Kayak School Manager

Wet Planet is looking for a motivated & inspiring professional kayak instructor to lead & manage the Wet Planet Kayak School, and take it to the next level!

Wet Planet Kayak Instructors enjoy sharing their love of kayaking, introducing people to the sport, and creating amazing experiences for our students, turning them into kayakers and whitewater ambassadors. Our popular kayak program includes weekly beginner classes, advanced classes and clinics, youth camps, charter camps for organizations such as First Descents, and an annual multi-day whitewater kayaking trip on the Main Salmon River in Idaho. Following Wet Planet course outlines, 

Our professional, trained and certified kayaking Instructors set the tone and pace, take care of all course logistics, and take pride in the guest experience and achieving positive course outcomes. Lead Instructors enjoy being the point person while coaching and mentoring learning instructors who may be new to professional kayak instruction, and work under the supervision of lead instructors while developing their skills and teaching experience.

Our kayak school manager is part of the team of instructors, teaching classes side-by-side. The manager naturally sets a positive tone, enjoys coaching, and supervising a small team of instructors, while managing the quality and consistency of our classes and our course curriculem. They love thinking inovatively, constantly developing and promoting new additional classes while proudly helping improve and grow the Wet Planet kayak program.

Wet Planet Whitewater Center

Wet Planet started rafting the White Salmon river in 2002, and in 2006 we added a fleet of kayaks and started the Wet Planet Kayak School. Surrounded by so many great rivers to choose from, each year, many of our guests and team members return to enjoy the abundance of beautiful rivers we raft and kayak in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Our headquarters are located on the banks of the White Salmon River in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge - a whitewater paradise and incredible community of boaters. It's the perfect location for raft guides and kayakers to work and play in the Pacific Northwest.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Formal whitewater kayak instruction experience 
• Professional appearance, excellent communication skills, and team player
• Ability to kayak comfortably at a Class III level at minimum
• Comfortable managing, coaching, inspiring & effectively leading a group of peer instructors, in a dynamic river environment is a core expectation. 
• Current Wilderness First Responder & CPR certifications required for Lead Instructors
• Current First Aid and CPR certifications required for Assistant Instructors
• Current River Rescue Certification required (Sierra Rescue, ACA Swiftwater, or equivalent)
• ACA or BCU training for whitewater kayaking instruction required for Lead Instructors
• Fully proficient in computer skills. 
• Work as a team within the Wet Planet senior River Management Team for risk management, river operations, hiring, coaching and scheduling. 
• Enjoys taking part in marketing & promotion of the kayak school offerings.
• Experience paddle raft guiding (class III/IV) and interested to plug into that program if possible and needed is a plus. 

Kayaking Season:  We offer kayak courses from mid-May through mid-September

Availability:

• Full-time, full season, including pre-season set up: Mid April through mid-September
• Part-time - as needed availability for managerial projects during the off season. 

Many of our staff enjoy combining multiple paddling disciplines and the variety of work throughout the season. For those with skills in paddle rafting, rowing, and/or kayaking, or teaching professional river rescue, rowing or guide training courses, work is available from April through September by combining day trips, multi-day trips, and kayak instruction.

Wet Planet Perks:

• Access to free trips and courses, and discounted professional training (river rescue courses, medical courses, ACA instructor course, etc.)
• Cross-training for other job areas & opportunities within Wet Planet
• Discounts on food, drinks, and merchandise in the Wet Planet store and espresso bar
• Industry Pro Purchase Program
• Free rafting and kayak courses for friends & family
• Accrued Sick Leave

Compensation:

• Course pay Between $153-195 per day. The manager will be compensated hourly for management duties outside of teaching kayaking, based on experience, training & certifications. 
• Simple IRA savings plan option after 2 years
• Medical Benefits for full time managers. 

Combine your desire to play outside with your professional skillset and experience – join our team!