EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH SUNNY COVE SEA KAYAKING

SUMMER 2008

Sea Kayaking Professionals

          Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking is a rapidly growing company offering professionally guided kayaking excursions in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.  We are located approximately 125 miles south of Anchorage and offer 3-hour, full day and multi day kayak/camping excursions from our operations base in Seward and our remote base on Fox Island.
            We are proud of the professional team we have amassed.  Many of our staff members return year after year.  We are currently seeking a few good people to augment our returning staff.  We offer competitive wages, a supportive work environment, housing, staff training and skill development.  We are the largest and most professional sea kayaking company in south-central Alaska.  We are hoping to hire staff members who share our commitment to excellence and appreciation of the natural environment.

Guide Qualifications

Assistant Manager/Lead Guide:  This position is requires assisting the Operations Manager in daily operations as well as facilitating the kayak/camping program.  This is a hands on guiding position involving administrative responsibilities and office time.  Contact Sunny Cove for a detailed job description.  This is a full-time salaried position paying $2,250 to $2,500 per month DOE.

Lead Guide:  This position requires 2+ years of guiding experience in remote locations, expert leadership skills, excellent people skills, effectiveness as a team player, excellent knowledge of natural history, cold water experience and great backcountry cooking skills.  A current WFR/CPR certification is required and ACA or BCU certifications preferred. Pay begins at $150 per day for kayak/camping excursions, $100 per day for full day trips and $50 per trip for 3 hour trips.

Guide:  This position requires 1+ years of guiding experience in remote locations, excellent leadership skills, great people skills, effectiveness as a team player, good knowledge of natural history and some backcountry cooking skills.  A current WFR/CPR certification is required as well as a background in sea kayaking.  Pay begins at $120 per day for kayak/camping adventures, $80 per day for full day trips and $40 per trip for 3 hour trips.

Assistant Guide:  This position requires a background in the outdoors, good people skills, good natural history knowledge and a WFA/CPR certification.  A sea kayaking background is preferred.  Pay begins at $80 per day for kayak/camping adventures, $60 per day for full day trips and $30 per trip for 3 hour trips.  This is an entry level position designed to give one an opportunity to break into the guiding industry.

Sales Staff:  This position requires strong customer service skills, familiarity with computers, database systems and reservations systems.  Our sales staff must have an upbeat personality, be able to thrive in a busy environment and have a love for the outdoors.  This position requires an ability to work independently.  Pay begins at $10 per hour.

What it’s Like to Work for Sunny Cove

            SC guides are generally employed from May to September but find most of the workload arriving in June, July and August.  The shoulder season may be slower, but provides guides with the opportunity to take on side projects or perhaps travel Alaska.  During the busy season, the schedule can be hectic and pay and tips can be great.  Those who are available for the entirety of the season will be given hiring preference although there are a few high season positions available.
            Guiding generally entails leading or assisting our many day tour opportunities.  Guides with seniority and experience are given first priority on overnight trips.  However, most guides will find they have an opportunity to experience an overnight adventure in Kenai Fjords National Park.
            Housing at SC consists of communal yurts and cooking areas. Housing is available to guide staff only. Administrative staff is responsible for finding their own housing.   Space can be limited and patience and the ability to live in a friendly, communal environment is necessary.  It's not uncommon to find guides enjoying fresh salmon around the campfire after trips are finished for the day. We have a history of having a musically inclined staff and the sounds of impromptu jam sessions are often heard on the breeze. We do not allow pets of any kind in employee housing.
Housing opportunities do exist outside of SC, however the housing market in Seward can be challenging.  Guides are generally scheduled between two locations, Seward and Fox Island, creating a ‘rotating’ household. Some meals are provided when scheduled on Fox Island.
           Living in Seward is rewarding! Seward and the surrounding area is home to world-class fishing, hiking, biking, climbing, kayaking, rafting, wildlife viewing, ice climbing, boating and photography. With more than 17 hours of daylight during the summer it's pretty easy to find time to explore.

Our Expectations

            All potential guides must possess a strong work ethic as well as a desire to become an integral component of a hard-working, professional team.  Sunny Cove is renowned for the level of friendliness, safety standards, customer service and professionalism of its staff.  We love to hire people who are outgoing, caring, social and who love to share their enthusiasm for kayaking and Alaska.
          Sunny Cove promotes a healthy work environment. All Sunny Cove properties and facilities are smoke free areas. Guides will not be permitted to smoke while in the field.

Requirements for applicants

          All applicants must be able to prove eligibility to lawfully gain employment in the United States. Sunny Cove does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must also be able to provide a current (less than 30 days) driving record from the state of license. Applicants must have all relevant medical certifications prior to arrival if hired.
          To apply please complete an online application. Once an application has been completed email a resume, field log briefly outlining past guiding experience, current medical and kayaking related certifications and three references to Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking Company.

An application, resume, field log and references must be submitted to be considered for employment.

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