JOB DESCRIPTION: BACKCOUNTRY GUIDE
POSITION TITLE: Backcountry Guide
REPORTS TO: Evergreen Backcountry Guides Director
DEPARTMENT: Evergreen Backcountry Guides (EBG)
POSITION SUMMARY:
Evergreen Backcountry Guides (EBG) is based in Hakuba valley, in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan.
Guides will be expected to become proficient with all aspects of our local tours in the Hakuba valley and will work within the framework of our backcountry tour operations.
Off-piste guiding will lead guests into lift-accessed terrain when alpine conditions are not conducive to skiing in backcountry areas. (Avalanche Danger, deep snow, and guide rostering dependent) EBG will work in conjunction with Evergreen Alpine Academy (EAA) Off-piste instructors, that are tasked with teaching low-level clients to ski off groomed terrain.
The applicant will have experience with professional standards in mechanized or touring accessed guided tours. Experience in managing trip logistics; creating ascent and descent routes, allowing the guests to be picked up, and returned within the framework of acceptable times.
The applicant will possess the ability to anticipate and cater to guests' needs and abilities in the field. Ultimately, balancing a focus on finding safe, yet fun, and satisfying terrain for that particular day and area. Our guides are responsible for the safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment of guests out on backcountry & off-piste tours.
POSITION DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Guides will be expected:
- Possess solid organizational skills and have effective communication skills
- To participate in the company required in-house and in-the-field training.
- To do a “Pre-Tour Meeting” with our guests to do a meet and greet.
- To quickly establish professional relationships and gain the confidence of guests.
- Determine if guests’ abilities and expectations meet their stated sign-up data
- To explain the next day’s schedule, cover personal items and gear to bring, cover possible tour locations, distribute, set up rental equipment/gear, and attend to any questions guests may have.
- Guides may also be asked to assist in teaching “Avalanche Skills Training” AST 1 & 2 courses within the EBG organization and be competent in teaching avalanche rescue skills to guests.
- Guides will be expected to potentially “mentor” trainee guides or new EBG guides to teach them terrain, tour flow, tour locations, tour, and guest management, as well as tail guide practices.
- Guides should have extensive backcountry ski/board touring experience, route-finding skills, thorough weather analysis skills, snowpack data and snow stability evaluation skills, strong leadership and communication skills, wilderness First Aid skills, avalanche rescue skills, and winter rescue training.
- Guides will demonstrate excellent note-taking ability and have the ability to provide clear data for job-related logs, SWAG, or related reports and will be expected to be complete when required; trip plan forms, rental equipment forms, vehicle accident report forms, emergency /accident /injury report forms.
- Guides will be expected to follow our duty of care to our guests from tour start to tour end.
- Guides will be expected to provide first aid, rescue action, rescue leadership, rescue communications, rescue/evacuation plans and strategy, and total group care while on the tour.
- Guides will also be expected to respond to 3rd party or other parties’ emergencies/rescues/accidents if assistance is available, feasible, and does not compromise the safety/care of our guests.
- Guides will be expected to have and carry their company cell phone and radio on their person during all tours and to be reachable after office hours. A GPS device is also a great addition, but not mandatory.
- Guides will be expected to follow Japanese road and driving laws, drive defensively, change tires (if flat tires w/ spare), and park company vehicles in appropriate areas.
JOB DUTIES MAY ALSO INCLUDE:
Snow clearing, tidying up front and back of office space, replacing and or fixing rental gear and equipment, assisting with staff accommodation and personal room clean-up /maintenance, picking up and dropping off guests at locations within Hakuba/Nagano, and replying to emails. Leading the occasional full or half-day snowshoe tour, (if the early or late season or due to lack of snowshoe guides)
ADDITIONAL DUTIES:
Due to the many variables that affect business operations, occasionally, employees may be asked to perform other duties or assist in efforts outside their primary area of responsibility, when admin staff deems it necessary. This may include performing in any subordinate position
SUPERVISORY DUTIES: Supervise new staff or new guides with daily operations and provide training to new staff or new guides. (From AM meeting to day’s end) Rental set up training, rope rescue training, avalanche rescue training, weather analysis training, snowpack observations, and snow testing training
GENERAL DUTIES:
DAILY:
- Attend AM and PM Guide meetings and be able to understand and record pertinent data in their logbooks. Potential to record and provide weather and snow data to AM guides meetings.
- Check to see if vehicles need to have snow/ice cleaned from the exterior, and be sure to clean trash from the interior.
- Prepare personal, and guest gear in a timely manner.
- Prepare and file /submit a daily trip plan form
- Potential to lead or assist snowshoe tours.
- Guides will be expected to take snowpack and terrain data while out in the field and report findings to our guiding team
- Conduct and oversee backcountry safety briefings for new guests.
- Plan, adjust, and maintain group management and guest safety from tour start to end.
- Find safe, yet fun and satisfying terrain, for that particular day and area.
- To deliver an amazing guest experience through fun, enjoyable and memorable Snowsports lessons.
- To be passionate about our guests, and about the experiences that we provide.
- To upsell lessons and courses to guests, depending on the guest's needs.
- To liaise with other departments on day-to-day issues to ensure that all guest's needs are fulfilled.
- To ensure that all guests are aware of and adhere to the mountainside Protocols.
- To report any equipment defects, faults, or breakdowns to the relevant department/manager
- To adhere to Health and Safety procedures
- To provide relevant First Aid should it be required.
- Complete paperwork required
- Provide reports, course results, and pictures updates to social media, marketing, or line manager when needed or demanded
- Assist with guest complaints, general incidents, accidents, and troubleshooting
- Resolve member/ guest problems in an efficient, courteous, and consistent manner in relation to the operational procedure and company policy
- To always demonstrate sound judgment and consideration for athlete/guest safety
- Guides will also assist with setting up rental equipment (touring skis and split-boards), resetting rental equipment
- Check vehicle's gas levels and refuel. Return receipt to the office for accounting.
WEEKLY:
- Monitor rental gear for maintenance, repair, or retiring.
- Follow staff housing/accommodation cleaning rosters and attend meetings for guides/staff housing.
- Provide reports, course results, and pictures updates to social media, marketing, or line manager when needed or demanded
- Coordinate bookings and registrations with the administration team.
- Maintain inventory records of all related program equipment (course material, radios, video cameras, tool kits, etc.)
- AM/PM Weather Plot data recording, and sharing, maybe part of the mentorship program for candidates for aspiring guides during the winter season
- Guides will be expected to check and refill if needed: for oil levels and windshield wiper fluid and let their manager know if EBG vehicles have any mechanical issues.
MONTHLY:
- Attend company meetings
- Participate in evening skills training
- Assist with Special Events, and other departments when required
- To research and provide advice on teaching styles and to contribute to the development of coaching knowledge (snowboard instructor curriculum and coaching course content)
- Encourage high employee morale and loyalty
SEASONAL:
- Attend company pre-season company onboarding.
- Receive and return any EBG ID cards, Season passes, radios, cell phone & chargers, maps, EBG uniforms
- Participate in end of contract evaluation and or end-of-season wrap-ups
PREREQUISITES:
- Professional Avalanche Operations Course (CAA Level 2)
- Ski Guide Certification (IFMGA, ACMGA, CSGA, etc)
- Ski or Snowboard Instructor Certification (CSIA/CASI, etc)
- Wilderness First Aid: 80-hours Course and Valid
- International Drive licenses
- Experience in mechanized ski-splitboard guiding
- Expert level skiing/snowboarding
- Map/Compass/GPS usage & Route finding skills
FAVORABLE QUALIFICATIONS: (not pre-requisites but valuable assets/experience):
Other Outdoor Guide/Instructor/ Leader Certification
Mechanized Ski/Split-board Guiding experience/internship/training or non-mechanized Ski/Split-board Guiding experience/internship/ trainings
Ski Patrol Experience
Avalanche mitigation/control/training education experience
POSITION COMPETENCIES:
The following competencies may be demonstrated in this position, among others:
Analytical - Synthesizing diverse information, using intuition and experience to complement data. Demonstrating attention to detail.
Problem Solving - Identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner. Gathering and analyzing information skillfully. Using reason even when dealing with emotional topics
Customer Service - Managing difficult or emotional customer situations. Responding promptly to customer needs. Responding to requests for service and assistance.
Interpersonal Skills - Focusing on solving conflict, not blaming. Maintaining confidentiality Listening to others without interrupting. Keeping emotions under control
Oral Communication - Speaking clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations Listening and getting clarification. Responding well to questions. Demonstrating group presentation skills. Participating in meetings
Organizational Support - Following policies and procedures. Supporting Evergreen goals and values
Judgment - Exhibiting sound and accurate judgment
Planning/ Organizing - Prioritizing and planning work activities. Using time efficiently
Professionalism - Approaching others in a tactful manner. Reacting well under pressure Treating others with respect and consideration, regardless of their status or position. Accepting responsibility for own actions
Quality/ Quantity - Demonstrating accuracy and thoroughness. Monitoring own work to ensure quality. Completing work in a timely manner
Safety and Security - Observing safety and security procedures. Determining appropriate action beyond guidelines. Reporting potentially unsafe conditions. Using equipment and materials properly
Adaptability - Adapting to changes in the work environment. Ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
Dependability - Is consistently at work and on time. Following instructions responds to management direction. Taking responsibility for own actions. Committing to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Attending required staff meetings
Initiative - Volunteering readily; asking for and offering help when needed
Additional tasks not enumerated in this job description may be assigned. Reasonable requests by Management are considered valid job assignments.
