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Summer 2026 Outdoor Jobs in NYC

Join Our Athletic Boathouse Team

Welcome to our paddling center on the Hudson River: outfitter, guide service, and school.

We’re searching for Summer 2026 team members who show up ready, step up without being asked, and thrive in a physically demanding, hands-on day. If you enjoy helping others, being outdoors, staying active and unplugging, we want to hear from you.

Our days move quickly. We launch guests, lead trips, scan the water, teach people hands-on, and carry boats. Calm moments can shift into action, and we handle them together: sudden storms, rough landings, paddlers who need a steady hand. The work keeps us sharp. Afterward, we sit around the table and replay what happened: who needed help, what we handled well, what we learned. Shared effort builds lasting friendships among our team and our paddlers.

We’re hiring for the 2026 Summer Season, and now’s the time to reach out if you have kayaking or paddling experience or spent time helping people learn something hands-on in an athletic or outdoor setting.

MKC team

NYC Kayak Guide | Part-Time, Summer 2026

Lead outdoor adventures and teach people on the water.

This role is for experienced paddlers who thrive in dynamic open water and have the emotional intelligence to lead a group through it. We’re looking for guides who are technical navigators and natural entertainers at once—people who use their loud, warm, supportive voices to make a well-timed joke as easily as a safety call. You must be able to connect with people in high-stakes moments, turning confusion or fear into a sense of confidence and joy.

Responsibilities

  • Lead or assist river trips ranging from 1 to 30 miles
  • Adapt float plans on the fly based on changing river conditions
  • Teach paddling and safety essentials to guests of all levels
  • Build rapport and keep the energy high within your groups
  • Check in, outfit, launch, and land paddlers with care
  • Set up and maintain boats and gear to keep the boathouse ready

Required Skills

  • Bring prior on-water guiding experience to the team
  • Use effective listening and observation to keep the group safe
  • Give loud, clear, and supportive instructions in any environment
  • Stay athletic enough to carry boats up to 95 lbs with assistance
  • Handle towing, rescuing others, and launching boats with confidence

Nice to Have

  • General knowledge of NYC waterways and currents
  • Current CPR and First Aid certifications
  • ACA or BCU paddling certifications

Schedule

  • Part-time May–September/October
  • Weekend availability is required

Pay and Benefits

  • Starts at $17/hour for all new hires
  • Gratuities for all trips and activities you participate in
  • Unplugged, active work in a world-class environment

Boathouse Crew | Part-Time, Summer 2026

Power the daily launch and keep our boathouse moving.

You don’t need prior paddling experience to thrive here. We provide full training for our crew. We’re looking for reliable, athletic teammates who show up ready to move, step up without being asked, and take pride in a physically demanding day on the water.

Responsibilities

  • Answer guest questions with warmth and clarity
  • Check in, outfit, launch, and land paddlers safely
  • Present basic paddling instructions once you’ve mastered our training
  • Keep our boathouse spaces clean and ready for action

Required Skills

  • Communicate clearly and effectively in person and in writing
  • Stay calm under pressure while multitasking in a fast-paced environment
  • Use Google Suite to keep our dashboard and check-ins organized
  • Bring the athletic capability to move gear and carry up to 95 lbs with assistance

Nice To Have

  • A background in fitness, athletics, or customer service
  • A natural interest in water sports or being outdoors

Schedule

  • Part-time May–September/October
  • Weekend availability is required.

Pay and Benefits

  • Starts at $17/hour for all new hires
  • Gratuities for all activities you participate in
  • Active, unplugged work with daily opportunities to get on the water

Social Content Manager | Part-Time, Summer 2026

Capture the real story of our community while you work on the water.

This role is a monthly stipend in addition to your hourly pay as a Guide or Boathouse Crew member. It is designed for a teammate who naturally spots Aha! and Awe! moments, stays on the pulse of the boathouse, and wants to lead our digital storytelling while staying active on the river.

Responsibilities

  • Team up with the crew to catch authentic moments
  • Collect the small details that bring our stories to life
  • Create and post high-energy Reels, Stories, and TikToks
  • Turn views into bookings with clear invitations to join us
  • Keep our content library organized and ready for action

Required Skills

  • Think ahead so you know which moments to capture
  • Focus on inspiring people to visit us, not just gathering likes
  • Proactively communicate with the rest of the team
  • Edit and post content with enough speed and clarity to keep it fresh
  • Use Instagram and TikTok creator tools with ease and expertise

Nice to Have

  • Weave this role into your active, outdoor day without missing a beat
  • Use good judgment to keep it simple so you don’t overwork the details
  • Spot standout moments that others might paddle past

Schedule

  • Part-time May–September/October
  • Flexible hours, focused on weekends

Pay and Benefits

  • $400/month flat stipend added to your hourly pay
  • Full reimbursement for your preferred editing apps and file storage
  • Performance bonus based on your impact on bookings

Apply Now. We're Hiring.

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