Outdoor Odysseys has been operating kayak tours since 1987. We have a well-deserved reputation as one of the oldest and most respected kayak tour operators in the islands. We have run cooperative tours with the Whale Museum, Seattle Aquarium, the Sierra Club, and universities across the country. Our goal is to provide safe, fun and educational tours of the San Juan Archipelago.
Why Consider Working for Outdoor Odysseys?
We have one of the best track records in the islands for attracting and retaining quality guides. We look for naturalists/guides who are smart, personable and ethical. The average length of time guides work for us is typically three plus years. Peruse the opportunities below and contact hr@outdoorodysseys.com with inquiries or questions.
Benefits
- As an employee vs. independent contractor, you are covered by WA State Labor and Industry while on the job.
- Green Office/Shop: Our facility was designed specifically to make our guides trip prep easier and more efficient. It features good lighting, dual kitchen sinks, large counter space for prepping and uses sustainable materials.
- Free Use of Kayaks: We encourage you to use our boats and gear for paddling and exploring the islands on your days off.
- Equipment Pro deals: You get great deals on a wide range of industry products (e.g. Outdoor Research, Patagonia, Yakima, Marmot, etc.).
Opportunities
- You get to live, work and play in arguably one of the most scenic areas of the United States – if not the world.
- Guides have daily opportunities to paddle with and view whales and other phenomenal wildlife such as peregrine falcons, seals, eagles, porpoise, etc.
- Outdoor Odysseys is committed to professionalism and works with each employee to continually educate and improve his or her guiding skills. You have an opportunity to train, learn and grow with a company that has an excellent reputation in the industry – as well as contributing your own unique talents and knowledge to our programs.
- Sustainability – We make every effort to set an example to the community and our competitors by operating responsibly and conscientiously with respect for our environment and community. Learn more on our Giving Back page.
Opportunities
Sea Kayak Guide and Naturalist
Title: Sea Kayak Guide and Naturalist
Reports to: Owner and Operations Manager
Job Location: Friday Harbor, WA
Job Type: Full-Time, May - September
Salary Type: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Environment: Physical Outside
Hourly Wage: $160-$225 per day
Job Summary The Sea Kayak Guide and Naturalist (‘guide’) is a mature, personable member of the Outdoor Odysseys staff, available for a minimum of 2 consecutive summer seasons, May-September. Under general guidance of the Outdoor Odysseys (‘OO’) Owner/Operator, guides are responsible for preparing and leading sea kayaking tours ranging from 3 hour half-day tours to 4 day (or more) overnight tours. Tours are designed with a high standard of quality in safety, naturalism, itinerary, campsite maintenance, and cuisine; guides are encouraged to bring their own creativity, passion, and skills to these areas. Guides are expected to apply expertise and thoroughness to all aspects of a trip, from preliminary planning and packing through trip clean-up. Responsibilities:
Reports to: Owner and Operations Manager
Job Location: Friday Harbor, WA
Job Type: Full-Time, May - September
Salary Type: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Environment: Physical Outside
Hourly Wage: $160-$225 per day
Job Summary The Sea Kayak Guide and Naturalist (‘guide’) is a mature, personable member of the Outdoor Odysseys staff, available for a minimum of 2 consecutive summer seasons, May-September. Under general guidance of the Outdoor Odysseys (‘OO’) Owner/Operator, guides are responsible for preparing and leading sea kayaking tours ranging from 3 hour half-day tours to 4 day (or more) overnight tours. Tours are designed with a high standard of quality in safety, naturalism, itinerary, campsite maintenance, and cuisine; guides are encouraged to bring their own creativity, passion, and skills to these areas. Guides are expected to apply expertise and thoroughness to all aspects of a trip, from preliminary planning and packing through trip clean-up. Responsibilities:
- Plan, pack, and execute single and multi-day sea kayaking expeditions, customized to guests’ interest and needs (physical, dietary, etc).
- Instruct beginner to intermediate paddlers on paddling technique, safety, and assisted rescue.
- Share and discuss natural history and pertinent wildlife knowledge with customers, including legal requirements for proximity with protected wildlife interactions.
- Design menus specific to trip dietary restrictions. Pack and purchase food within financial guidelines.
- Individually prepare three meals a day for up to 8 customers. Collaborate effectively with other guides for larger groups.
- Thoroughly pack, clean, and report repair needs for all Outdoor Odysseys gear and kayaks.
- Participate in all aspects of improving the team, including education/training of other team members and contributing to process/communication improvement initiatives.
- Work with Owner and HR Manager to set professional goals for career development.
- Act as back-up for other team members and functions, as needed. Perform other duties as assigned by Owner.
- Available to work May - September, 2 year minimum.
- Sea Kayaking Skills:
- Proficiency in demonstrating and instructing paddle strokes and maneuvers to a variety of experience levels and ages.
- Proficiency in self rescue, assisted rescues, and towing.
- Strong knowledge of tides and currents and how to utilize associated charts and atlases.
- Competent water and weather reading skills; able to adjust route and confidently maneuver paddlers through strong currents, winds, and other open water conditions.
- Knowledge and use of communication devices including marine radios.
- Skilled chart navigation - able to identify navigation aides, account for magnetic variation, take bearings and triangulate under extreme conditions, e.g. fog, limited visibility.
- Weather reading and assessment for 12-48 hour patterns, lightning safety, and importance of gear and equipment preparation.
- Certifications
- Wilderness First Responder certified and up to date (completed in advance of hire).
- Adult and Child CPR certified.
- Demonstrated ACA Level 3 skills or comparable experience.
- Outdoor Guiding Experience
- Demonstrated experience leading groups of ≤8 individuals on multi-day expeditions independently and ≥8 individuals with (a) co-guide(s).
- Conscientious logistics and trip planning experience in areas of equipment knowledge and care, food packing, group objectives, and daily group assessment with considerations to clients’ special and medical needs, park permits, weather, tides, equipment, and transportation.
- Demonstrated knowledge in identifying objective and subjective hazards for varying ocean and weather conditions, as well as human error in equipment, health, food and shelter.
- Strong knowledge of Leave No Trace principles and low impact wilderness travel. Passionate and knowledgeable on Pacific Northwest natural history, wildlife, geology, and plant life.
- Camp Maintenance and Outdoor Cooking Experience
- Demonstrated experience in camp set-up, camp maintenance, and creating a comfortable and sustainable living environment in various terrains and weather (e.g. heavy rains and wind).
- Confident and creative in cooking and providing nutritional requirements for dietary restrictions and food allergies.
- Attentive to portioning, meal planning, and limiting food waste.
- Physical Working Environment Requirements:
- The nature of the work may require exposure to inclement weather conditions and hazardous conditions on the water.
- Must be willing to work in a variety of weather conditions.
- Must possess the physical characteristics to perform the duties of the job including sufficient strength to lift 60 lbs.
- Must be able to paddle approximately 10-12 miles per day and tow a customer’s kayak in case of emergency.
- Driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record are required in compliance with criteria for vehicle insurance coverage to operate Outdoor Odysseys vehicles.
- Ability to safely operate a 15 passenger van and trailer.
- The successful candidate will also have:
- Values consistent with OO’s mission.
- Proven customer service orientation and excellent communication skills for guiding a diverse group of guests.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a diversity of personalities while forging effective partnerships. Comprehensive understanding of expedition behavior and group dynamics with varying group size, personalities, and experience levels. Able to facilitate discussion and mediate group tension and frustrations.
- Flexibility with proven ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines.
- Strong organizational, multitasking, and collaboration skills in various work environments.
- Proven ability to work creatively in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence.
- Internal motivation to be action oriented and results driven with ability to adapt to change.
- Formal education, degree, or equivalent experience in the natural history disciplines (e.g. biology, ornithology, environmental studies, etc.).
- Completed outdoor guide training program (e.g. NOLS, IWLS).
- ACA Level 3 certified, or equivalent experience.
Customer Service and Shop Coordinator
Title: Customer Service and Shop Coordinator
Reports to: Owner and Operations Manager
Job Location: Friday Harbor, WA
Job Type: Full-Time, May - September; Part-Time, December-April
Salary Type: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Environment: Physical Inside/Outside
Hourly Wage: $20-24
Job Summary The Customer Service and Shop Coordinator is a mature, personable member of the Outdoor Odysseys staff, available for a minimum of 2 consecutive summer seasons, May-September. Under general guidance of the Outdoor Odysseys (‘OO’) Owner/Operator, the primary focuses of the Customer Service and Shop Coordinator are:
Reports to: Owner and Operations Manager
Job Location: Friday Harbor, WA
Job Type: Full-Time, May - September; Part-Time, December-April
Salary Type: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Environment: Physical Inside/Outside
Hourly Wage: $20-24
Job Summary The Customer Service and Shop Coordinator is a mature, personable member of the Outdoor Odysseys staff, available for a minimum of 2 consecutive summer seasons, May-September. Under general guidance of the Outdoor Odysseys (‘OO’) Owner/Operator, the primary focuses of the Customer Service and Shop Coordinator are:
- to maintain food supplies, kayaking gear and facilities to support 10+ guides throughout the season;
- ensure the kitchen, office, and exterior yard are clean, stocked and organized for guides to perform their responsibilities packing and unpacking for trips.
- be a first point of contact for customers via email and phone;
- Inventory, order, restock and maintain all kayak and camping gear, food pantry, walk in fridge, and food items returning from trips. Communicate all inventory concerns and gear needs to the Owner and Operations Manager to minimize gaps or lack of supplies for kayak tours.
- Schedule, follow-up and communicate with all food and gear vendors to ensure all orders are received.
- Maintain a clean, orderly, and sanitary shop facility including duties not limited to: laundry, sweeping, mopping, sanitizing workspaces and bathrooms, organizing tools/gear and their storage space, and tending to exterior grounds (mowing, trimming, watering).
- Collaborate with the Owner and Operations Manager on kitchen and gear policies and procedures.
- Report all repair needs for gear and kayaks to OO admin staff and support OO admin staff in repairs, considerate of current trip demands. Support in repairs include, but are not limited to: fiberglass kayaks, plastic kayaks, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, kitchen equipment and utensils, paddles, spray skirts, PFDs, dray bags, yard equipment, and general vehicle and trailer repairs.
- Assist in 15 passenger van and trailer cleanliness and repair.
- Occasionally, the Customer Service and Shop Coordinator will be called upon to guide half day and full day sea kayaking tours, which entails:
- Plan, pack, and execute single day sea kayaking expeditions customized to customer interest and needs (physical, dietary, etc).
- Instruct beginner to intermediate paddlers on paddling technique, on water safety, and assisted rescue.
- Share and discuss natural history and pertinent wildlife knowledge with customers, including legal requirements for proximity with protected wildlife interactions.
- Perform other tasks as assigned by the Owner or Operations Manager.
- Answer and return customer and vendor phone calls and emails within one business day including, but not limited to, inquiries for reserving tours, preparing and packing for a tour, available gear, dietary restrictions, medical and physical concerns, transportation to the San Juan Islands, logistics, and general questions about San Juan Island wildlife and points of interest.
- Reserve tours for clients, both regularly scheduled and custom. Assist customers in creating custom trips cognisant of guide schedule.
- Monitor bookings to prevent overbooking or limited guides/resources.
- Perform troubleshooting for the reservation system.
- Available to work May - September, 2 year minimum. Available 8am -5pm, with flexibility in additional hours and flexibility of start date in May.
- 2+ years of experience coordinating facility operations, food service operations, or equivalent experience.
- Strong, demonstrated experience in a customer service role with special attention to email and phone communications, reservation management, and scheduling.
- Proficiency with computers, emailing, word processing and spreadsheets, and other online food and gear vendor systems.
- General knowledge of outdoor recreation gear repair.
- Physical Requirements:
- Must possess the physical characteristics to perform the duties of the job, including sufficient strength to lift 60 lbs.
- Driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record are required in compliance with criteria for vehicle insurance coverage in order to operate Outdoor Odysseys vehicles.
- Values consistent with OO’s mission.
- Proven customer service orientation and excellent communication skills for guiding a diverse group of guests.
- Excellent written and oral communication abilities with the ability to convey a positive and professional image in person, on the telephone and in correspondence.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a diversity of personalities while forging effective partnerships. Comprehensive understanding of expedition behavior and group dynamics with varying group size, personalities, and experience levels. Able to facilitate discussion and mediate group tension and frustrations.
- Flexibility with proven ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines.
- Strong organizational, multitasking, and collaboration skills in various work environments.
- Proven ability to work creatively in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence.
- Internal motivation to be action oriented and results driven with ability to adapt to change.
- Flexibility with proven ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Decisiveness in resolving business problems, making decisions, and identifying priorities.
- Must be able to learn, understand, and apply new technologies.
- Completed outdoor guide training program, e.g. NOLS, IWLS (preferred).
- Sea kayaking experience (preferred).
- Extensive experience repairing outdoor gear and kayaks.