Company Profile:

Based in Sandpoint, Idaho, Breakwater Expeditions operates multi-day backcountry wilderness trips in Prince William Sound, Alaska; Exuma Cays, Bahamas; Everglades, Florida; Upper Missouri River, Montana; Black Canyon, Nevada; Big Bend, Texas; Green River, Utah; San Juan Islands, Washington; and Yellowstone N.P., Wyoming.  Our trips are a majority of sea kayaking, river canoeing, ocean canoeing, and backpacking. We average 25-30 trips a year.

Breakwater Expeditions specializes in creating custom outdoor programming for traditional and therapeutic schools and programs, non-profits, and other entities that share a common thread.  In addition, Breakwater also offers therapeutic and non-therapeutic single and multi-family trips.  We have a wide range of clientele that expects extremely experienced and professional guiding and leadership.

Job Position Overview:

The Breakwater Guide will supervise the client’s staff and participants to provide physically and emotionally safe expedition activities and ensure that all trip dynamics are run in accordance with the standards of Breakwater Expeditions.  Ideal candidates are dynamic and experienced guides who have a passion to help facilitate meaningful and goal-oriented expeditions for our groups.

Appropriate candidates will have strong interpersonal and technical skills and are looking for opportunities to grow in the outdoor industry. Applicants must have the ability to plan and execute work effectively, demonstrate clear and concise expression of ideas, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and the general public.

Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Plan, manage and execute logistics (food, itinerary, equipment, organization/planning) and programming for trips.
• When applicable, plan, manage and execute programming.
• When required make pre-trip participant calls as well as facilitate group video conferencing with participants and staff to prep the group for the upcoming trip.
• Ability to work and assist participants in staying healthy, safe, and comfortable in varying climates.
• Manage emergency situation and adhere to all local operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency response plans as outlined within the staff manual.
• Provide clear and effective communication with the Breakwater management and staffing team.
• Drive 15 passenger van with a fully loaded trailer for long distances.   

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Possess a general zest for life and a propensity toward laughter.
• Expedition experience in remote backcountry areas for backpacking, sea kayaking, and/or canoeing.
• Is highly comfortable in the outdoors and has a strong ability for self-care to ensure the primary focus is on the expedition and its participants.
• Ability to maintain and support appropriate professional boundaries with clients and participants.
• Baseline understanding of map and compass navigation, land, oceanic, and rivers.
• Proficiency in flat-water canoeing and/or sea kayaking.
• Awareness of outdoor hazards and local area weather patterns, as well as tide charts and flash flood warnings.
• Must be flexible and willing to accept changes.
• Ability to build rapport quickly with participants of multiple ages, backgrounds, genders, ethnicity, etc.
• Effective communication with participants, program staff, and co-guides.
• Comfortable giving and receiving feedback to and from co-guides and management team.

Additional Qualifications:

• Must be 21 years or older
• 2-5 years of guiding experience
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Possess a current WFR and CPR
• Willingness to participate in a background check and a motor vehicle record check

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and transport 50 lbs. of gear and sometimes over multiple times a day.
• Able to work outdoors regardless of weather and season.

Compensation:

• Compensation ranges from $150/day – $225/day, with $100/day for prep and break down days on either side of the trip.
• The right candidate will move up the ladder quickly!