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Wilderness Aware was established in 1976 and was
bought by the current owners, Joe and Sue Greiner in 1985. We have grown from
three boats and 800 user days in 1986 to 30 boats and over 11,000 user days in
2005. We use self-bailing boats exclusively. Boats not capable of holding
pressure for a 2-day trip are fixed or replaced. All of our equipment is
top-of-the line and is fixed immediately when broken, or replaced when
shabby.
We run very conservatively. We concentrate on Class
III and IV sections of rivers, although we train on class V on a regular basis
with guides and friends of guides. Our policy of intense training and
conservative commercial guiding has resulted in more than 30 years of
lawsuit-free rafting.
 Wilderness Aware runs a very tight ship. We have
certain ways of doing things, and we like to standardize our procedures as much
as possible so that when you are working with different combinations of guides,
you are concentrating on having fun instead of re-inventing the wheel on every
trip. We also like our guides to enjoy a supportive atmosphere, where everyone
gets along and contributes to a team effort. That requires some self-sacrifice
from guides for the good of the whole. We also look for very intelligent,
personable people, with new ideas that can help our system improve and run more
smoothly. These things are extremely important to us, not only philosophically,
but also because we run so many different kinds of trips it is important for
there to be good communication between guides. If you continue this application
process, be sure you are comfortable with this kind of work situation.
See the job description
page for the pay scale and our benefits package.
HOUSING? Wilderness Aware owns an 18 unit
mobile home park. Guides are assigned to a unit with 2-4 roommates. This park
is within biking distance from our office just outside Buena Vista. Many guides
do not have cars. $400 covers your rent for the season, water, sewer and trash
bills for the summer. Gas and electric are divided equally among roommates.
INTERVIEW TRIPS: Wilderness Aware sponsors
several training trips for inexperienced guides each year. We are trying to
encourage experienced guide participation by subsidizing these trips at a cost
of $150 (a savings of $100). We will offer advice on what works for us and show
you policies that keeps our team running smoothly. Our energy is focused on
entry level training for inexperienced trainees that will constitute the bulk
of the applicants. You will be asked to help head up work crews and guide the
harder rapids. Please go to "Information for
Inexperienced Guide Training" to see how and where our interview program
operates.
REFUNDS: Once you are accepted and have paid
for the trip, there will be a $20 fee for cancellation to cover postage,
printing and phone costs. Shopping will be done two weeks before the trip and
therefore no refunds are possible less than two weeks before the trip unless we
can find someone to take your place.
The bottom line is if you read this letter and
contract very closely and feel you can meet our expectations and can work in
the environment we've described, we want to meet you. In order to be hired, you
must complete the application and attend an
interview raft trip in the spring. Also, if you have a summary of your river
experience, please mail or e-mail us a copy. Be sure to indicate on your
application if it is okay to call your present rafting employer. Please let us
know if you do not want us to contact your current employer. Check out the
job description for more details on the position.
Also check out the info for inexperienced guide training
program to learn more about our trips. Thanks for considering joining
us.
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