Boat Captain in Seward, Alaska

JOB TITLE: Boat Captain

REPORTS TO: Weather Permitting Operations Manager & Lead Boat Captain

JOB OBJECTIVE: Provide safe travel on a daily basis along with fun and engaging natural history interpretation relevant to the area for our Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge guests as well as kayaking day guests.

CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

1. 25 Ton Near Coastal USCG License
2. CPR and First Aid

WORK LOCATION: Seward, Alaska and Kenai Fjords/Aialik Bay

SCHEDULE: 8-13 hour days; 5 days on/2 days off

SEASON: May – September

WAGE RANGE: $320/day (DOE)

HOUSING: Subsidized/discounted housing in Seward, AK

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must possess at least a 25 ton Near Coastal USCG license and be able to provide proof of USCG Boat Captain license and First Aid/CPR certification. Be familiar with USCG regulations and adhere to them.
2. Extensive experience safely operating vessels in a variety of conditions along the coast of Alaska.
3. Excellent risk management skills with a tendency towards conservative decision making.
4. Experience evaluating dynamic weather and conditions and experience keeping trip participants safe in a variety of weather conditions.
5. Natural history interpretation and guest services experience.
6. Must participate in a random drug screening program as required by the United States Coast Guard. WP will pay for the cost of initial and random drug screenings.
7. Basic knowledge or willingness to learn Google Drive, Google sheets, and Fleetio (vessel maintenance tracking) app.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Work requires knowledge gained in advanced training and specialized experiences in operating a boat in the capacity as Captain, natural history interpretation, principles of group leadership and interpersonal communications, basic mechanical knowledge, as well as safety skills and precautions.
2. Communicate effectively with the Lead Boat Captain and WP Operations manager on vessel upkeep and maintenance via the Fleetio app. Able to maintain a clean and organized vessel.
3. Provide safety briefings for each vessel, natural history interpretation and impeccable guest services.
4. Consistent exercise of discretion and judgment in the performance of the work with regard as a boat captain. WP expects captains to be conservative in risk management decisions and take into account a wide variety of perspectives (kayak guides, safari guides, KFGL, WP staff, other WP vessels) when making those decisions.
5. Close attention to detail and adherence to time schedules. Operations are delicately balanced on tight schedules. Arriving and departing on time throughout the day is of the utmost importance.
6. Practice and logging of safety procedures and protocol such as man overboard drills, fire drills on a regular basis with crew members.
7. While serving as the boat’s captain, work often requires supervisory capacity over the Deckhand/Naturalist and all trip participants for the duration of the trip.

Boat tasks and chores, including, but not limited to:

1. Assisting the Deckhand/Naturalist as needed, keeping the boat clean and orderly, assisting in light maintenance duties on each vessel and completing pre and post departure checklists and tasks.
2. Safely operate landing crafts with guests and/or freight on board.
3. Participate in a weather team to give input on possible weather cancellations.
4. Practice safe and responsible wildlife viewing in accordance with Weather Permitting best practices.
5. As a Boat Captain, you will be compensated only for days worked.
6. Performing work that is original, dynamic, and creative in character. Each and every situation during your work may require unique approaches and varying techniques in order to result in a consistent overall high quality experience for trip participants.
7. Flexibility and diversity. Employee duties and assignments may be modified and altered incidentally to Employee principal duties to allow for smooth operation of the business and maximum employment opportunities for the Employee.