Employment FAQ's

Most Commonly Asked Questions

Listed below are the most commonly asked questions about working for Noah's Ark and the hiring process.  If you are thinking about applying, we encourage you to look over the information below to answer any questions you may have. 
If these don't answer your questions, send us an email and we'll be happy to address any other questions you have.

 		  


The Type of People We Hire

Our staff are the heart and soul of our organization.  Whether guiding or working behind the scenes, our employees strive to serve our guests with passion and excellence.  We believe our employees to be some of the best in the industry.  Attracted by our extensive training program, commitment to excellence in service, and investment in fostering community, our employees come to us from all across the country.  Our seasonal staff positions are highly competitive; we typically hire 20%-30% of the people who apply each summer.  We look for employees who are dedicated to serving out guests with excellence, who value relationships, are natural leaders, and who embody our core values.

Working for Noah's Ark is both rewarding and challenging.  Our summer season is packed, with adventures waiting around every corner.  As an organization, we strive to create a supportive and relationship-driven working environment.  We are committed to building into our employees and challenging them to grow in their leadership and skills.
Noahs Ark Staff_2426


What is the required time commitment?
Our season generally runs from May 12 - August 20.  Preference is given to applicants who are able to commit to the entire season.
We invest a significant amount of time and energy into training our guide staff.  Because of this and the need to maintain a strong leadership base, we require all of our guide staff to make a two summer commitment when they are hired.

Are housing and meals provided?
Housing and some meals are provided at a reasonable cost. The specific meal plan depends on which program you work for. While this arrangement is not required for our staff, the majority of our staff find it to be a great benefit and a rich addition to their overall summer experience.

What kind of experience is required for guide positions?
Our guide positions are physically demanding and lend themselves to an athletic personality. Regardless of an applicant’s experience level is, we require all of our guides to go through our Guide School, which offers extensive training in three disciplines that is hard to find anywhere else.

How long is guide training?
Guide School for first year guides is a minimum of 4 weeks. Second year guides undergo 2 ½ weeks of Guide School training.
What does guide training include?
Noah’s Ark Guide School includes three disciplines: river, mountains, and rocks. For river training, guides work on building a portfolio that meets Colorado state requirements for outfitters and river guides. Our guides receive training in swift water rescue, oar boats, and paddle boats. Mountains training prepares guides to lead backpacking trips 3-6 days in length. Training topics include Leave No Trace principles, stove operation, orienteering, judgment and decision-making, and mountain travel. In rocks training guides learn the basic principles of top rope site management, including anchor setup, belaying, rappelling, and rescue procedures. All of our guides are also required to be certified in CPR and at minimum a 40 hr. first aid course.

Will I have to pay for guide training?
Noah’s Ark charges a small fee for our Guide School, which helps to cover administrative and logistical costs involved with training. Guides are also responsible for the registration fees associated with their CPR and Wilderness Advanced First Aid course costs.

Is guide training part of the application process?
No. While employment officially begins after training, our guides are hired in the spring before training.

What does the office job involve?
Our office staff acts as the mouthpiece of Noah’s Ark. Qualifications include: a love for working with people, great phone and organizational skills, and an ability to multi-task.

What does the kitchen job involve?
“Food is the most primitive form of comfort.” Our kitchen staff provide this comfort every day by cooking for our guests and staff as well as packing food for our all day, overnight, and backpacking trips.
What does the land crew job involve?
Our land crew staff members are the ultimate behind-the-scenes servants here at Noah’s. From stocking the campground sites with firewood, to mowing, to construction projects; they help to keep our property clean and our programs running smoothly. We also hire one person on land crew to manage the equipment shed for backpacking and rock climbing trips. This person is responsible for packing equipment for all backpack/rock climbing trips and for equipment repair and upkeep.

When are final hiring decisions made?
Our application process starts on December 1, and final decisions are typically made in early March.

Do you have any full-time, year-round positions available?
While we are not currently hiring for year-round positions, we welcome résumés at any time. We will keep these on file in the event that a full time position opens up.

I have to do an internship for my major. Do you have any positions available?
We have a few internship positions available on a case-by-case basis. Our guide positions can be serve as an internship. We have other positions as needed in areas such as videography, database programming, and administration. If you are interested in an internship, you can send an email to amy@noahsark.com

Who would I talk to about applying as a bus driver?
If you are interested in applying for a bus driver position, please send an email to micah@noahsark.com