Rafting Operations Manager
March-October
Are you an experienced whitewater professional who cares as much about developing people and building strong teams as you do about technical excellence on the river?
Zoar Outdoor is looking for a Rafting Operations Manager to lead our rafting operations, develop our guide team, and help create exceptional experiences for our guests. This is a seasonal, full time position.
We believe great operations are built on strong systems, high standards, and strong relationships. We want a leader who builds trust, communicates openly, and creates a psychologically safe work environment where people feel comfortable asking questions, speaking up, giving and receiving feedback, and learning from mistakes.
We believe in excellence, not perfection. We hold ourselves and one another accountable while recognizing that mistakes and challenges are opportunities to learn, improve, and get better together. We value leaders who lean into difficult conversations, approach problems with curiosity, and look beyond individual mistakes to understand how our people and systems can improve.
What You'll Do
• Lead safe, efficient, and high-quality daily rafting operations.
• Design and deliver comprehensive guide training, from new-guide onboarding to ongoing skill development throughout the season.
• Serve as a technical leader in Class II-IV rafting, self-rescue, swiftwater rescue, and whitewater instruction.
• Build a team culture grounded in trust, accountability, open communication, and continuous learning.
• Improve operational systems by identifying patterns, solving problems, and finding ways to work more safely and fluidly.
• Review trip logs weekly and meet with the General Manager to recognize what is working, identify what needs revising, and turn lessons into action.
• Maintain clear communication across teams and ensure payroll and administrative responsibilities are completed accurately and on time.
• Support an exceptional guest experience and develop future leaders within the rafting team.
What We're Looking For
• Significant professional whitewater rafting experience, including Class IV technical proficiency.
• Strong self-rescue and swiftwater rescue skills.
• Experience teaching, coaching, training, or mentoring others.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• A systems-thinking approach and attention to detail.
• A willingness to have honest conversations, receive feedback, acknowledge mistakes, and hold yourself and others accountable.
• A commitment to high standards without creating a culture of fear or perfectionism.
Commercial rafting management experience and instructor-level whitewater or rescue certifications are preferred. Current appropriate first aid/CPR and rescue certifications, or the ability to obtain them, are required. WFR is preferred.
What Success Looks Like
A well-trained, confident team that communicates openly, takes ownership, supports one another, and continually improves. An operation where safety is embedded in everyday decisions, problems become opportunities for learning, and high standards are achieved through strong people and effective systems.
We're looking for someone equally comfortable leading a Class IV training session, having a difficult conversation, improving an operational process, and making sure the details are taken care of.
If you believe the best teams are built through trust, courage, accountability, and a commitment to getting better together, we'd love to hear from you.