About this role
JOB DESCRIPTION: SNOWSHOE GUIDE
POSITION: Snowshoe Guide
REPORTS TO: Evergreen Backcountry Guides Director
DEPARTMENT: Evergreen Backcountry Guides (EBG)
POSITION SUMMARY:
Snowshoe guides will lead guests into snowshoe accessed wilderness areas, national park areas, and trail networks in and around the Hakuba Valley. Snowshoe guides will work within the framework of our backcountry tour operations office, Evergreen Backcountry Guides (EBG)
POSITION DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Our guides are responsible for the safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment of guests out on snowshoe tours. Guides should have snowshoe/hiking/trekking experience, route finding skills, strong leadership and communication skills, Wilderness First Aid skills, avalanche rescue skills and winter rescue training.
• Guides will be expected to safely manage groups in snowshoe tour terrain, create ascent and descent routes, manage tour time to leave and return in acceptable times, cater to guests needs and abilities in the field, find safe yet fun and satisfying terrain for that particular day and area.
• Guides will be expected to understand and record pertinent data in their logbooks. Guides will be expected to fill out when required; trip plan forms, rental equipment forms, vehicle accident report forms, emergency /accident /injury report forms.
• Guides will be expected to potentially “mentor” trainee guides or new EBG guides to teach them terrain, tour flow, tour locations, tour, and guest management, and guiding practices.
• Guides will also drive company van's to and from tour locations. Guides will fill up and receive receipts for gasoline, clean off snow/ice from exterior, clean trash from interior. Guides will be expected to check and refill if needed: for oil levels and wind shield wiper fluid and let their manager know if EBG vehicles have any mechanical issues. Guides will be expected to follow Japan road and driving laws, drive defensively, change tires (if flat tires w/ spare) and park company vehicles in appropriate areas.
• Guides will be expected to follow our duty of care to our guests from tour start to tour end. Guides will be expected to provide first aid, rescue action, rescue leadership, rescue communications, rescue/evacuation plans and strategy and total group care while on the tour. Guides will also be expected to respond to 3rd party or other parties’ emergencies/rescues/accidents if assistance is available, feasible and does not compromise the safety/care of our guests.
• Guides will be expected to have and carry company cell phone and radio on their person during all tours and to be reachable after office hours. A GPS device is also a great addition, but not mandatory.
• Guides should have a friendly personality and show enthusiasm for guiding.
• Guides will be expected to establish a professional rapport with guests to instill confidence and trust.
• Guides should also possess solid organizational skills and have effective communication skills.
• Guides will be expected to participate in company required in-house and in-the-field training.
JOB DUTIES MAY ALSO INCLUDE:
Snow clearing, tidying up front and back of office space, replacing and or fixing rental gear and equipment, assisting with staff accommodation and personal room clean-up /maintenance, picking up and dropping off guests at locations within Hakuba/Nagano, replying to emails or providing information to our admin staff regarding guest’s situations or guests’ conditions/sentiment/feelings/feedback.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES:
Due to the many variables that affect business operations, occasionally, employees may be asked to perform other duties or assist in efforts outside their primary area of responsibility, when admin staff deems it necessary. This may include performing in any subordinate position.
SUPERVISORY DUTIES:
Supervise new staff or new guides with daily operations and provide training to new staff or new guides. Rental set up training, rope rescue training, avalanche rescue training, driving training, route, and tour terrain training.
GENERAL DUTIES:
Leading or assisting half day or full day snowshoe tours, leading, or assisting evening snowshoe tours. Potential to lead or assist Cross-country Ski Tours (Nordic ski). Prepare personal gear and guest gear for all their tours.
DAILY:
Leading or assisting full day snowshoe tours, leading, or assisting evening snowshoe tours. Plan, adjust and maintain group management, and guest safety from tour start to end. Cleaning off and preparing company vehicles, driving, and picking up guests, checking vehicles gas levels and refueling. Carrying snowshoe tour gear/equipment/ drinks/snacks/food on tours. Providing snowshoe boots, hot drinks, and snacks and/or lunch to guests on tours. Resetting and drying snowshoe gear, washing tour utensils/cups/thermos’s/plates/bowls etc., resetting and purchasing tour tea/coffee/snack supplies. Using radio and/or cell phone to communicate with office.
WEEKLY:
Monitor rental gear for maintenance, repair or retiring. Follow staff housing/accommodation cleaning rosters and attend meetings for guides/staff housing.
MONTHLY:
Attend company meetings.
SEASONAL:
Attend company pre-season or mid-season trainings, and end-of season meetings. Receive and return any EBG ID cards, Season’s passes, radios, cell phone & chargers, maps, and uniform.
PREREQUISITES:
• Wilderness First Aid: 20-hour course (minimum) and valid certification.
• Japanese Driver’s License or International Driver’s License.
• High level of fitness, comfortable and capable to lead tours in all snow and weather conditions and on all terrain (snow = powder, crud, ice, slush), (weather = clear/sunny, snowing/blizzard/ windy, rainy, (terrain = trees and forest terrain, alpine bowls, gullies, creek crossings, snow bridges, crossing avalanche slide paths, etc.).
• Extensive personal hiking/touring/trekking experience.
• Map/Compass/GPS usage & route-finding skills/ navigation skills and experience.
FAVORABLE QUALIFICATIONS (not pre-requisites but valuable assets/experience):
• Other Outdoor Guide/Instructor/ Leader Certification.
• Tour Guide/Tour Guest Service Expérience.
• Naturalist /Biologist/Ecologist /Interpretive guide.
• Avalanche Safety Course/training education/experience.
• Hiking guiding experience/internship/training.
• Other instructor certification /experience.
• Ski Patrol Experience.
POSITION COMPETENCIES
The following competencies may be demonstrated in this position, among others:
• Analytical - Synthesizing diverse information, using intuition and experience to complement data. Demonstrating attention to detail.
• Problem Solving - Identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner. Gathering and analyzing information skillfully. Using reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Customer Service - Managing difficult or emotional customer situations. Responding promptly to customer needs. Responding to requests for service and assistance.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focusing on solving conflict, not blaming. Maintaining confidentiality Listening to others without interrupting. Keeping emotions under control.
• Oral Communication - Speaking clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations Listening and getting clarification. Responding well to questions. Demonstrating group presentation skills. Participating in meetings.
• Organizational Support - Following policies and procedures. Supporting Evergreen goals and values.
• Judgement - Exhibiting sound and accurate judgment.
• Planning/ Organizing - Prioritizing and planning work activities. Using time efficiently.
• Professionalism - Approaching others in a tactful manner. Reacting well under pressure Treating others with respect and consideration, regardless of their status or position. Accepting responsibility for own actions.
• Quality/ Quantity - Demonstrating accuracy and thoroughness. Monitoring own work to ensure quality. Completing work in a timely manner.
• Safety and Security - Observing safety and security procedures. Determining appropriate action beyond guidelines. Reporting potentially unsafe conditions. Using equipment and materials properly.
• Adaptability - Adapting to changes in the work environment. Ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability - Is consistently at work and on time. Following instructions, responds to management direction. Taking responsibility for own actions. Committing to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Attending required staff meetings.
• Initiative - Volunteering readily; asking for and offers help when needed.
Additional tasks not enumerated in this job description may be assigned. Reasonable requests by Management are considered valid job assignments.