Employment Information and Raft Guide School 2025

Each year we invite a wide variety of seasonal staff to join our team of returning members. Most of our positions are entry level and do not require any previous experience. Please read about the positions available and if you’re invited to join our team we will do our best to find the best fit for you. Often during training or during the first couple weeks of work our new team members find their strengths are better suited for a different role than initially thought. Many of our team members guide multiple activities, work in the office and drive our shuttles.

You will find the application form at the bottom of this page. Please let us know which position(s) you are interested in and tell us a little about yourself.

• Raft Guide / Guide School – School opened for 2025
• Safety Kayaker
• CDL Drivers
• Quick Facts / FAQs

 

 

Job Descriptions, Qualifications, and Training

 

River Guide School – OPEN

Our guides have the largest impact on our guests’ experience. Being a river guide is fun and rewarding but also physically and mentally demanding.

Once a year we conduct a FREE two-week training course. This course is required for non-licensed raft guides in order to work as a commercial raft guide in Colorado. Guide School for 2025 will be held May 26 thru June 6.

We also require that all our guides have their current Swiftwater Rescue Training. The SRT class is $150 (30% off normal pricing) and will be offered following Guide School. We offer all new employees a FREE First Aid & CPR Course but we encourage guides to attain a higher level of medical training.

State Certification

Participation in our guide school does not guarantee a guide position with Lakota. However, you will finish the course meeting the Colorado State Standards. This prepares you to work anywhere in the State and is transferable to most other states. Please fill out our application to receive more information about becoming a raft guide for Lakota. If we think you might be a good fit then we’ll set up a phone or in-person interview.

The training is a state certification which is yours to keep. Colorado has very high standards and the certification can easily be transferred to most other states. If you are already a certified river guide in Colorado then this course isn’t necessary. You would still need to “Check Out” on each section of the river and provide river and training logs.

After meeting adequate river training for each river and sections, our guides are eligible to work on The Colorado, Eagle and Arkansas Rivers

Once training is complete you will also be required to have a PFD (lifejacket), helmet, whistle and river knife. You will have access to pro-deals. This allows you to purchase these items at a significant discount.

• Safety awareness is essential.
• Capacity to work outdoors in all types of weather.
• Outgoing personality, friendly, and able to assist all types of guests.
• Ability to work well under pressure and think quickly in emergencies.
• Must have First Aid and CPR (courses are available).

**If you are an experienced guide from another state fill out the application below and we’ll need you to submit your training logs and current river logs. Experienced guides will have the opportunity to guide all our watersheds with trips ranging from Class III-V (DOE).

Safety Kayaker –Open

To become a safety kayaker you must be comfortable and confident in paddling Class IV and V rapids. We always add safety to our higher class trips during the summer time. These trips include Dowd Chute (Eagle), Pine Creek and Numbers (Arkansas) and late season Gore (Colorado). We often will add safety during spring runoff. This is especially true on single boat trips on the Middle (Eagle) and Browns Canyon (Arkansas). Safety Kayakers are also expected to lead IK (Duckie) trips on Class II sections which requires basic kayak instruction abilities.

• Minimum of 3 years experience.
• Capable of catching eddies in Class V rapids and solid combat roll.
• Safety awareness is essential.
• Outgoing personality. Friendly. Able to assist all types of guests.
• Ability to work well under pressure. Think quickly in emergencies.
• Must have First Aid and CPR (courses are available).

CDL Driver –Open

Drivers shuttle our guests, guides, and equipment too and from the river. Our vehicles include vans and buses which are often pulling trailers. Drivers maintain the vehicles in a neat and clean manner.  A CDL Class B with passenger endorsement (P2) is required to operate our buses.

• DOT regulations require a physical exam & drug testing of all qualified applicants
• Outgoing personality, friendly, and enjoy talking with all types of guests
• Competitive wages with end of season bonuses and gratuities daily.
• Assisted CDL placement in the Valley for Winter employment.

Application

Please let us know which position(s) you are interested in, and a little about yourself.

 

Quick Facts / FAQ’s

Our Season

Our season runs from May through September. The busy season is between early June and early September, peaking around July 4th. We offer flexible starting dates between April and June. Most staff finish up in September. Many of our employees are students, teachers and ski area employees who work with us during the summer months.

Due to the nature of seasonal employment, it is difficult to guarantee full-time work to anyone, especially in the early and later parts of our season.

Benefits

All of our positions require professionalism and commitment but offer fun and recreation. Lifetime friendships usually get formed when you work with people who share so many similar interest. This is a valuable experience and work opportunity. You get to work with a team that becomes a tight knit group of friends and who often hang out and go on adventures in the evening or on days off.

Some of our benefits include:

• Complimentary trips for immediate family members based on availability.
• Opportunities for pro-purchases on outdoor equipment and clothing.
• Free CPR and First Aid Training.
• CDL (bus-driving) training for qualified individuals.

Personal Appearance

A professional appearance is an essential ingredient to our success.  As a basic condition of employment we require that you keep your appearance in line with company standards. We trust and rely on your good judgement when it comes to your personal appearance. Your conduct on the job, after hours and in the community is a reflection of you and our company. Please plan to respect yourself, your peers and our company.

Pet Policy

In consideration of the safety for our guests, employees and your pets, pets are NOT allowed to come to work.

Documents Needed

Upon arrival for employment, be prepared to produce valid identification and one of the following documents to complete the employment process: Passport, U.S. Social Security Card, Birth Certificate.

Non U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. work permit.