Miller’s Landing  is committed to employing  top quality kayak guides dedicated to the training and education of Miller’s Landing clients, in an atmosphere of professional excellence.

Working Conditions:
First year guides can expect to earn between $32 to $100 a day generally, depending on if they do a half day trip; two half day trips, or a full day trip.   All trips are paid on a daily rate (see below).  There are some trips that pay more that are on a longer day which can generate  $125 a day plus tips.  These trips are more remote trips, are longer trips, and are  usually given to more experienced senior guides.

Guides should expect to work 5 days a week, and sometimes long hours.  Sometimes you will be expected to work overtime.  You should not expect weekends off, and should expect rotating schedules and hours, (often making other part time work impossible).

Guides should expect to work in all weather conditions.   It is critical that all employees are comfortable enough to lead our clientele in these challenging conditions with a smile on their face.

Medical Qualifications:
Hiring preference is given to guides who have an up to date Wilderness First Aid Card or better.  You are required to have a current CPR and First Aid Card because you are not allowed to operate in the State Parks system or National Parks system without one. If you do not have this when you arrive for work, you will not be able to work until you do.  Please arrange for this prior to arrival.  There are no classes available once you get here and the nearest town providing them is 126 miles away in Anchorage (and those classes may only be offered once or twice a month there).

Training:
We highly recommend, at a minimum, a BCU 2Star certification (representing beginning skill levels) or ACA Certification.  Hiring preference will be given to employees meeting these certification standards. All kayak guides must demonstrate satisfactory rescue skills, paddle float re-entries, and will be assessed on how well they give kayak lesson courses.  Guides who are not able to pass this probationary testing period will not be retained.  

Housing:
Affordable housing is difficult to find  in Seward. Miller’s Landing will provide a tent camping area  in "tent city for employees " for $100 per month.  We also have shared primitive bunkhouse rooms with a community kitchen for $100 a month. Rooms are given out by seniority. Some rooms may have up to 3-4 occupants.  All employees must provide their own bedding and camping gear. Camper space is available in employee designated locations in the campground for $100 a month.   Shower and laundry is available in our campground.  All employees are responsible for their own meals.  Housing is not available to relatives, family or friends in the bunkhouse or tent camping areas.

Pro deals:
Miller’s Landing has pro purchasing agreements with: Necky, Daggar,  and Kokotat.

• All new hires subject to pre employment drug screening.
• All new hires will be employed on a probationary basis.
• All new hires are required to sign terms of employment.
• Point of hire is Seward, Alaska. 

 Qualities And Skills Necessary:

• Independent individual who can manage priorities
• One year of Sea Kayaking Guide experience or equivalent
• Physically fit; strong enough to lift 80 lb kayaks; load and unload kayaks on water taxi boat and to shore for clients
• Knowledge of self rescue
• Ability to rescue others
• Ability to teach kayak lessons
• Friendly, outgoing personality
• Clean cut appearance
• Well spoken and articulate
• Eager to excel
• Must work weekends and holidays
• Natural history and interpretive skills a plus
• Wilderness Responder Course a plus
• CPR and First Aid Certified
• ACA or BCU Certification a plus
• Willing to work overtime if asked
• Enjoys campfire cooking and is a good cook
• Is very organized and thinks of every little thing….
• Willing to do other responsibilities as needed such as helping with reservations; miscellaneous office work or outside work; equipment repair, maintenance, kayak repair; training etc.
• Does not get seasick on boats (we use water taxi to transport to remote areas)
• Loves camping
• Willing to wait on clients when camping/guiding
• Backcountry knowledge and skills
• Professional, “Can do” attitude

Pay Scale for Kayak Guides

Guides are paid on a “daily rate”.  Please read this section very carefully before you apply.

• 3 hour guided trips are paid at $36 plus tips. Three hour trips usually generate an average of approximately 4 to 4 ½ hours of work.   The time involved depends on how long it takes you to prepare for your trip; clean and put your client’s kayak gear away; and also depends on how long the slowest paddler in your group paddles and the weather conditions you are paddling in.  You are expected to work until all of your work is completed and all gear is cleaned and stowed away properly.
• Six hour trips are paid $72.  These trips usually average approximately 7 ½  to 8 hours of work.   The time involved depends on how long it takes you to prepare for your trip; clean and put your gear away; and also depends on how long the slowest paddler in your group paddles and the weather conditions you are paddling in.  You are expected to work until all of your work is completed and all gear is cleaned and stowed away properly.
• Full day (8 hour paddles with 4 hours traveling time totaling 12 hours) are paid $125.  Sometimes these trips can run from 6 AM to 9 PM or so in the evening.  Approximately 4 to 5 hours of this time is running time in the water taxi where we will be looking at wildlife, and watching for whales.   The time involved depends on how long it takes you to prepare for your trip; clean and put your gear away; and also depends on how long the slowest paddler in your group paddles and the weather conditions you are paddling in or we are navigating in.  You are expected to work until all of your work is completed and all gear is cleaned and stowed away properly.
• Overnight trips are paid at $125 for the first day, and $100 per day afterwards plus tips.  You are expected to paddle approximately 6 hours a day with your clients.  You are expected to cook for them, help them with their tent camping gear, problems, etc.  When you return you are expected to clean all gear used by your clients; stow it away properly; take care of leftover food, and help put everything away.
• Good guides generally make very good tips.  Some guides live off of their tips.  You are required to report your tips to the IRS.
• Because the Department of Labor wants us to be sure that you are paid for all hours you work, all wages paid are based on the current minimum wage per  hour… regardless of the daily trip rated indicated above.   However, Miller’s Landing  provides an compensation “bonus” up to   the amounts indicated above for daily rates, so you will always receive at least what the daily rate is (plus tips) for a specific trip. 

Click HERE for Online Application Form

Back to Top