Summers in Door County = sailing, kayaking, kitesurfing, and relaxing on the beach.
Positions Available for 2008 - Internships / Full Time / Part Time
Get College Credit! Internships are available for students and are usually given preference for hiring- indicate interest in this by writing "INTERNSHIP or APPRENTICE " at top of resume!
-Outdoor Recreation
-Ecologist
-Naturalist
-Geologist
-Quick
-Sports Photography
-Website Integration
-Online Sales
-More...
-Base Operations
-Sales Rep
-Reservationist
- Marketing
-Advertising
-Web Page Management
Kayak Guide Job Description: Must be self motivated! Most of this job will be unsupervised and we need people who can handle that responsibility. Guides will lead daily tours (see our tour descriptions) in the local Door County waters. Guides give paddling instruction, lead safe tours according to company guidlelines and provide interesting, funny and informative narratives.
Basic 3-4 Hour Tour Kayak Guide Duties:
Set up Van with Kayaks/Paddles/PFD's
Meet and Greet Guests,
Listen to local weather radio and decide which location to paddle
Convey paddling iternary to Guests
Transport guests and kayaks to location
Set up Kayaking location.
Guide
Pack up and return to headquarters
Thank and ask customers to return.
Log trip details
Photography Duties
Take Photos of seascapes, guests and everyday operations. Post them on the web, market them to guests.
Journalist Duties
Host a trip blog, write stories for the local papers, submit entries to travel, paddling magazines, and newspapers.
Ecologist/Naturalist Duties
Research local ecology, geology, and the natural environment. Provide a unique way of presenting LNT (Leave-no-trace)ethics to customers. Develop ideas / programs to network with local ecological groups and nonprofits.
Kayak Guide Requirements: A high self motivation or desire to be a Guide! You possess or have the potential to possess strong leadership abilities in outdoor situations; able to lead detailed discussions or willing to learn about natural history, geology, andr ecology. Experience and comfort with being on the water; camping, swimming and kayaking. Driver's license and clean record with no moving violations in past 3 years is a plus. Guides must be First Aid / CPR certified and be legally able to work in the United States. Guides must possess strong communication skills, be physically fit and be able to work long hours during the busy summer months. Guides do not need to be sea kayakers as we provide extensive training. Enrollment and successful completion of our intensive pre-season “Sea Kayak Guide Training Program” is mandatory. Excellent communication and organizational skills. Ability to work smoothly with both the public and staff under occasionally demanding situations. Previous office experience is a must with strong computer and telephone skills. Driver's license and clean driving record are appreciated. Knowledge of outdoor recreation is a definite plus for answering questions. Office staff will need to learn about the area and our program very quickly in order to sell our trips effectively. A genuine love of the outdoors, an adaptive and creative interest in guiding safe, fun and informative trips are the most important qualities we seek in our guides.
Kayak Guide Training:"Kayak Guide Training Camp ” takes place TBA. Training consists of sea kayak skills training, rescue training and trip leadership training all of which is conducted in kayaks. We also spend time learning about the local area and ecology. Guides will demonstrate their skills at the end of the training. Our guides are trained during two overnight kayak training camps. Our first camp will consist of getting to know the basics of Door County Kayak Tours and some basic kayaking rescue classes. The second camp will take place a week or two later(TBA) to give time for practice. When completed, you will feel confident of your skills and prepared for whatever happens on the water, as you will have practiced it in all conditions.
Guide Training location: Rock Island State Park or Newport State Park (TBA)
Guide Salary:Starting wage for a training guide is $8/hr +tips+goods commision(photos,t-shirts, bookings)for basic first year training guide, certifications, midseason performance based assesment, goods commisions and experience will adjust wage. Wages go up incrementally throughout season. Training wage usually lasts two-three weeks, based on hours on the water, and assesment.
Guide Benefits: Benefits include access to company kayaking gear on a space available basis (and according to skills), pro-deals on many brands of outdoor gear, free kayak trips, time to learn how to kayak, sail, kiteboard and the chance to work with a fun group of individuals. Wages start based on your certification and experience levels and the final wages are determined based on experience and other factors discussed during the interview process. Access to kayaks and equipment for personal and family/friend use. End of the summer bonus.
Photographer
Description
Depending on your aptitude and motivation, there is potential to run/manage the photography aspect of our Tours. You will work directly with the owner to upgrade and implement these systems and create a manual for future photography interns/workers. We do not want to hand hold, but will work as a team to implement a unique simple system that all the guides/customers can use with ease.
Responsibilities:
This would include, but not limited to,
-Action sports photography
-web photo management
-photo sales
-photo cd creation
-camera instruction to guides
-on-water photography
-take photos of seascapes, guests and everyday operations.
-market photos to guests
-provide some administrative support for the guide staff
Knowledge and Skill Requirements:
Intern must be working toward a college degree. Previous photo editing experience through former internships, college courses and/or work on school publications. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, acute attention to detail, and the ability to work independently are required. Demonstrated love of the outdoors and adventurous travel is a plus. Web design, web photo sales systems use experience a plus!
Additional Information:
Our hiring deadline is March 1st. for paid interns. The unpaid photo internship is offered summer (late May through August) to coincide with academic schedules. School credit must be obtained for this internship. Please ask your internship coordinator to verify that this internship would qualify for credit hours. Please see internship information below.
Base Manager Duties: Assist with all aspects of office administration and field program support. Telephone duties include providing program information, taking reservations, etc. Office staff will need to learn about the area and our program very quickly in order to sell our trips effectively. Other office duties include word processing and other computer work, record keeping, mailings, staff scheduling, etc. Logistical support includes shuttling of vehicles and preparation of supplies for kayak tours. Five days per week, full-time, June through September, possible part time in October. Position can span a total of 6 months per year. Shorter-term positions also available. Job includes booking tours by phone and through the internet, answering questions, and some clerical work. Office staff will be required to open the office in the morning. You will need to be organized in order to keep the scheduling books in order and to make sure that no trips are overbooked, etc. When time permits, we will ask you to do some database entry and other clerical work. In a fast paced and dynamic industry like ours we need flexible individuals who can adapt quickly and fill whatever role is needed. Develop and promote the domestic market (ie locals and walk-in travellers) by maintaining public exposure to company literature (eg posters, scheduled trip dates, and brochures) and by visiting local accommodation facilities (eg guest houses, hotels, resorts) on a regular basis to inform new arrivals of trip options. Maintain a personal logbook detailing work hours, guided day trips and multi-day trips, and any other pertinent information (eg weather conditions, incidents, accidents). Summer program: averages to full-time from late June to early September, and part-time in May to early June and from late September to mid-October. Positions begin either mid-May or late June depending on your individual contract and end either early-September or mid-October.
Base Manager Requirements
A friendly smiling organized person! Base Managers will be attending the Kayak Guide Training also.
Base Manager Salary:Starting wage is $8/hr +goods commision(photos, t-shirts, bookings)midseason performance based assesment, goods commisions and experience will adjust wage.
Base Manager Benefits: Benefits include access to company kayaking gear on a space available basis (and according to skills), pro-deals on many brands of outdoor gear, free kayak trips, time to learn how to kayak, sail, kiteboard and the chance to work with a fun group of individuals. Wages start based on your certification and experience levels and the final wages are determined based on experience and other factors discussed during the interview process. Access to kayaks and equipment for personal and family/friend use. End of the summer bonus.
Internship Positions
Internship positions may involve work in, education, environmental stewardship, marketing, advertising, journalism, photography, policy analysis, environmental regulation, advocacy, Tourism, Hospitality and outdoor recreation.
We don't give meaningless tasks to interns! This internship is in indepth learning, experience, surprises, adventures and of coarse...school credit.
Opportunities for advancement
Wow, there is so much opportunity in this world! Dare I say, Do what you love and Dream Big, If you have the right qualities and can dream big, DCKT has a desire to expand with you into a global tourism business!
How to Apply
Please contact us, we love to talk. We know many of you will not have the experience or qualifications coming in as a kayak guide, so please show us your enthusiasm and desire to be a guide through your interesting application and continual communication to us until the start date of your guide training. Fill out the form below or email your resume and a letter describing your experience and interest in being a sea kayak guide or any of the above mentioned job positions to: info@DoorCountyKayakTours.com
or Better yet....Do both to impress us!
Please do your best to answer with your initial thoughts!
Too windy to work...
Most of our employees are Door County locals, however we do have limited openings for employees interested in coming to Door County each year, we can help you find housing, if needed. We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated people who are committed to our goal of providing every one of our clients with an exceptional experience.
In your time being, please educate yourself on Door County, Kayaking, local ecology and become prepared for a fun summer in the sun.
Colleges and universities frequently send us interns who are interested in pursuing a career as outdoor educators and/or administrators. Please let us and your education coordinator know if this opportunity interests you, but be aware that our internships require a firm time commitment and hard work!