the hazards of the activity.
- Be proactively attentive to all clients to ensure the best possible experience. Assist clients with launching their boat. If it’s a Client’s first time in a boat, the Instructor/Guide must provide extra instruction so that the Client’s boat doesn’t capsize when they’re first on the water. Once the Clients have successfully launched, the Instructor/Guide gives clear direction on a rally point or boundaries to congregate within while other clients launch their boats.
- Keep the group close together and constantly checks the surroundings, Clients, and potential hazards
- Provide clear direction on where the clients should be heading, breaking up long distances with periods of rest
- Direct and assist clients while landing boats
- Assist with the clean up after a tour to ensure a smooth process
- Verify that all the gear and equipment has been returned
- Load the gear and equipment, securing it for safe transport
- Unload and clean all gear and equipment, staging it for easy loading for the next Activity.
- Any damage or loss that occurred during the trip must be notated on the Equipment Checklist, which is then turned into the manager/Safety Program Admin
- Files all waivers, checklists, and any Incident/Injury reports for the trip
Academy employee benefits include paid sick leave and employee discounts on products, classes, tours and rentals.