KP Paddle Excursionist

venture-outdoors-careeropportunities; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Kayaking

Paid Training

End of Summer pay raise

Mental health break

Simple IRA eligibility

Job summary

Venture Outdoors is seeking a Paddle Excursionist to lead paddle trips and ensure safe, enjoyable experiences on waterways in Southwest Pennsylvania. You will provide equipment, instruction, and on-water guidance for community, corporate, and custom groups.

The role is field-based, seasonal part-time (April–October) with the possibility of weekend and evening shifts. Prior paddling experience, strong group leadership, and safety awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Non-motorized watercraft experience (kayak, SUP, canoe) preferred
• Evening, weekend, and holiday availability
• Ability to lead, motivate, and manage groups of varying ages and backgrounds
• Willingness to be flexible with assignments and roles
• Knowledge of outdoor recreation equipment and safety practices
• Ability to speak in front of a group

Responsibilities

• Lead paddle programming at various locations
• Prepare participants with safety talks and launch/retreival
• Lead youth kayaking programs ensuring safe, fun educational experiences
• Assist customers with fishing equipment and safety gear
• Ensure participant safety on water and monitor conditions
• Handle emergencies and report completion of required forms

Skills

Paddling experience

Group leadership

Public speaking

Evening/weekend availability

Job description

About Venture Outdoors

Inspire. Educate. Equip.

We remove barriers and create access to outdoor experiences.

Venture Outdoors is a 501c3 nonprofit

Title: Paddle Excursionist

Reports to: Kayak Pittsburgh Management

Location: Field work in various waterways in Southwest Pennsylvania

Hours: Seasonal part-time (approximately 20-30 hours/week April through October)

Wage: $15.00/hour

Inspire. Educate. Equip. We remove barriers and create access to outdoor experiences.

POSITION SUMMARY

TheKayakPittsburgh Excursionistis responsible for leading paddle sports trips offered by Venture Outdoors or Kayak Pittsburgh. These can include community, corporate, and custom group outings. Kayak Pittsburgh Excursionists will provide all participants of the program with the proper equipment, instruction, and on-water guidance while ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all paddlers.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead a variety of paddle programming at various locations

• Prepare participants for paddling events by distributing materials, giving safety talks, launching and recovering paddlers
• Leading youth kayaking programs responsible for leading safe, fun, and educational kayaking experiences for youth participants.
• Responsible for assist customers in fishing equipment such as rods, reels, tackle, bait, nets, and safety gear.

• Ensure participants' safety on the water while creating enjoyable and memorable outdoor experiences

• Monitor environmental conditions (water flow, storm activity, temperature, wind speed, etc.) before and during an outing

• Care for participants’ needs, handle emergencies and contingencies

• Ensure all relevant reporting is completed and returned to the office in a timely manner including participant evaluations, risk waivers, final trip reports, etc.

• Be familiar with and follow all Venture Outdoors trip leader guidelines

• Clean and store equipment properly

• Attend biweekly staff meetings facilitated by Kayak Pittsburgh management

QUALIFICATIONS

We recognize that all experience is unique and not always in a professional setting. Outdoor experience obtained recreationally or through volunteer opportunities is valid.

• Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application

• Previous paddling experience in non-motorized watercraft (kayak, SUP, canoe, etc)

• Evening, weekend, and holiday availability

• Ability to lead, motivate, and manage groups of varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds

• Willingness to be flexible with work assignments and roles

• Knowledge of associated skills and equipment for leading outdoor recreation activities

• Ability to speak in front of a group

REQUIREMENTS

• Attain PA State Act 34/151 Background Clearances and FBI Background check (must acquire prior to employment)

• A finding on the criminal background clearances is not automatic disqualification, but rather a conversation starter)

• Current CPR and First Aid certifications (can acquire upon hiring)

• Once hired, an Excursionist will attend Venture Outdoors’ Outdoor Leadership Training and A.C.A. Kayak Touring Level 1 Training

• Ability to repetitively lift and maneuver watercraft weighing up to 90 poundswith a partner

BENEFITS and Bonuses

• Free Kayaking

• Paid Training

• End of Summer pay increase

• Mental Health shut down- guaranteed break between Summer and Fall season

• Take part in the Venture Outdoors sponsored Simple IRA if you make more than $5000 yearly

Venture Outdoors is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

VENTURE OUTDOORS STAFF EQUITY STATEMENT

We commit to the equitable treatment of our colleagues, participants, and community members by valuing their rights, dignity, voice, and expression.

We welcome and respect the diversity of individuality such as race, sex, gender identity, ability, culture, and religion.

We recognize the human right for all individuals to be respected and accepted without bias.

We commit to an organizational responsibility to build individual and community respect, dignity, fairness, care, and equality.

We strive to understand the role our system plays in perpetuating exclusion, and to address the dynamics that support.

We understand that accountability is mutual and reciprocal in order to continually learn and improve.

We believe that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion extends beyond the workplace and encourage all to continue personal development alongside the organization.

We require organizational staff and participants to encourage a culture of belonging and consider the entire experience and the ecosystem that supports.

We will not tolerate explicit and implicit forms of racism, sexism, classism, xenophobia, ageism, and/or ableism.

We will not accept the use of racial or gender biases and require staff to implement inclusionary practices within their duties and program design.