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River Rafting Guide Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

River Rafting Guide information

See Alaska salary details

$10

$17

$23

How much do river rafting guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for river rafting guide in Alaska is $17.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $16.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a River Rafting Guide job?

A River Rafting Guide is responsible for leading rafting trips on rivers, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of participants. They navigate the raft, provide safety instructions, and educate guests about the river environment. Guides must be skilled in paddling techniques, swift water rescue, and first aid. Their role also includes assessing river conditions, managing risks, and creating a fun and memorable experience for rafters.

What are some typical challenges faced by River Rafting Guides on the job?

River Rafting Guides often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing weather or water conditions, ensuring the safety of guests with varying experience levels, and responding effectively to emergencies on the river. Working long hours outdoors, guides must also manage group dynamics and provide engaging commentary about the environment. These challenges require quick decision-making and strong communication skills. The ability to stay calm under pressure and foster teamwork ensures both guest safety and a memorable adventure for all participants.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the River Rafting Guide position, and why are they important?

Success as a River Rafting Guide requires strong knowledge of river navigation, safety procedures, first aid, and swimming, often backed by certifications such as CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and swiftwater rescue. Guides commonly use technical equipment like rafts, paddles, safety ropes, personal flotation devices, and communication radios. Exceptional interpersonal skills, leadership, and the ability to remain calm under pressure enable guides to provide clear instructions and a positive experience for diverse groups. These qualifications and qualities are essential to ensure both guest safety and enjoyment while managing the unpredictable nature of outdoor river environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of River Rafting Guide jobs in Alaska? The most popular types of River Rafting Guide jobs in Alaska are:
What are popular job titles related to River Rafting Guide jobs in Alaska? For River Rafting Guide jobs in Alaska, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching River Rafting Guide jobs in Alaska look for? The top searched job categories for River Rafting Guide jobs in Alaska are:
Infographic showing various River Rafting Guide job openings in Alaska as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 24% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,196 per year, or $17.4 per hour.
Temporary Faculty - Non-Credit Technical Expert Field Assistant - Water-Based Activity

Temporary Faculty - Non-Credit Technical Expert Field Assistant - Water-Based Activity

University of Alaska

Anchorage, AK • On-site

$38K - $45K/yr

Temporary

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

UAA Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation is seeking Technical Expert Field Assistants to assist with water-based outdoor recreation course offerings on an as-needed basis. Course offerings include one or more of the following activities: canoeing, river rafting, sea kayaking, etc.
This position is expected to work together with a Lead Instructor (LI) to provide field experiences to students. Technical Expert Field Assistant are expected to have exceptional proficiency in the course content.
Applicants seeking to be Technical Expert Field Assistants (TECH) must possess a background in the following areas:
Physical Fitness, Personal Gear Requirements, and Course Prerequisites
A potential TECH needs to exceed the minimum physical fitness, personal gear requirements, and other course prerequisites of the particular course they will be instructing. This information can be found in the specific course description and academic course content guide.
Technical Skills and Personal Experience
A potential TECH needs to possess strong technical skills in his/her area of instruction. This means that the technical expert's technical skills far surpass the level of technical expertise that will be taught in the specific course. Competency of required skills can be demonstrated through a skill test, through verification from qualified professionals, or through specific and applicable certifications.
Leading or Guiding Experience
A potential TECH needs to have served as a paid or unpaid leader in the activity s/he will be teaching (or a similar activity) within the past three years (from the start of the course contract)
Pedagogy/Teaching Competencies
A potential TECH needs:
* To possess college-level (or higher) writing skills.
* Experience in providing sequenced teaching methods.
* Experience in providing feedback and formal evaluation.
* To possess good presentation and speaking skills.
* Experience using a variety of teaching styles.
* Experience teaching to the adult learner as well as teaching to participants with various abilities, experience levels, and cultural backgrounds.
Proof of these prerequisites can be offered by way of previous employment, personal experience, certifications, and/or demonstration, or any combination of these.
Technical experts are expected to possess strong field skills and teaching skills. S/he should also be able to take responsibility for the class and bring the class to a safe end should the lead instructor become incapacitated.
Applicants are required (or in some cases highly encouraged) to possess the following certifications prior to working as a TECH in these courses:
Water Based Courses
* Flat-Water Canoeing - ACA level I training/certification recommended
* River Rafting courses - ACA level I training/certification recommended
* Sea Kayaking courses - ACA level I training/certification recommended
* Any moving water course - Swift water rescue technician recommended
A potential TECH needs:
* To possess a current Wilderness First Responder certification or department accepted equivalent if s/he will be working in a non-urban environment (i.e., two hours from definitive care).
* A current first aid/CPR certification if s/he will be working in an urban environment.
* To possess any other certifications as applicable.
Minimum Qualifications:
* Extensive personal experience in the course activity;
* Experience leading or guiding (in a paid or unpaid capacity) in the course activity;
* Wilderness First Responder certification or department accepted equivalent and/or Current first aid/CPR certification
* ACA level I training/certification recommended
Position Details:
This is a part-time, adjunct non-represented temporary position. Salary is commensurate with education, experience and the type of work assigned.
This is a pooled position and applications are reviewed as needed. Submission of an application does not guarantee review or a job offer.
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Eric Oba, HPER, Program Director, at etoba2@alaska.edu).
*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.
The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.
The University of Alaska ( www.alaska.edu ) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination ( www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination ) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.
* Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.
Access to the reports is available at:
UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety . Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu .
UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf . Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu .
UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf . Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu .

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About University of Alaska

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Alaska is a prominent player in the education industry, located in Fairbanks, AK, US. Established in 1917, it is a well-known public research university providing a range of academic programs in various spheres like research, arts, technology, and natural sciences. As part of the broader University of Alaska System, the institution thrives in fulfilling its central mission - to inspire learning and to advance and disseminate knowledge through teaching, research, and public service, emphasizing the North and its diverse peoples.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Fairbanks, AK, US

Year founded

1917

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