Head Boatman

AVA Rafting & Zipline: Head Boatman

Now Accepting Applications for the 2024 Summer Season!

Location: Kremmling, CO

Schedule: Seasonal Full-Time

Pay Rate: Day pay $170-$240 DOE, bonus

Why not work for the best adventure guide company in the state of Colorado. AVA has several locations that all offer their own unique opportunities and activities (so much more than rafting and ziplining). Employees enjoy consistent work where they help make lifetime memories for their guests every day. The good times don't stop on your days off as AVA employees can experience any of our activities they want for free!

Our positive and energetic culture have led countless co-workers to friends and memories that last a lifetime. There are even opportunities for year-round employment through our sister companies, Breckenridge Ski & Sport and Peak 1 Express. What are you waiting for? Adventure awaits.

Why work for AVA Rafting & Zipline? Click Here!

Perks Include

• End of Season Bonus
• Free Adventure Trips with AVA
• Free Shared Shuttle Services with Peak 1 Express
• Free Ski, Snowboard and Bike Rentals with Breckenridge Ski & Sport
• Employee Campground Offered at Buena Vista & Idaho Springs Locations
• Year-round work opportunities available through AVA, Peak 1 Express and Breckenridge Ski & Sport
• Health Insurance & 401(k) offered.
• ProForm Deals Available to All Employees
• Discounts for Friends & Family on AVA Adventure Trips
• Discounts for Friends & Family on Peak 1 Express Services
  
  
  

Job Overview: The Head Boatman is responsible for identifying solutions to daily issues in overall operations, while being an expert at handling and overseeing the Guest Service and Retail, Rental, and Transportation operations.

Job Responsibilities: Understand and serve the company’s best interest and goals.

Supervision

• Communicate and exemplify AVA’s policies, mission, vision, and core values to staff
• Supervise all outpost staff
• Become proficient at every job under your supervision, including Retail, Check-in, Food prep and ordering, Rentals, Fly Fishing, Rafting, and Equipment repair and organization
• Monitor staff performance and perform ongoing coaching/feedback to staff, incorporating the Mission, Vision, and Core Values into daily coaching
• When needed, determine the appropriate disciplinary actions
• Determine and enforce outpost hierarchy/structure
• Set expectations with all employees prior to starting work
• Work with the other managers to assign team leaders
• Conduct weekly team meetings with team leaders – this will allow an avenue for staff to voice their concerns through their team leader
• Address staff concerns and work to create a positive and productive working relationship with all staff
• Perform Mid-season and end of season Manager and staff performance reviews
  
  

General Management

• Manage all staff and monitor performance, paying special attention to retail staff and drivers
• Ensue all operations prioritize safety, all managers understand safety requirements, and all staff follow safety protocols
• Act as the Manager on Duty during the designated times throughout the week. Respond to issues, fires, Guest Service Issues, sale’s requests/questions, guide issues, etc. that arise during that time
• When not working as the MOD, do activities that adds to the running of the day. These activities could be guiding, driving, working in the store, or cleaning/maintaining the property
• Make sure a plan is in place when you are not present or on your weekend
• Attend Scrum at least 4 days per week
• Work with the GM to continue to develop skills as a manager and logistical planner
  
  
  

Clerical Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining Deputy, Adventure Ops, payroll submission, and Trip Leader sheets
• Work with High Ops to daily enter TL reports and to rectify Adventure Ops
• Check the bookings each morning and adjust the schedule to accommodate changes
• Communicate with the Sales office to determine maximum capacities and operational changes based on water levels and staff/equipment inventory
• Assist the other managers and High Ops to ensure an on-time submission of payroll due Tuesday at 9am every other week
• Create a weekly schedule for all retail staff
• Ensure that the schedule is created, updated, and correct for the following day for guides, drivers, and retail staff, making any needed edits
• Ensure all hiring paperwork is submitted based on the paperwork tracker
• Ensure complete and accurate guide files
• Ensure post use is submitted after each season on time and accurately
• Ensure outpost inventory and wish lists are complete, organized, and submitted
  
  
  

Training

• Ensure that all staff is trained in a high level of guest service that will facilitate success
• Manage successful Fly Fishing guide training
• Manage successful retail/guest service staff training
• Ensure all operations and trainings are completed in accordance with both internal and external requirements for safety, legal access/permitting, and documentation
• Conduct bi-weekly safety meetings
• Conduct monthly staff meetings
  
  
  

Operational Efficiencies

• Maintain trip operations in the most efficient manner possible to meet guest needs and budget restrictions
• Search for all opportunities for cost savings that does not impact the guest experience or safety in a negative manner
• Communicate with Sales office to determine maximum capacities and operational changes based on water levels
• Adhere to a budget set by the finance team
• Budgets will be issued for multiple departments at the outpost location. Outpost managers are responsible for planning with adherence to all of these budgets
• Develop long-term and short-term strategies for increasing efficiency within AVA
• Work with the other managers on any other assigned tasks
  

Emergency response

• Be the point person when incidents occur
• Be well-versed in Accident/Near Miss response and reporting
• Oversee documentation and document collection in the event of accidents and incidents
• Investigate accidents and near misses and train staff on how to improve
  
  
  

Regulation

• Maintain detailed knowledge of all applicable regulations and regulatory agencies
• Obtain a good knowledge of all applicable regulations, including BLM permitting and use permits and regulations, ROL, and USFS
• Have a good knowledge of all transportation regulations, including DOT/FMCSA
• Understand all the regulations relating to boat use, permitting, and guide records
• Maintain complete and accurate records – this includes but is not limited to Guide records, Driver records, Vehicle records, Equipment maintenance, and Safety inspections
• Keep records for maintenance, daily, weekly, monthly, and annual inspections, guide training, continuing education, accident reporting, prevention plans, and safety meetings, as well as any other documentation recommended/required by the store of Colorado, ACCT, AHRA, and insurance
• Monitor fleet performance
• If mechanical abnormalities are noticed by drivers contact Transportation Supervisor to coordinate maintenance
• Assist in developing emergency protocols for all possible scenarios involving vehicle problems, guest issues, weather extremes, road closures, river closures, guide injury, guest injury, etc.
• Ensure drivers are following all DOT and FMCSA regulations
• Provide verbal and written records of any policy or safety violations and provide coaching with drivers/guides
  
  

Transportation Responsibilities

• Monitoring fleet performance
• Coordinate all routine maintenance and vehicle repairs as needed.
• Ensure that drivers are following all DOT and FMSCA regulations, including hours-of-service regulations, drug testing, and recordkeeping.
• Provide verbal and written records of any policy and safety violations and provide coaching or correction when needed.
• Provide ongoing feedback/coaching to drivers to ensure safe driving habits
• Create and maintain the driver schedule. Ensure the schedule is set up to be as efficient as possible
  
  
  

Operational Work

• In order to effectively act as a Head Boatman that has authority over other departments, this role will be cross trained in the other operational fields to a proficient level of understanding.
• Assist the Assistant Head Boatman with the Fly Fishing program in maintaining program compliance with all local, state, and federal agencies.
• Help to ensure that all necessary fly-fishing compliance paperwork is complete. I.e., TL reports, incident reports, fishing licenses and CPW required paperwork.
• Manager the fly-fishing and rental programs, being well versed in the operational logistics of each program.
• Understand how to perform daily inventory and inspections of fly-fishing gear pre and post trip
• Assist in managing the fly-fishing guide schedule and off days
• Work with the property supervisor to maintain cleanliness and upkeep of entire Outpost property
• Daily pick up trash around the outpost.
  
  
  

Specialization in Guest Service, Retail, and Rentals

• Maintain and deliver exemplary guest service to satisfy and surpass guest expectations and to ensure a world class experience
• There are several software programs that this position will need to master, including Adventure Res, Adventure Ops, Vend, Deputy, EZ Waiver, PicThrive, among others.
• If a guest service issue escalates, address upset guests and with the goal of turning each interaction into a happy customer return
• Communicate any operational and GSIs that arise to the GM and Sales Manager
• Have a knowledge of all products in store and ensure that the retail supervisors do too. This knowledge needs to include an understanding of all AVA products, gear rented and all sections of the Colorado River that AVA shuttles and conducts rental drop offs and pickups on
• Oversee Retail staff in financial accountability for the office, including daily transactions and balancing end of day reports (both POS and Adventure Res), security of on-premise monies, bank deposits, change orders and adequate change in stock
• Be proficient in taking phone calls and walk in inquiries regarding rentals/trips and making reservations for rentals/trips within this system.
• Have a valid unrestricted driver’s license and the ability to drive/shuttle vehicles possibly with trailers.
• Coordinate with management and River Supervisor to ensure gear is in working order, available, and dropped off in correct locations with proper equipment. Ensure that shuttles are sent to proper locations in the timeframe stipulated by guests.
• Responsible for collecting all completed waivers, copy of driver’s license and credit card information from all rental and commercial rafting guests.
• Ensure guests understand the return policy. Ensure all gear is returned on time, undamaged, and clean. If gear is not returned on time, dirty, or damaged, document and ensure guest is charged accordingly.
• Train retail staff on rental operations so that they can also assist in the rental operations.
• Answer any guest services related questions regarding costs, equipment, requirements, cancelations, refunds, attire and other activities, restaurants, etc.
• Manage the Guest Service Supervisors, who have the responsibilities listed next. Therefore, this position will oversee the handling of:
• Managing and communicating daily sales goals for retail/photo sales
• Incoming retail orders at the beginning of the season and throughout the season: creating new inventory items, processing in POS system (POS and receiving orders), tagging organization, and getting merchandise on floor in timely manner
• Reorders throughout the season of store’s products and communication with Merchandising Manager in Breckenridge on reorders
• Full store monthly inventory
• Cleanliness and organization at all times of the store, restrooms, office, break rooms, storage spaces, cabins, fire pits, and campground
• Ensure that retail staff are following a daily watering schedule for flowers and grass
• Notes on ARS from the sales/reservations office, double checking any outstanding balances and collecting and filing necessary vouchers
• Supplies being ordered and kept in stock for cleaning, bathrooms, office supplies, photo sales
• Creating and maintaining organization systems for retail storage, paperwork, and reports
• Maintaining functioning computers and computer systems for photo programs/sales, POS programs/sales, ARS, internet service, clock-in computers and any other office computers
• Emails are being checked and replied to daily
  
  
  
  

Required Experience & Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively across departments
• Outstanding customer service skills
• Ability to interact in a friendly and comfortable manner with supervisors and employees via phone and in person
• Extremely detailed oriented
• Intermediate computer skills
• Team oriented
• Must be available for weekends and holidays
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check
• Instill confidence and motivate staff
• Clean driving record
• CPR
• First Aid
  
  
  

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Rafting and Zip lining
• CDL
• Advanced Excel skills
• Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
• WFR
  
  
  

If you are interested in joining the AVA team, then please apply today! AVA strives to deliver the very highest level of guest service while bringing awareness and understanding of the surrounding wilderness to our guests. As leaders in our industry, we set examples in safety, professionalism, outdoor skills and guest service, while providing low-impact environmental recreation. Apply Today!

AVA Rafting & Zipline is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Job Listing Anticipated Close Date: 5/1/2024

Salary : $170 - $240