Senior Expedition Raft Guide and Safety kayaker

Position Purpose

To safely guide and support multi-day rafting expeditions on Grade 4/5 rivers, while also contributing to trip preparation, client services, office administration, and cultural/linguistic support for our international clients. This role combines responsibilities as a Senior Raft Guide and Safety Kayaker, with additional duties in office hours, Marketing, Social Media, logistics, camp cooking, and multilingual client communication.

• Ensure safe operation of all rafting trips.
• Adhere to all company Safety Management Policies and Procedures.
• Provide strong safety leadership and foster a proactive safety culture.
• Monitor, identify, and manage hazards; make sound decisions in dynamic environments.
• Complete safety and operational tasks (pre-trip forms, equipment checks, incident reporting).
• Ability to guide and Safety kayak the highest grade rivers we operate on
• Mentor and support junior guides and trainees.
• Assist with office-based administration when not on river trips and during slower business months (emails, client records, logistics planning).
• Marketing and Social Media responsibilities

• Liaise with management on trip logistics and client details (including medical/dietary information).
• Monitor weather and river flows; plan trip accordingly.
• Coordinate with third-party providers (transport, helicopters, accommodation).
• Oversee preparation/packing (gear, food, communications, first aid, repair kits, vehicles, ect).
• Communicate with clients to ensure adequate preparation (gear, clothing, medical conditions, logistics).
• Ensure all communications equipment is charged and in working condition.
• Prepare trip menus and contribute to food planning.

• Lead rafting trips and coordinate guide team to ensure safe operation.
• Deliver safety and paddle briefings, including clear portage instructions.
• Continuously assess river conditions, client ability, and guide performance.
• Lead and support emergency or incident response.
• Provide training and feedback to junior staff.

• Scout, read, and run rapids independently, identifying hazards and safe routes.
• Provide downstream safety support, prioritising swimmers in difficulty.
• Retrieve equipment (paddles, rafts) while maintaining own craft control.
• Direct rafts through technical rapids using recognised signals.
• Assist in raft rescues (rope deployment, containment, technical rescue).
• Rescue and assist swimmers, including unconscious victims.
• Provide first aid when necessary or paddle out for external assistance.

• Contribute to cooking and meal preparation during multi-day expeditions.
• Support a high standard of camp hygiene, organisation, and group morale.
• Provide hospitality to clients, ensuring comfort and wellbeing on remote trips.
• Communicate effectively with international clients, using additional languages where possible
• Assist in delivering cultural/environmental interpretation to enrich client experience.

• Notify Emergency Contact/Trip Follower of trip completion.
• Lead post-trip debriefs and record trip notes (incidents, river changes, timings).
• Complete all post-trip paperwork, including incident reports.
• Ensure all gear is repaired, maintained, and stored correctly.
• Assist with data entry, reporting, and office records after trips.

• Extensive commercial rafting experience on Grade 4/5 rivers.
• High-level technical whitewater kayaking skills suitable for Grade 4/5 rivers.
• Extensive white water kayaking experience and experience safety kayaking on grade 4/.5 rivers.
• Strong leadership, judgement, and hazard management skills.
• Experience guiding in remote, multi-day expedition environments.
• Ability to prepare group meals and manage camp cooking duties.
• Competence in office-based administration (basic computer skills, record keeping, communications).
• Multilingual ability strongly preferred (i.e - Japanese, Nepalese, Hindi, Spanish, mandarin, etc)
• Effective teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to support and host international clients.

• NZRA Senior Guide certification
• NZRA Grade 4/5 Raft guide Qualification
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification.
• Current River Rescue certification.
• Minimum age: 18 years.
• Driver’s license if required for transport duties