ABOUT DENALI PADDLESPORTS
Who are we?
Denali Paddlesports is a company providing transportation, photography, and clerical services to Nenana Raft Adventures and other companies operating in the Denali National Park area. Most of its employees are bus drivers with the remainder comprised of mechanics, photographers, retail and office workers. Prospective Denali Paddlesports employees who have the goal of becoming river guides are encouraged to participate in the advanced first and SRT classes offered in the spring. These classes are open to all prospective Denali Paddlesports employees at the same prices charged to prospective Nenana Raft Adventures employees.
What do we do?
Denali Paddlesports employees provide support services, as opposed to raft guiding services. In general Denali Paddlesports employees do not go on the river except as they might choose to do so on their time off. Denali Paddlesports employees perform such jobs as fixing vehicles, taking photographs, driving buses, answering phones, making reservations, responding to customer inquiries, selling T-shirts, and cleaning facilities.
When do we operate?
Denali Paddlesports begins its seasonal operations in the spring slightly before Nenana Raft Adventures does. The season runs through September 20.
Where are we located?
Depending on the nature of their jobs, Denali Paddlesports employees work either at the shop facilities in Healy or at the entrance area to Denali National Park.
Work Habits and Characteristics required for employment at Nenana Raft Adventures and Denali Paddlesports
Even if you are not hired as a guide by Nenana Raft Adventures, you can gain valuable river industry experience as a bus driver for Denali Paddlesports (our bus transportation contractor) or by working in our office as a member of the administrative staff. Many members of our guide staff gained the river experience necessary for employment as a guide by starting as a bus driver and learning to raft on their days off. Denali Paddlesports bus drivers who would like to become raft guides in the future are encouraged to participate in the same SRT classes as the Nenana Raft Adventures guide staff. Office personnel are welcome to do the same.
Our positions require a clean driving record. As a condition of employment, each employee is required to provide our insurance carrier a copy of his or her driving record. Our vehicle insurance carriers require any driver on the policy to have a minimum of 5 years driving experience.
All jobs at Nenana Raft Adventures and Denali Paddlesports require intense physical activity. Each offer of employment is contingent on the candidate's successful completion of a questionnaire about the ability to perform these physical activities.
We work outside in Alaska, in all weather conditions including sun, rain, sleet, snow, hail, and high winds. Nenana Raft Adventures is pleased to offer its staff a full and comprehensive meteorological entertainment package!
Who are our employees? Nenana Raft Adventures and Denali Paddlesports require that all employees exhibit the following characteristics in their work habits:
Good Judgment and a conservative safety oriented approach to river running and vehicle operation
Many of our customers are passengers from a major cruise line. These folks tend to be older; many are in their 60s, 70s, and sometimes 80s and 90s. Taking them whitewater rafting demands a much more conservative approach than running paddle rafters through every hole and punching every wave. If that is your style of river running, we understand. We even sympathize. However, this style of river running is totally inappropriate for our elderly cruise ship guests. We run specific routes for our elderly cruise ship guests and expect our guides to adhere strictly to these route selection guidelines. We want guides who can run every rapid on the river with confidence and professionalism, and who are not afraid to go around those rapids if the physical ability level of their passengers indicates that being the safest approach.
Running Class IV glacial whitewater demands a much higher level of skill than warm water rivers of equal volume and difficulty. Water temperatures average 35 to 40 degrees, and flat water current speeds average in excess of 5 knots. The rules in Alaska are different and even small mistakes can have disastrous consequences. The double fatality on the Nenana River in 1999 is proof of how fast and how badly things can “unravel” on Alaska’s rivers. This small mistake, had it occurred on a Southwestern desert river, would likely have been considered inconsequential. Glacial whitewater has a bad temper, long memory, and immense power.
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: Nenana Raft Adventures seeks guides who can run every rapid on the river with confidence and professionalism, who are willing to go around the same rapids if the physical ability level of their passengers indicates that being the safest approach. Many of our staff have gone years without having a single cruise ship guest fall out of their raft (paddle rafters are a different story). We reward these employees appropriately. We expect the same form our new hires. When you have a boatload of young soldiers from nearby military bases, grab a paddle and go for it. When people the age of your grandparents are in the boat, give them the respect they deserve.
Good judgment and a conservative safety oriented approach to vehicle operation
With regard to vehicle operation, we expect the same level of care from drivers as we do from guides. It takes a special individual to handle the commercial driving responsibilities of passenger bus operation. However, if you feel you're right for the job and can meet our high standards, you will make good money. For example, one of our first-year drivers during the 2006 season, a rather likable and hardworking fellow, made almost $11,000 in his first season. He was polite and hardworking and we paid him accordingly. Your results will vary with each season and with the level of commitment you demonstrate in your work.
A polite and courteous attitude towards the customer
Maintaining a positive customer friendly attitude all season long, especially during less than optimal Alaska weather, is the hallmark of a true professional and a requirement of all employees at Nenana Raft Adventures and Denali Paddlesports.
Many employees with backgrounds in ski area employment know how difficult this can be when faced with crowds of people demanding personal assistance at the same time. At Nenana Raft we like to say that the customer is not always right - especially when it comes to whitewater. The customer is, however, always the customer - and their needs and desires are second only to safety. A rude or condescending attitude toward the people who pay our bills and wages is grounds for termination.
Employees must report for work on time, every time.
Work begins at 6:00 a.m. every day. If you're not a morning person, or you like to socialize into the wee hours of the morning, the work at Nenana Raft Adventures or Denali Paddlesports may not be for you.
Employees must recognize the nature of job schedules within the professional paddlesports industry.
Nenana Raft Adventures and Denali Paddlesports staff often work 12-14 hour days, making plenty of overtime in the process. Nenana Raft Adventures and Denali Paddlesports gladly pay overtime wages. Refusing to work overtime when requested will void all job offers. During the peak season, days off are rare. On the other hand, during periods of inclement weather, business can be slow and you may have more time off than you would prefer. Rafting does not conform to the typical 9 to 5, 40-hour work week. If that's your expectation, we recommend you look elsewhere for employment.
A clean and neat appearance
A professional appearance is critical to making a good first impression. Your clothes, personal hygiene and grooming habits have a direct effect on how your guests relate to you.
To the extent that employees are issued T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, hats, etc., with the company logo printed on them, employees are expected to wear that gear, appropriate to the weather, whenever they are in contact with guests. It is the employee's responsibility to keep these items clean and in good repair.
Hair must be well combed at all times. Individuals with long hair must pull it back away from their face into a pony tail, braid, bun or similarly secured hairstyle. Facial hair must be neatly trimmed. Beards and mustaches cannot exceed a length of more than one inch. Growing a beard or mustache in during the season is not permitted. Individuals wishing to wear beards or mustaches must be clean shaven at all times on the job. The 5 o'clock shadow look is not acceptable.
Body piercings: This a simple issue really. For safety reasons we don't allow them. No nose rings, no tongue barbells, no eyebrow whatcha'ma'call'ems. Earrings are permitted provided they don't interfere with job safety requirements.
Our employees represent Nenana Raft Adventures and Denali Paddlesports in the Denali community, to the many tour companies, and most important, to our guests. Failure to adhere to these simple and reasonable grooming and appearance standards will void all job offers.
Should you have any questions about these guidelines, please e-mail us. Your concerns will be addressed as quickly as possible.
You must take care of company equipment as if your life depends on it - because it does.
Nenana Raft Adventures is the best equipped raft company in Alaska - period. We take great pride in providing our employees with the finest rafting equipment on the market. No piece of equipment can last for long, however, without a good maintenance and repair program. Those of you who have worked in a ski rental shop already have direct experience with ongoing maintenance programs for equipment fleets. Whether you're talking about skis or rafts, the gear only works as well as the care it is given. Learning proper use and assisting with needed maintenance and repairs are as much a part of raft guiding as being on the water. Working with drysuits is an extremely maintenance-intensive process - a process we feel is more than worth the effort. The latex rubber seals require constant attention. Repair work is paid on an hourly basis. All employees are expected to learn and implement the Company equipment maintenance program.
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Important 2007 Employment Information for Prospective Employees of Nenana Raft Adventures and Denali Paddlesports
