Seasonal Kayak Guide

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $17-$20 

Hours per week: 8-16 hours a weekend June-August 

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Limited Term 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: April - October 

Location: Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

Visited by more than 350,000 people annually, Crane Beach remains a national model for balancing conservation of diverse natural habitats and wildlife—more than 1,200 acres of beachfront, dunes, and maritime forest grace the property—with the management of active public recreation. Whether you want to take a refreshing plunge, play in the sand, or bask in the sun, this unparalleled seaside experience has provided fun and lasting memories for generations. Our seasonal team members are the driving force for creating a safe, mission driven and memorable experience for all Crane Estate visitors.    

The Role:

As a Seasonal Crane Outdoors Kayak Guide, you will support the engagement mission of The Trustees. The Crane Outdoors Kayak Guide is instrumental in leading kayak trips and other outdoor-based recreational programming. They will bring guests safely into the varied natural areas at the Crane Estate, engage and inspire them to enjoy the outdoors, deepen their sense of place, and foster an appreciation of the Trustees conservation mission. The Crane Estate contains over 2000+ acres of pristine natural beauty, including some of the best paddle-friendly saltmarsh in the Northeast, a variety of islands on which trips often land, and an extensive trail network in a dune habitat hosting 11 distinct ecosystems. It is open daily and operates programming on weekdays, weekends, evenings, and some holidays, particularly during peak seasons. The Crane Outdoors kayaking season begins Memorial Day Weekend and runs through October.  

The Crane Outdoors Kayak Guides will work closely with the Crane Outdoors Manager and Head Guide to create best-in-class guided experiences for Crane Estate guests. Using the Crane Outdoors fleet of sit-in kayaks, Guides will lead kayak trips, hikes, and/or other outdoor adventures, fit guests with required adventure gear, and always maintain a keen eye on safety, including assisting with the maintenance of Trustees-owned equipment. Most importantly, Crane Outdoors Guides must bring a passion and sense of wonder of the outdoors to this work and be excited about the prospect of sharing this with visitors to the Crane Estate. 

Specifically, you’ll:

• Deliver quality outdoor recreational programming that leverages unique Trustees assets such as easy access to a paddle-safe tidal estuary, hiking trails, and relevant outdoor historic and cultural resources  

• Own the safety and enjoyment of Crane Outdoors guests, including on-the-water group management and rescue as needed  

• Leverage training provided by Crane Estate guest experience and environmental professionals to educate guests about the natural and cultural history of the Crane Estate  

• Report on events with attendance and final enrollment data  

• Assisting with the care of the kayak fleet and other relevant field gear, including logging equipment issues/repair needs  

• Connect guests with information about membership and other upcoming programs  

• Interact with Crane Outdoors volunteers so that their experience is enjoyable and makes a positive contribution to program execution. 

This is a limited-term, non-exempt position (16 hours/week) reporting directly to the CraneOutdoors Manager. 

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• A high-level of physical fitness and an ability to lead groups outdoors, sometimes under challenging conditions  

• A positive attitude, strong team-orientation, and a flexible approach and commitment to achieving the goals of the Crane Outdoors program and The Trustees more broadly  

• Leveraging training to be provided, a willingness to bring to this work a solid understanding of the rich ecological and/or cultural history of the Crane Estate, including Castle Hill, Castle Neck, and the Crane Wildlife Refuge  

• Applicants should possess an active certificate or be willing to acquire First Aid and CPR certification. Outdoor safety training, provided by The Trustees, is required of all Guides. 

• Willing to work outside during all weather conditions (guest safety precludes heading into known hazards, though coastal weather conditions can change quickly).  

• Ability to move a 60-lb kayak alone or with another person.  

• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record required for driving Trustees vehicles.  

• CORI check required.   

• Flexibility to work holidays, evenings, and weekends is required.  

• Willingness to drive a Trustees pickup truck and gator, if required.  

• Valid driver’s license required for driving TTOR vehicles.  

• Flexibility to work nights and weekends is required; access to a car is necessary. 

• Must be able to work in variable outdoor weather and water conditions throughout the summer. 

• Some heavy lifting of kayaks and other equipment will be required.  

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org!

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: Mass Sick Leave Accrual 

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.