Come work with us!
We are one of the largest whitewater rafting outfitters
exceptional customer service
Our emphasis at the Colorado Adventure Center is on providing exceptional customer service, caring about guests, and taking good care of our employees while offering an unforgettable experience. We are very lucky to be operating in Colorado and able to feature the many wonders of this very special place we call home.
We have many opportunities for employment at the Colorado Adventure Center. Consider training as a reservationist and guest service specialist, an adventure park and zip line guide, or whitewater raft guide. We encourage cross training, and pride ourselves on the quality of service we provide for each guest as well as fulfillment in the workplace. Check out our positions below and apply today to join our team of adventurers!
Please send any questions or comments to info@coloradoadventurecenter.com.
THE DETAILS
Our Mission & Values
OUR MISSION
To spark the adventurer within.
Our team provides accessible, guided, memorable outdoor experiences for over 25,000 adventure seekers every year.
OUR VALUES
In the pursuit of excellence, we:
- Practice safety
- Hold ourselves accountable
- Care about others
- Love what we do
- Support each other
- Seek growth
Our Staff
WHY WORK WITH US?:
We offer FREE TRAINING for Full-time committing staff. We desire to make our careers accessible for all, as we desire the outdoors to be. We are a large-scale, experienced and accountable team, with successful business development backgrounds.
We have FT/Seasonal opportunities with 1-week advance schedules. Earning up to 40 hours a week for your full-time commitment is our mutual goal. Our schedule is published one week in advance; although we are reservation-based we are also staffing-based.
We offer $15/hour minimum starting wage with bonus and incentive programs. Our careers start now! We recognize your effort and want to invest in those that also invest in us. Seeing you back year to year is our goal and greatest joy.
OUR ADVENTURERS SAY
“I was surrounded by people I loved, in a place that I loved, doing what I loved. CAC holds a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to get back to it.”
Aubrey, Raft Guide
“This past summer was my first season at Colorado Adventure Center as a zip guide, and I absolutely love it! I have the opportunity to meet and interact with people from all over the world and make their time in Colorado memorable, all while getting to zipline alongside some amazing co-guides!”
Jessica, Aerial Guide
“CAC is not just a fun and exciting workplace, it is a family built of amazing, wonderful people and opportunities.”
Kaylee, Raft Guide & Guest Service
“I have worked outside since I was 14 and couldn’t imagine ever working at a desk, my heart was drawn to adventure. My work at the Colorado Adventure Center is so rewarding! I get to run the river, zip through the sky, help others achieve their goals, and I even enjoy working at my desk! Our staff mean the world to me, and I trust them with my life and the lives of others every day.”
Seth, General Manager
Our Training Programs
AERIAL TRAINING PROGRAM:
- Intensive 5-day training course
- Skills for zipline and aerial adventure park tours
- Risk, emergency management and communication focus
- Led by our GM, Seth, with 20 years of guiding/instruction experience; and by our aerial manager, Luci, with 5 years of guiding/instruction experience
- Our CPR/First Aid Instructors provide training for medical rescue requirements for guide positions
TO APPLY:
- Must be over 18 years of age, be reasonably fit, and have full hand dexterity and full range of overhead arm motions.
- Must not have a fear of heights nor be prone to panic attacks or anxiety.
- Must meet the participant requirements (48” tall and between 65-250lbs).
- You are provided gear and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during class. Personal gear is NOT recommended and must be evaluated for approval.
- Although we hire most of our new guides from the training course, we emphasize that you are not guaranteed a job after the class is over.
Our 2024 Classes, Dates and Fees
Aerial Guide Training (AGT)
Dates: April 8 – 12, April 29 – May 3, May 20 – 24, June 10 – 14
Cost: $400 (or FREE w/ Full-Time position commitment)
Our Aerial Guide training classes are offered to individuals that are driven to succeed, attentive and aware, and safety conscious. This class will start to prepare you to guide aerial adventure tours on ziplines and aerial adventure parks. You will learn:
- To use protective equipment
- Inspect courses
- Perform technical rescues
- To practice safety at-height
- To instruct and coach guests at-height
RAFT TRAINING PROGRAM:
- Intensive 2-week course with just 2 days off
- Swift water rescue
- Paddle rafting skills
- Instructor on boat through entire training
- Led by our GM, Seth, with 20 years of guiding/instruction experience, and our Lead Instructor, Ryan, with 10 years of guiding/instruction experience
- Our CPR/First Aid & Swiftwater Instructors provide training for all medical and rescue requirements for guide positions
TO APPLY:
- Must be over 18 years of age, be reasonably fit, have full body dexterity, and full range of motion.
- Must have basic swimming ability without fear of water.
- Must pass the interview process to secure a seat in class.
- You are provided wetsuit, booties, splash jacket, and personal flotation device (PFD, or lifejacket) during class. Personal gear is recommended and evaluated for after class use approval.
- After training class, guides can purchase various gear such as a type III (minimum) lifejacket, a knife, whistle, cold weather gear (wetsuit or equivalent), a throw bag, dry bag, and personal cam-straps (sold at a significant discount, purchases are made through our retail store).
- Even though we hire most of our new guides from the training course, we emphasize that you are not guaranteed a job after the class is over.
Our 2024 Classes, Dates and Fees
River Guide Training (RGT)
Dates: May 8-12, May 15-19, May 29-June 2, June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23
Cost = $750 (or FREE w/ Full-Time position commitment)
Our Clear Creek River raft guide training classes are offered to individuals that are driven to succeed, attentive and aware, and safety conscious. This class will start to prepare you to guide paddle raft tours on the technical, narrow Clear Creek River. You will learn to:
- Personal preparation
- Set up and equip for full days on the river
- Assess risks in the river environment
- Read and run the river as a team
- Instruct and direct paddlers
- Prevent and respond to emergencies
- Swim and self-rescue in rapids
*This class has availability limited to potential new raft guides looking to work for the summer season.
Instructor Ride-Along’s (IRA)
May – June
No Cost
The instructor ride-along consists of boat trips mixed with guests, guides, trainees, and instructors. Trip capacity is maximized for Instructor to trainee ratio and meeting all requirements for state of Colorado river guide qualification for all trainees.
Upon successful completion (full attendance is required) of raft training program or approved equivalent, trainees will qualify for hire for the 2024 season. CPR classes available as needed for a $50 fee.
Swift Water Rescue 4 (SR4)
Dates: May 8 – 10, May 21 – 23, June 4-6, June 18-20
Cost = $300 (half off for CAC staff)
The Swiftwater Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. You will learn:
- Personal safety
- Simple, commonly used swiftwater skills
- Advanced techniques for greater risks
- Dealing with strainers
- Rescue vest applications
- Flips, entrapments and pins
- Accident prevention
*These classes are limited to potential new raft guides looking to work for the summer season.
Our Season, Teams & Positions
OUR SEASON:
Aerial & Guest Service: March to October; Peak season June 15 – August 15
Rafting: May to August; Peak season June 15 – August 1
Part-time work will be available; however, work-hour priority is given to full time or dedicated staff. Tour hours are reservation dependent, hours fluctuate through season, impacted by availability and need.
Weekend and Holiday availability is required for all positions
OUR TEAMS:
The Guest Service team creates the framework of the guest experience. The team provides online and phone reservation sales to quality guests for our activity teams to serve. The team is the first and last to interact with our guests on their visit. This team provides for our base needs and ensures the guests are well informed and prepared for their activity. Team training is provided at start of position or cross training from activity department.
The Aerial Team creates high flying, smooth landing experiences for our guests seeking adventures up in the air. The team provides step by step movements for guests to speed across zip lines and climb across obstacles. This team ensures at height safety, friendly interactions and unforgettable experiences.
The Rafting Team creates family focused, rough river paddling experiences for our guests seeking adventure on the water. The team provides step by step instruction for guests to push their boat across varied sections of the Clear Creek River. This team ensures on-river safety, epic stories and soaking wet splashes.
OUR POSITIONS:
CURRENT SEASONAL – FULL TIME OPENINGS:
CDL Drivers – Typically Starts 5/15, Ends 8/15 – $24+/hour
- Provides timely transportation of guests, staff, and equipment to and from base.
- Ensures proper fueling, tire pressure, and fluids of vehicles are performed and documented daily.
- Sells adventure tours online and over the phone by informing and guiding guest purchases.
- Provides on-site check ins for guest arrivals by welcoming, informing, and directing guests to their adventuress
- Provides safe and quality aerial park and zip line tours for guests through constant monitoring, detailed instruction, and appropriate prevention and intervention.
- Assists team in inspection of courses and equipment, preparation for tours, equipping guests, and documentation of work performed.
Raft Guides & Boathouse Assistants – Typically Starts 5/14, Ends 9/15 – starting $15/hour
- Provides safe and quality river tours for guests through constant monitoring, detailed instruction, and appropriate prevention and intervention.
- Assists boathouse team in inspection and set up of equipment, preparation for tours, shuttle van driving, equipping guests, and documentation of work performed.
