Outdoor Adventure Jobs in NYC: Join Our Team on the Hudson River
Experience the excitement of working on the water while sharing the joy of paddle sports to New York City. At Manhattan Kayak, you’ll be part of a vibrant community of passionate, fun-loving people who thrive outdoors.
Join us at our Hudson River Park location near Times Square. Take a leading role in rentals, classes, and trips for both beginners and seasoned paddlers from around the world, using sea kayaks, surf skis, sit-on-top kayaks, outrigger canoes, and stand up paddle boards.
Sea Kayak Guide!
Responsibilities:
- Lead or assist river trips from 1 to 30 miles, based on experience
- Adapt float plans based on tides, weather, marine traffic, and hazards
- Teach paddling and safety essentials on land and water
- Check in, outfit, launch, and land paddlers
- Set up and care for boats and gear
Required Skills:
- Strong, outgoing communicator who can confidently engage, entertain, and captivate large groups
- Empathy for recognizing and responding to people’s needs, whether they require encouragement, patience, or a different approach
- Prior on-water guiding experience with strong paddling skills
- Able to lift and carry kayaks and SUPs up to 95 lbs with assistance, and perform physical tasks like towing, rescuing, and launching/landing boats
Nice to Have:
- Knowledge of NYC waterways
- CPR and First Aid certifications
- ACA or BCU paddling certifications
Schedule:
- Part-time including weekends from May to October, with potential to guide year-round if enthusiastic and willing to purchase a dry suit for the off-season
- We run a paid 30-day screening period, which includes reference checks and on-water evaluations. At the end of this period, a decision will be made on continued employment based on performance and fit.
- Hours vary based on our activity schedule and your availability. While we offer flexibility to work around your schedule, weekend availability is required.
Pay and Benefits:
- $17 per hour for entry-level to $30 for seasoned experts
- 100% of gratuities for all activities you participate in
Customer Service Representative!
Responsibilities:
- Answer visitor questions and respond to email, chat and phone inquiries
- Check in, outfit, launch, and land paddlers for rentals
- Present basic instructions on using paddles and kayaks/SUPs before launching
- Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the boathouse, including gear organization and light tidying
- Carry kayaks and boards up to 95 lbs up and down the gangway with assistance
Required Skills:
- Excellent English speaking and writing skills for clear communication with guests and responding to inquiries
- Calm under pressure and able to handle multiple tasks at once with a positive attitude
- Familiarity with Google Suite for daily computer tasks
- Able to lift and carry equipment as part of regular duties
Nice To Have:
- Experience in services, sales, hospitality, or fitness
- Familiarity with kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, rowing, swimming or similar sports that require full-body activity
Schedule:
- Part-time including weekends from May to October
- We run a paid 30-day screening period, which includes reference checks. At the end of this period, a decision will be made on continued employment based on performance and fit.
- Hours vary based on our activity schedule and your availability. Weekend availability is required.
Pay and Benefits
- $17 per hour for entry-level to $22 for seasoned experts
- 100% of gratuities for all activities you participate in
- 50% reimbursement of your paddling gear, dry suits, and external training costs
- Free personal kayak storage for your guide boat, with a commitment to regular guiding hours
- Have the best time of your life!