Employment
Seasonal Interpretive Guides
RiverWatch hires thirty-two outstanding river guides each year for science and public education programs in Calgary and Edmonton. Hiring is on-going and year-round until all positions are filled for spring, summer and fall seasons, so we’re interested in hearing from you if you have the passion and skills listed below:
- Do you love outdoor adventure?
- Are you fit and athletic?
- Enjoy working with youth?
- Do you have a good public speaking voice, outgoing personality, sense of humor and a ready smile?
- Can you multi-task and create order out of chaos?
- Do you have a background of youth work, science, swimming, paddling, team-work and first-aid?
- Is the environment, water and climate change an interest of yours?
If you’re interested in guiding with RiverWatch, you’re invited to first Google search and view our 18-minute YouTube video “RiverWatch Staff Training.”
If you’ve already viewed our Staff Training video and still see yourself being a RiverWatch guide, the next step is to send us your resume and a covering letter. Be sure to include a description and details of your swimming, paddling and youth experience. We want to be sure to match the best staff with their best-ever job!
RiverWatch Staff Training Video
Guiding Overview
Spring, summer, or fall school programs are delivered by guide teams based in Edmonton and Calgary.
- Each city sees programs delivered for 3000 participants in a season spanning up to 20 weeks.
- Each work day 8:00-4:00 begins and ends with teamwork to handle all rafts and equipment.
- Guides work independently through the day with their own group of program participants.

Seasonal guide team are a blend of staff from different post-secondary backgrounds and differing years of experience with RiverWatch.
If you’re seeking career experience in environmental science, outdoor leadership and/or teaching, we’re looking to hire a team of exceptional people for seasonal science and education adventures with RiverWatch!
RiverWatch has seasonal Multi-Program Guide positions available each spring, summer and fall:
- 20 week positions April to August
- 30 week positions working late-April to late-October
- Edmonton or Calgary

School guides assist students with all chemistry testing and invertebrate identification at two shoreline stops.
Work Focus
The RiverWatch Driver/Support is responsible for driving a custom-designed school bus while towing a raft trailer, in addition to providing logistical support throughout the day to a dynamic team of Interpretive River Guides.
- Driver/Support is the center of the RiverWatch world – shuttling guides, rafts and equipment to and from the starting point, lunch stop and end of day points.
- This position is also responsible for keeping daily vehicle logs; fuelling; all day-to-day equipment maintenance; the moving and storage of student gear; coordinating schedules with admin staff; trouble-shooting; team organization; and whatever can be done to support river guides in their work.
Candidate Requirements
The Driver/Support candidate should enjoy working outdoors in a team environment while driving a very large vehicle. Driver/Support candidates should have Standard First Aid certification; a Class 5 Unrestricted Driver’s License; a clean Driver’s Abstract; be organized, punctual and reliable; be a team player; understand customer service; be comfortable working outdoors in all weather; and able to lift heavy gear.
Training and Hours
Driver/Support includes comprehensive, paid training for a Class 2 Licence; all driving duties; and logistical delivery. Following two days of driver training; a driving exam; several days of logistical orientation; and ongoing mentorship, the Driver/Support will generally work weekdays 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. with some out-of-town work and/or on weekends.

RiverWatch buses transport guides, equipment and rafts, but not students.
From time-to-time, RiverWatch may post available management and leadership positions such as Executive Director, Citizen Science Manager or Business Manager. Currently, there are no postings.

RiverWatch operates with three full-time management staff working “behind-the-scenes”.
- Guiding Overview
-
Guiding Overview
Spring, summer, or fall school programs are delivered by guide teams based in Edmonton and Calgary.
- Each city sees programs delivered for 3000 participants in a season spanning up to 20 weeks.
- Each work day 8:00-4:00 begins and ends with teamwork to handle all rafts and equipment.
- Guides work independently through the day with their own group of program participants.
Seasonal guide team are a blend of staff from different post-secondary backgrounds and differing years of experience with RiverWatch.
- Multi-Program Guides
-
If you’re seeking career experience in environmental science, outdoor leadership and/or teaching, we’re looking to hire a team of exceptional people for seasonal science and education adventures with RiverWatch!
RiverWatch has seasonal Multi-Program Guide positions available each spring, summer and fall:
- 20 week positions April to August
- 30 week positions working late-April to late-October
- Edmonton or Calgary
School guides assist students with all chemistry testing and invertebrate identification at two shoreline stops.
- Driver / Support
-
Work Focus
The RiverWatch Driver/Support is responsible for driving a custom-designed school bus while towing a raft trailer, in addition to providing logistical support throughout the day to a dynamic team of Interpretive River Guides.
- Driver/Support is the center of the RiverWatch world – shuttling guides, rafts and equipment to and from the starting point, lunch stop and end of day points.
- This position is also responsible for keeping daily vehicle logs; fuelling; all day-to-day equipment maintenance; the moving and storage of student gear; coordinating schedules with admin staff; trouble-shooting; team organization; and whatever can be done to support river guides in their work.
Candidate Requirements
The Driver/Support candidate should enjoy working outdoors in a team environment while driving a very large vehicle. Driver/Support candidates should have Standard First Aid certification; a Class 5 Unrestricted Driver’s License; a clean Driver’s Abstract; be organized, punctual and reliable; be a team player; understand customer service; be comfortable working outdoors in all weather; and able to lift heavy gear.
Training and Hours
Driver/Support includes comprehensive, paid training for a Class 2 Licence; all driving duties; and logistical delivery. Following two days of driver training; a driving exam; several days of logistical orientation; and ongoing mentorship, the Driver/Support will generally work weekdays 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. with some out-of-town work and/or on weekends.
RiverWatch buses transport guides, equipment and rafts, but not students.
- Other
-
From time-to-time, RiverWatch may post available management and leadership positions such as Executive Director, Citizen Science Manager or Business Manager. Currently, there are no postings.
RiverWatch operates with three full-time management staff working “behind-the-scenes”.