We currently have both full and part-time guide positions open for the 2024 season. Guides that have previous commercial guiding experience should email a cover letter, work resume and river log. Include information on your begin and end date for the year and why you think Blue Sky is a good fit for you.
Guide Training
We offer training for individuals without commercial guiding experience. Our training is structured to provide trainees flexibility as well as ample training opportunities to become proficient in river guiding. The focus of the first 2 days of training is Blue Sky company policies, information and logistics about our primary river trips as well as the beginning of on-river guide training. Trainees can generally expect to need a minimum of 8 days of training in order to be prepared to successfully pass the proficiency guide test. Guides cannot begin guiding commercial trips until they have graduated from training. Training days are dependent on the amount of experience a guide has prior to applying at Blue Sky.
Training dates are currently scheduled for all weekends in May but may change depending on trainee availability and training progress.
Training is from about 8am-5pm.
Additional days and opportunities are not guaranteed so please make every effort to attend the days as scheduled.
Cost of training: training is free in 2024!
Training Signup
Our guide training is designed to help prospective guides gain the basic skills necessary to commercially guide intermediate rivers (Class 3-4). Everyone who successfully completes training will be considered for employment for the 2024 season but a job offer is not guaranteed. Our training emphasizes hands-on experience with the help of experienced instructors.
The training fee includes use of all necessary equipment including life jacket, helmet, wetsuit, and paddle. Once training is complete, guides are generally expected to purchase a personal life jacket, paddle, knife, whistle and other personal river gear. Discounts are available through Blue Sky for gear and other low cost options are available in Portland. Training takes place primarily on the Clackamas River and other rivers in the area. Successful trainees who are invited to work with Blue Sky will be guiding the Clackamas River.
The training course includes both on- and off-river sessions covering topics such as river dynamics, boat rigging, paddling strokes, guiding strategies, river safety, river rescue, knot tying, and customer relations.