Senior Guide - Permanent

Encounter Kaikoura; Kaikōura; On-site; NZD 60,174,000 - 64,472,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Guaranteed minimum hours

Staff discounts

Opportunities to swim with dolphins

Job summary

Encounter Kaikoura seeks a Senior Guide in Kaikōura to lead tours, deliver engaging commentary, and uphold high safety and service standards. The role involves mentoring new guides, ensuring regulatory compliance, and coordinating with skippers and support teams to guarantee memorable experiences for guests in all weather and sea conditions.

You will be active on vessels and in outdoor environments, with long hours during peak season, and a strong emphasis on safety, communication and team

Qualifications

• Demonstrated guiding experience in marine/wildlife/adventure tourism.
• Strong safety mindset with follow-through on procedures.
• Natural ability to coach, mentor and support others.
• Excellent communication for guests, crew and operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example delivering safe, professional tour experiences.
• Deliver engaging, informative commentary and wildlife talks.
• Mentor and train new guides; sign off on competencies.
• Support Head Guide with training and day-to-day guidance.
• Ensure compliance with DOC permits, Marine Mammal Protection Act and NZ regulations.
• Coordinate with Skippers, Guides and Customer Service on safety and operations.

Skills

Guiding experience

Safety mindset

Mentoring

Communication

Customer service

Outdoor/adventure environment

Marine safety knowledge

Job description

Senior Guides are hands-on and play a key role in delivering exceptional customer experiences. They lead by example through safe, professional, and informative tour delivery. Responsible for maintaining consistently high standards of safety, service, and tour presentation, ensuring every guest has a positive and memorable experience.

In addition to actively guiding, our Senior Guides support the Head Guide in training, mentoring, and providing day-to-day guidance to new and developing guides. They share their knowledge and experience, help maintain operational and safety standards, and encourage a positive, supportive, and professional team culture.

The role requires a focused and proactive approach, strong knowledge of vessel safety, excellent attention to detail, and clear communication skills. Senior Guides must be confident in supporting and influencing others, adaptable to changing situations, and physically capable of working outdoors in varying weather and sea conditions, while consistently maintaining a high standard of safety, customer service and tour delivery.

• This is a permanent full-time opportunity with an immediate start,based in Kaikōura,guaranteeing a minimum of 30 hours per week.
• Hours vary throughout the year according to seasonal demand, with a minimum of 30 hours per week guaranteed year round,and typically 30-50 hours available during the busier summer months.
• Rostered days andhours vary by season subject to business demandand are mutuallyagreed in advance.
• We operate 7 days a week, 364 days a year and shifts will fall on weekends and public holidays. We close one day a year on 25th December.
• Annual leave is generally not possible in peak season (Nov-Apr) and we request that our permanent team take their annual leave between May and October where possible.
• Hourly rate: $28 - $30 subject to experience

Key responsibilities:

• Lead by example, demonstrating Encounter Kaikoura's values, customer service standards and safe work practices.
• Deliver exceptional, professional, and consistent customer service throughout the customer journey, ensuring all guests feel welcomed, safe, and well supported.
• Prioritise safety in the workplace by speaking up and reporting hazards, near misses and incidents, and encouraging others to do the same, so we can continuously learn and improve.
• Support the head guide with mentoring and training new guides, helping them develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required for the role.
• Assist with assessing and signing off training competencies where authorised by the head guide.
• Understand and apply knowledge of DOC permit regulations, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Maritime New Zealand's Operator Safety System and company procedures.
• Provide clear safety briefings and engaging and informative tour commentary including wildlife, conservation and local environment-based talks, creating a memorable and educational experience for customers.
• Assist with the safe loading, unloading, and management of swimmers and watchers on vessels and in the water, ensuring procedures are strictly followed and customer safety is always prioritised.
• Take an active role in passenger safety and wellbeing throughout tours, supporting colleagues as needed. Monitoring and responding appropriately to customer needs, concerns, and challenging situations, and administering first aid where required.
• Communicate effectively with Skippers, Guides, Customer Service team, and other operational teams regarding customer requirements, operational changes, weather and sea conditions, and any safety considerations.
• Actively contribute to ongoing reviews of operating systems and processes and look for areas of improvement.
• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, supporting the team, stepping up when needed, and bringing others along with you.

Desired skills and experience:

• Demonstrated guiding experience in marine, wildlife, environmental and adventure tourism, with the ability to lead by example and share knowledge and experience with others.
• Previous experience safely leading groups of people in an outdoor recreation or marine environment, with a proactive approach to risk management and a genuine enthusiasm for delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• A strong safety mindset with the ability to follow procedures, remain alert, and make sensible decisions under pressure and support others to do the same.
• A sound knowledge of Marine Mammal Protection Regulations and Maritime New Zealand's Operator Safety System.
• A natural ability to coach, mentor and support others, using practical experience and positive input to help team members build their capability, confidence and understanding of what good guiding looks like.
• A passion for the marine environment and ability to maintain high energy and excellent customer care levels throughout long, busy and physically demanding shifts.
• A strong safety mindset with the ability to follow procedures, remain alert, and make sensible decisions under pressure, while encouraging and supporting others to maintain the same high standards.
• A strong focus on creating positive customer experiences, with the ability to engage with guests, anticipate their needs, and set an example of professional, enthusiastic and welcoming service.
• Good knowledge of commercial tourism vessel safety, including emergency procedures and the correct use and maintenance of onboard safety equipment.
• Comfortable and confident working outdoors in all weather conditions, including extended periods on the water and exposure to changing sea conditions.
• Physically capable of meeting the requirements of the role, including heavy lifting, assisting swimmers back onto vessels, prolonged standing, and working on moving vessels in varied conditions.
• Maritime qualifications are preferred, along with a genuine interest in building a long-term career in the maritime industry.

Points to note:

• Our guides remain on board and do not enter the water with swimmers on our tours
• We operate on a very exposed stretch of coastline and we work in all weathers and some challenging marine conditions. We are looking for applicants who are resilient, comfortable working in rough weather and at sea, and not prone to seasickness.
• This is a role that requires a high level of reliability, consistency and personal responsibility. We expect our guides to arrive on time, prepared and ready to deliver every tour with the same enthusiasm and attention to detail as the first tour of the day.
• During summer, days can be long - typically 10-12 hours depending on wildlife location, so maintaining energy and stamina throughout the day is essential. Looking after yourself, managing fatigue and arriving fit and ready to work are important parts of the role. We are looking for applicants who take pride in their work, understand the importance of consistency, and are able to maintain a high standard of service from the first tour through to the last.
• We are a 7 day a week business and shifts will fall on public holidays and weekends.

What we offer:

• We are a tour operator, cafeand retail store and you get to be part of a wider dedicated and like minded team creating exceptional customer experiences everyday!
• Structured training and support for you to be successful in your role; we have a genuine interest in your personal development and job satisfaction and are responsive to your aspirations.
• Guaranteed minimum hours and the option for more hours in the peak period for those that want them.
• Staff discounts in our cafe and retail store.
• The ability to join our tours as often as you like subject to availability; our team often take the opportunity to swim with dolphins on their days off!

Before you apply

Please read the following essential requirements carefully before proceeding with your application:

• You must be able to legally work as a New Zealand citizen or resident, or an Australian citizen.
• You must be fluent in spoken and written English. English is the primary language used across our operation and is essential for communicating effectively with customers and colleagues, particularly in relation to safety procedures.
• You must be available and able to commit to full availability during our peak season November-April. Annual leave is generally not available during our peak summer season, so please do not apply if you are unable to commit to this.