Seasonal Sea Kayak Trip Leader
Environmental Traveling Companions
San Francisco, California
About ETC
ETC is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that provides outdoor adventure and environmental education experiences for people of all abilities. ETC conducts Sea Kayak & Whitewater Rafting trips for youth and adults from under-resourced backgrounds and people with disabilities as well as extended Youth Leadership Programs for youth from underserved communities.
Position Description
The Sea Kayak Trip Leader is a contracted, seasonal position with a flexible commitment between April-November 2025. The Trip Leader will work collaboratively with a team of guides to facilitate all aspects of ETC trips including on-water guiding, camp setup, meal preparation, natural history interpretation and environmental education, and trip preparation and clean-up. The Trip Leader is responsible for leading sea kayak trips, collaborating with agency partners to complete trip goals, overseeing trip logistics, and supervising volunteers and other seasonal staff.
Trips are conducted on San Francisco and Tomales Bays. Most trips are 1-2 days, with some longer trips possible. The position requires a flexible schedule and weekend availability—trips will be agreed upon on a monthly basis. The ideal Trip Leader can make a commitment of 6-12 days/month during the peak season (June-September).
Though the Trip Leader role is a field-based position, additional opportunities for administrative support may be available for interested applicants. Responsibilities could include assisting the Program Manager with pre- and post-trip communications, agency and volunteer outreach, and trip staffing.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a small team of guides and interns to facilitate one- to five-day sea kayak trips in variable conditions for people with disabilities and under-resourced youth
- Provide safe, educational, and fun outdoor experiences for all ETC participants
- Evaluate on-water conditions and group abilities to make safety decisions specific to common ETC trip locations (Sausalito Waterfront and crossings to Angel Island, Tomales Bay from Heart’s Desire to Marshall, Tomales, and other beaches)
- Respond appropriately to incidents and hazards throughout the trip
- Outfit participants and demonstrate proper use of kayak equipment
- Facilitate activities focusing on group development, kayak instruction, environmental education, and human and natural history
- Set up and break down trips, including transporting and cleaning kayaks and gear
- Delegate roles appropriately and provide instruction and constructive feedback to Guides
Desired Qualifications
- 1-2 years sea kayak guiding experience
- Comfort with basic paddle strokes, knowledge of how to self-launch and land in surf less than one foot, assisting with launching and landing of participant boats, reliable self-rescue and assisted rescue techniques, towing, and ability to read and interpret tides and currents.
- Previous experience in a trip leader role (managing a team of guides) highly desired
- Previous environmental education experience desired
- Ability to set a positive tone while supervising diverse groups of people, preferably in an outdoor education setting
- Enthusiasm for sharing the outdoors with people of all abilities and backgrounds.
- Experience working with youth or people with disabilities a plus
- Ability to communicate professionally over phone and email with partners and guides
- Reliable transportation to Sausalito and Inverness (Tomales Bay)
- CPR and First Aid Certified, or willingness to get certified before starting the position (Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder strongly preferred)
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
To Apply: Fill out our online application!
Questions? Email Gracie Oliva, Sea Kayak Program Manager: kayak@etctrips.org
Visit our website etctrips.org for more information!
When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.
Category | Outdoor Recreation |
Tags | Naturalist |