Outdoor Guide Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Find Your Future in Paradise!

Catalina Island Company welcomes all guests and visitors to our very special island. Beyond being warm and courteous, our exceptional team members are knowledgeable and helpful - anticipating and personalizing their service on an individualized basis.

We seek individuals like YOU to create the finest personal service and extraordinary experiences for our guests.

WHY CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY?

The Catalina Island Company offers more than just a workplace - it is a destination for service, adventure and inspiration!

In 1919, chewing gum entrepreneur William Wrigley Jr. bought nearly every share of the Santa Catalina Island Company until he owned a controlling interest. He then invested millions in his vision to create a "playground for all" on Catalina Island, building infrastructure, a reservoir, Hotel Atwater, Bird Park, and other attractions. In 1921, he made Avalon the Spring Training home of his beloved Chicago Cub's, building the Catalina Country Club to house the team's lockers and provide a gathering place for players. The team continued to train on the island until 1951. In 1929, Wrigley built the iconic Catalina Casino, which boasts the world's largest circular ballroom and the first theatre designed and built to show talking motion pictures. During World War II, the island served as a military training facility and was closed to tourists. The island was a popular spot with Hollywood's elite during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. It also became a popular location for production companies to shoot movies. More than 500 films, documentaries, commercials, and TV shows have been shot in and around Catalina over the years, especially in Two Harbors on the island's west end. To this day, descendants of William Wrigley Jr. still own the Catalina Island Company and carry on his vision to create a world-class island resort.

We are a welcoming community that believes in fostering a positive, team-oriented atmosphere where every team member plays a part in creating unforgettable memories for our guests. Join a team that is as vibrant, dynamic, and unique as the island itself!

JOB SUMMARY
The Zip Line and Aerial Ropes Course Adventure Tour Guide is responsible for providing guests with a safe, exciting, and memorable outdoor experience. This role involved guiding participants through courses and adventure activities while ensuring that all safety procedures are followed. The ideal candidate is energetic, personable, safety-focused, and passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences in an outdoor environment.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead guests through zip line tours, canopy walks, and other adventure park activities.

• Conduct pre-tour safety briefings and demonstrate proper use of equipment and harnesses.

• Perform safety inspections and daily course checks to ensure equipment and lines are in top condition.

• Assist guests with gear fitting, ensuring all harnesses and helmets properly secured.

• Monitor guests throughout the course, offering guidance, encouragement, and assistance as needed.

• Maintain a fun, positive, and engaging atmosphere for all participants.

• Uphold all safety standards and emergency response procedures.

• Immediately report any equipment issues, guest injuries, or incidents to managment.

• Participate in ongoing training and skill development to stay current on safety and operational protocols.

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of all tour areas, storage, and staging zones.

• Completes daily opening and closing procedures.

• Conducts complete inspections of all course components and gear.

• Inspects personal safety equipment for integrity and cleanliness.

• Inspects property for cleanliness and supplies (water, first aid, etc.).

• Assist with check-ins, weigh-ins, waiver completions, and safety equipment distribution.

• Fits harnesses and helmets correctly and supervises the use of all safety equipment.

• Conducts pre-tour safety orientation for each tour group.

• Meets and establishes rapport with each participant.

• Reviews safety guidelines, answer questions.

• Demonstrates how to carry, wear, and utilize safety equipment.

• Demonstrates proper riding techniques.

• Provides a safety demonstration on the sample course.

• Builds excitement about the forthcoming experience.

• Reinforces safety guidelines.

• Introduces tour displays, answer questions and enthusiastically present island ecology facts and history.

• Performs proper safety checks while following a series of critical safety protocols and methods.

• Conducts continuous inspections of course elements and equipment throughout each tour.

• Performs course retrievals and rescues.

• Educates participants about Santa Catalina Island ecology.

• Debriefs participants enthusiastically while suggesting and cross-selling other Company venues, activities, and events.

• Manages all safety equipment inspection and maintenance, including but not limited to cleaning, sanitizing, organizing and preparation. Follows safe working practices and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.

• Assists with course maintenance efforts.

• Attends required meetings and training.

• Performs custodial tasks.

• Maintains records and logs of daily activities.

• Directs passengers into the vehicle for zipline.

• Directs participants off the vehicle and escorts them to the initial platform for zipline.

• Attaches participants to the zipline system and performs essential safety checks every time before anyone zips, including self.

• Zips to consecutive platforms, demonstrating proper riding techniques.

• Assists with the landing of each participant, ensuring their safety on every approach.

• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum age requirement: 18 years old.

• Previous experience in outdoor recreation, guiding, or customer service preferred.

• As a condition of employment, candidates must successfully complete and pass a pre-employment physical and drug screening before starting work.

• The position requires meeting specific height and weight parameters necessary for the safe operation of equipment and compliance with industry safety standards. Candidates must be at least 5 feet 4 inches and weigh no more than 230 pounds.

• Comfortable working at heights and in varying outdoor weather conditions.

• Maneuver themselves and customers through the adventure courses at height while balancing, suspending, climbing, reaching, stretching, pulling, and managing rope and cable systems.

• Perform heavy manual labor.

• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Demonstrate strong customer service skills and establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to remain calm and focused in high-energy or emergency situations.

• Must pass company training and certification programs for zip line operations and first aid/CPR.

• Physically fit with the ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physically demanding tasks

DRIVERS LICENSES

• A valid Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record that is maintained throughout employment.

DETAILS
Position Type: Seasonal
Season Dates: Training starts October 5, 2026 for required training. Season ends in March/April 2027.

HOUSING

The Catalina Island Company offers shared housing as an option for eligible employees at a subsidized rate. Employees are responsible for paying a portion of the housing cost, typically deducted through payroll.

Accommodation generally includes shared bedrooms, shared bathrooms and a community kitchen. Housing is subject to availability and cost will vary based on location.

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The pay scale for this position is $20.00 per hour. The pay is the hourly rate plus gratuities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/ PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position primarily takes place outdoors and may involve exposure to varying weather conditions including sun, wind, and occasional rain. Employees should be comfortable working at heights, on uneven terrain, and performing physical tasks such as walking, climbing, and lifting equipment. Safety, communication, and guest engagement are top priorities while ensuring a fun and memorable experience for all participants.

Must be comfortable and able to stand for up to 6-8 hours per day. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Requires dexterity, grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity. Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with guests, management and team.

SCHEDULE

This position requires a flexible schedule, with rotating weekday and weekend shifts, including day, night, and holiday hours.

LIFE ON CATALINA ISLAND

• A fast paced, exciting work environment with upward mobility and growth opportunities.

• Meet and engage with people from all over the country and world!
  

COMPANY PERKS

• Employee discounts and perks - restaurant, hotels and activities.

• Beautiful island views and a summer of adventure!

BEING YOU AT CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY:
We are inclusive of, celebrate our differences, and welcome a broad range of perspectives and ideas without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations as needed for our candidates. Please discuss this with our Talent Acquisition team during our selection process.