Have you ever wanted a job where every day you get paid to be outside? 

Is your calling in life to help others live theirs to the fullest? 

Do you excel in challenging environments where others may be uncomfortable? Can you lead with confidence while earning the respect of those you lead?

Can you handle the responsibility of working together as a team to guide your guest, not only through rivers in remote areas, but through all the situations you're likely to encounter in the wilderness?

Our clients come to New Mexico Kayak Instruction to learn a new skill or to balance living and working in a busy city or to see the Southwest from a new vantage point.  They may or may not have prior paddling experience.  Almost all have some degree of fear; fear of flipping, fear of the water, fear of the unknown, fear of advancement from flat water to moving water to whitewater.  Our job is to meet each guest where they are, and help build their courage and confidence up from there.  These are skills that last a lifetime and have a huge influence on who this person is on and off the river. Our goal is that everyone signs up for a lesson or tour, and leaves with an experience that transcends kayaking, and influences their daily life in such a way that they attribute the experience to paddling and the life lessons they've learned from paddling.

Since 2008, New Mexico Kayak Instruction has been sharing this experience with hundreds of clients per year, through beginner and advanced paddlesports instruction, guided tours, sales and adventure travel.  We love paddling and it shows.  Our clients can feel it, and it draws them closer to our teaching philosophy, and to the paddling community at large.  It shows through our comitment to learning, exceeding national standards, and in some cases, setting the national standards.  Our core belief is that when you love something, you want to learn all that you can about it, and you want to share that love with anyone who will listen.  This love for the sport and for the outdoors never stops, nor does the love of learning or the love of sharing.

Do you have what it takes to be among the best of the best?  Our hiring process is stringent, but our guides are the best around, and it is reflected by our reputation and safety record.

Previous paddling experience is preferred, but not required. Candidates will acquire skills through all steps of our training model. Fire fighters, school teachers or other working professionals with non-traditional schedules are encouraged to apply.  NOLS & Outward Bound Alumni also make good guide candidates, as well as Outdoor Retails sales associates. 

Our guide training consists of three steps:

1. Basic training, to be paid for by the candidate. Application for next step.
2. Guide training & Professional development, covered by the company. Successful candidates will pass a Level 2 assessment, background check and oral interview, for at-will employment
3. Instructor training and certification, a mix of on-the-job training, professional development and instructor certification (paid for by the guide).

Guides will be interviewed and hired after completion of the ACA Level 2 Skills Assessment, which typically happens during the 2nd step, and is entirely dependent on how quickly the candidate can acquire the skills needed to pass the skills assessment.  In addition to the skills assessment, successful candidates must pass a background check, oral interview and drug test.

Instructor certification is a more involved process. Candidates with 1-2 years of active paddling and guiding experience are best qualified to pass the ACA Level 1 - 2 instructor certification exam.  Those with 2-4 years of active whitewater paddling experience are best qualified to pass the ACA Level 3 - 4 instructor certification exam.

Guides will start out assisting Lead Instructors in classes and tours until the appropriate level of skills are acquired to take on the Lead Guide or Lead Instructor position.

Step 1: Basic Training (40hrs, March - May)

Choose any Level 1, 2 & 3 courses from the NMKI calendar.  Courses must be taken in order, and completed by May 24, 2016. In this 40 hour module, you will be introduced to the strokes, concepts and rescues for class III whitewater. In the Basic Training module, our goal is to teach you the foundation of river running and risk management.

Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking 4hrs, $85

Level 2 Kayak Roll 4hrs, $85

Level 2 Essentials of River Kayaking 4hrs, $85

Level 3 Whitewater Kayaking Made Easy 18hrs, $265

Total: 40 hours, $520.00

* Total on-the-water training: 30 hours. Candidates are invited to attend NMKI's free classes to learn about different types of boats and gear, video training and other community based training, up to an additional 10 hours.

* Includes paddling equipment (Kayak, paddle, life jacket, etc), but does not include wet suit ($10/day), shoes, meals, or transportation

Payment options:

Total amount due: $520 upon registration. Payable by cash, check or credit card

OR 3 monthly installment payments of $190

Each event has its own registration form. Complete each registration form and in the 'Comments' section note that you are registering for Guide Basic Training to become a guide, and your preferred payment option.

Upon completion of Step 1, candidates should easily pass the ACA - Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking Assessment.

Step 2: Application for Guide Training & Professional Development (50hrs, March - May)

Upon completion of all Level 1, 2 & 3 courses, guide candidates will be asked to complete an application, listing, among other things, paddling experience, personal & professional references, additional related skills and certifications, etc.

Candidates who present themselves professionally, have strong worth ethics and friendly personal demeanor will be accepted into Guide Training & Professional Development program at no additional cost (a $520 value).  There is no fee for this training, nor is there compensation for the candidate at this time.  During this phase, the candidates have the option to retake any Level 1, 2 or 3 class to refine their skills and develop as a competent paddler.  Candidates in this phase will shadow the instructors and guides, while learning teaching theory, risk management, as well as additional safety and rescues for each level. 

Upon completion of Step 2, candidates should easily pass the ACA - Level 2 Essentials of River Kayaking Skill Assessment.  Candidates may be hired after completion of the Level 2 Skills Assessment, background check and oral interview.

Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking 4hrs, $85

Level 2 Kayak Roll 4hrs, $85

Level 2 Essentials of River Kayaking 4hrs, $85

Level 3 Whitewater Kayaking Made Easy 18hrs, $265

Total: 40 hours, $520.00 Waived

Guides will be interviewed and hired after completion of the ACA Level 2 Skills Assessment, which typically happens during the 2nd step, and is entirely dependent on how quickly the candidate can acquire the skills needed to pass the assessment. In addition to the skills assessment, successful candidates must pass a background check, oral interview and drug test.

Step 3: Instructor Training (On the Job Training)

Candidates who complete the ACA - Level 2 Essentials of River Kayaking Skill Assessment during step 2 may be hired as a guide or assistant instructor for NMKI's guided tours and instructional classes.

Candidates who are most successful in the ACA Instructor Certification Exam have several years of active paddling experience, experience teaching others, performing rescues at different levels (flatwater, moving water, whitewater, etc). Assisting Lead Guides and Lead Instructors can help accelerate the learning curve, but there is no substitution to paddling your own boat on new and unfamiliar rivers, and building skills.

NMKI typically hosts an ACA Instructor Development Workshop / Instructor Certification Exam every other year. We anticipate co-hosting a Level 2 - 4 ACA Instructor Development Workshop in the Spring of 2017 for guides who have one full season working with us. The price for ACA Instructor certification typically ranges from $200 - 550, depending on level of instructor certification sought, and other factors. 

Benefits

• Predictable raises upon completion of each ACA Assessment or Instructor certification
• Employee or Pro-deal discounts on boats, gear and other outdoor equipment
• Discounted equipment rentals
• Regional team-building retreats on the Rio Chama and throughout NM, NC, CO, or CA
• Discounts on national or international kayaking trips based on level of assessment or instructor certification
• Stipends for additional training, based on total earnings per calendar year. Examples include ACA instructor certification, swiftwater rescue certification, raft guide training, Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder, etc.

Candidates possessing the right balance of a professionalism, personality, river running and safety skills may be offered employment directly following the conclusion of the Level 2 Skills Assessment, background check and oral interview.

Previous paddling experience is preferred, but not required. Candidates will acquire skills through all steps of our training model. Fire fighters, school teachers or other working professionals with non-traditional schedules are encouraged to apply.  NOLS & Outward Bound Alumni also make good guide candidates, as well as Outdoor Retails sales associates. 

Are you ready to begin? 

Complete the initial application below and we will follow up with a phone call within 48 hours to answer questions and get your spots reserved in the Level 1, 2 & 3 Basic Training courses.

We look forward to paddling with you!
Kelly Gossett
Corey Spoores