Island Spirit Kayak Team Application

To Apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to:

Island Spirit Kayak
455 State Road, PMB 173
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

or

Email: chick@islandspiritkayak.com

Are you interested in working outdoors, teaching natural history, and leading sea kayak trips? Then apply now to join our team. Keep in mind that guiding is hard work and requires a great deal of training and preparation. Island Spirit guides need to excel at a wide array of skills, including leadership, sea kayaking safety and rescue, instructing outdoor skills, teaching natural history, and preparing great snacks!
Our sea kayak guides undergo an intense three day training program the first week of June. When completed, you will feel confident of your skills and prepared for whatever happens on the water, as you will have practiced it all in marine conditions.

How to Apply for a Job with Island Spirit Kayak
Applications are by resume only. A recent photo of yourself, especially in an outdoor situation, can be helpful. Send a standard resume augmented with details of sea kayaking and/or marine travel experiences, and marine natural history skills. Keep in mind that if you are in good physical condition, we can train you to be a safe and strong kayak guide very quickly. On the other hand, natural history knowledge is something that takes much longer to acquire, and you will need to be knowledgeable in this area or spend several months studying before you arrive for training. We will provide a required reading list for this purpose!
Sea Kayak Guide / Naturalist Educator
Qualifications: Strong leadership abilities in outdoor situations; able to lead detailed discussions on marine natural history. Driver’s license, current CPR and at least standard first aid required.
Enrollment and successful completion of our three day “Sea Kayak Guide Training Program” is mandatory. Internships are available for students and those with little experience. If interested, please indicate this clearly in your cover letter.
Duties: Assist in all phases of field operations, including leading sea kayak tours, transportation of gear, preparation of food and equipment, routine maintenance, etc. Summer program: averages to full-time from late June to early September, and part-time in May to early June and from late September to mid-October. Depending on your individual agreement, positions begin either mid-May or late June and end sometime between early-September to mid-October. Mandatory “Sea Kayak Guide Training Program” takes place the first week of June with dates announced later.
Work Location: Oak Bluffs, MA.
Salary: Up to $200/day depending on skills and prior experience.

Spirit Shack Server
Qualifications: Very Outgoing and Peppy personality; able to work at a rapid pace, ability to lift 40lbs on a regular basis. ServSafe MA certification required.
Duties: Prepare shaved ice, work at a brisk pace, able to work under pressure, reliably count and return change, serve prepackaged snacks, help with inventory, restock, set up and and cleaning of Spirit Shack. Act as an information booth to lost tourists, help kayak rentals and tours when needed.
End of June – end of August.
Salary: Starting $9 per hour plus great tips.

Rentals:  Base camp at Little Bridge, executor of rentals!  We need someone whom can be responsible for getting people out on the water in a safe and friendly manner.  This job holds the responsibility of accounting for all paddlers on and off the water as well as lookout, rescue and tour helper.  All you can eat shave ice included.  Great opportunity for people lovers and those looking for an amazing tan this summer!  Salary: Starts $9 per hour plus tips!

Assistant Director: Reservationist, and Logistician
Qualifications: Excellent communication and organizational skills. Ability to work smoothly with both the public and staff under occasionally demanding situations. Previous office experience is a must with strong computer and telephone skills. Driver’s license and clean driving record.
Duties: Assist with all aspects of office administration and field program support. Telephone duties include providing program information, taking reservations, etc. Other office duties include word processing and other computer work, record keeping, mailings, staff scheduling, etc. Logistical support includes shuttling of vehicles and preparation of supplies for sea kayak tours. Five days per week, full-time, May/June through September, possible part time in October.
Salary: Up to $800/week depending on skills and prior experience.

Island Spirit Kayak Summer Internship

Island Spirit Kayak is Martha’s Vineyard’s premier provider of kayak nature tours, kid’s kayak camp, rentals, and skills instruction. We are paddlers devoted to guiding and teaching our guests about our island’s natural history and beauty through a healthy and low impact activity.

Our goal is also to inspire and encourage others through annual kayak races, events, parades, safety awareness days and fundraisers to benefit youth groups and charitable organizations. We feel our strong presence in the community promotes kayaking as a sport as well as offering a fun way to contribute to the island.

Our high-spirited staff of dedicated kayakers are annually trained in ocean rescue, certified by the American Canoe Association, have completed Red Cross CPR and First Aid training. They are also highly knowledgeable of our island’s wildlife, history, and social aspects.

Description of Internship:

Interns will assist in all aspects of Island Spirit Kayak’s tours, planning, programs, and charitable events. Interns will assist in guiding kayak tours, including fishing, sunrise, sunset, corporate group, youth, and biking tours. They will also assist in the day-to-day operation of the kayak shop, including repairs, reservations, cleaning, and organization.

Successful interns are required to participate in guide training, attend all staff meetings, and become certified in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR. Training and meetings are unpaid and may require a minimal cost to the intern. Training and meetings will begin in early spring, although the paid internship does not start until the summer.

Applicant Requirements:

Applicants should be currently working on a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas: Biology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Parks and Recreation, or related field. Applicants must be able to work outdoors in rain and windy conditions, doing physically demanding work(ability to regularly lift 70lbs is required). Desired qualifications include: Strong leadership qualities, ability to lead and interact with large groups and families, interest in working with children, overall posistive attitude and love of the water!

To Apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to:

Island Spirit Kayak
Summer Internship Program
455 State Road, PMB 173
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

Email: chick@islandspiritkayak.com