Naturalist

If you love the outdoors, are a life-long learner and enjoy a positive work environment, this is the place for you! Charleston Outdoor Adventures has been educating guests about the Lowcountry & salt marsh ecosystem for nearly 15 years. As a Naturalist Tour Guide, you will lead small groups of guests on 2 hour and 3 hour long kayak excursions, assist unguided rentals and spend your days outside learning & exploring.

Responsibilities & Expectations:

• Participation in a 2 week (approximate) training
• Ability to complete safety training
• Learning & communicating scientific information
• Passion for nature
• Have personal transportation
• Must be able to work holidays & weekends, accommodate “split” shifts, being on-call and working a seasonal job
• Ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude while working outside in the elements

Required Experience:

• Adult & Child CPR/First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)
• Experience kayaking or paddleboarding
• Experience speaking in front of groups
• Ability to swim
• Ability to lift 50-100 lbs repeatedly
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Ability to arrive on time and maintain professional experience & conduct
• Competence & common sense

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading nature-based tours
• Paddling certification(s)
• Knowledge of local ecology and/or understanding of marine/coastal environments
• Associate or Bachelor degree in areas of environmental science, recreation, communication, education or similar field

Trainings
As a Naturalist Tour Guide, you will participate in an on-site safety training session and approximately 2 weeks of shadowing and co-leading tours. All training sessions will be scheduled by management based on staff availability, need and weather conditions. A manager or senior guide will complete a “check off” before you lead solo tours.

Schedule

Full time, seasonal Naturalist Tour Guides work 5-6 days per week. Guides can expect 5-8 hours of scheduled tours and/or landing shifts per day. Given the seasonal & outdoor nature of this job, days are dependent on weather & interest, with highest hours expected in the Spring, Summer & Fall months. Seasonal employees can expect to be scheduled regularly March- October.

All staff are expected to be available to work weekends & holidays.

Landing/ Rental Assistant Shifts
Landing/ Rental Assistant shifts are assigned on an “as needed” basis. Naturalist guides can expect roughly 1-2 assigned landing shifts per week. These shifts are set hours spent on land assisting tours on/off the water, preparing for, instructing and assisting unguided rentals, and facility & kayak maintenance.