Joining Our Team-2026

Join our fun team and put your talents to work connecting people with great experiences on the river. We are hiring for part-time seasonal positions starting as early as May. To apply for a position, please click the link below to fill out an application as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted as applications are received. Deadline for applications is March 18th. Email [email protected] if you have questions or would like to submit a resume in addition to your application (not required). 

Successful Applicants must be available on Sunday, April 19th for our mandatory all-day Staff Training. 

 See below for job descriptions for currently available positions. 

• River Hand

• Bus & Trailer Driver

• Paddling Educator and Guide

• Customer Service Specialist

• RRC Internship for 14 yr olds (Saturdays or Sundays, June-August, scroll to bottom for more info; Click Here to Apply for Internship Only)

Position: River Hand

• River Hands are generally high school and college students spending their summer as a core part of our team. They work hard, gain new skills and knowledge, and have a lot of fun working together.
• Availability for work on Saturdays and Sundays is an essential part of the position.
• Weekly hours will vary depending on staffing and candidate preference, usually between 16 and 40 hours per week.
• Employees must:
  • Be able to lift 85 lbs.
  • Be 15 yrs or older
  • Be comfortable working outdoors all day in the heat of the summer
  • Have a friendly demeanor and a genuine interest in customer happiness.

• Responsibilities include:
  • Loading and unloading kayaks, canoes, SUPS and tubes onto vehicles and trailers, and bringing them to and from the river. This is physically demanding work
  • Staying engaged during moments of downtime by self-starting on tasks such as cleaning vehicles, cleaning and repairing boats, running business-related errands, etc.
  • Giving trip safety briefings to customers, and helping launch them on river.

• For candidates with little to no prior work experience, starting compensation is $10/hr for a training period of the first 90 days of employment. After this period, compensation goes to $12.95/hour. For candidates with some significant work experience, starting pay is $12.95/hr. Team members also enjoy free use of RRC boats and equipment.

• Employees who will thrive in this role will identify with the following qualities:
  • Likes interacting with and helping people from all walks of life.
  • Can lift 85 lbs and enjoys physically demanding work (ie not afraid to sweat)
  • Has the presence of mind to independently exercise good judgment in a variety of situations
  • Has an easy-going nature that will help them approach challenges and stress with grace and humor
  • Prior experience with customer service, outdoor recreation, and/or wildlife and nature appreciation will be helpful

Position: Bus & Trailer Driver

• Weekly schedule for this position will vary depending on candidate availability. We encourage anyone qualified to apply. We will have shifts available for anywhere from 8 to 40 hours per week.
• Availability for work on Saturdays and Sundays is an essential part of the position.
• Candidate must:
  • Be over the age of 24,
  • Have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record,
  • Be able to lift 85 lbs.
    
  • Ideally will have experience towing trailers (some training will be provided)
  • Have a friendly demeanor and a genuine interest in customer happiness.

• Responsibilities include:

• • Driving a 14-passenger bus with a kayak trailer in tow.
  • Backing up the trailers at various river access sites
  • Helping to load and unload kayaks, canoes, SUPs and tubes onto vehicles and trailers, and bringing them to and from the river. 
  • Most drivers will learn to give trip safety briefings to customers, and help launch them on river. 
• Starting compensation is $18-$22 per hour (commensurate with applicable experience), plus free use of RRC boats and equipment, and access to discount purchasing of outdoor products.

• The person who will thrive in this role….

• • Can lift 85 lbs and enjoys physically demanding work (ie not afraid to sweat)
  • Can drive a small bus towing a trailer (in forward and reverse)
  • Likes interacting with and helping people from all walks of life
  • Has the presence of mind to independently exercise good judgment in a variety of situations
  • Has an easy-going nature that will help them approach the challenges and stress with grace and humor
  • Prior experience with customer service, outdoor recreation, wildlife and nature appreciation, or large vehicle operation will be helpful.

Position: Customer Service and Logistics Coordinator

• • Availability for work on Saturdays and Sundays is an essential part of the position
  • Starting Compensation is $16-$19/ hour commensurate with experience, plus free use of our boats and equipment, and access to discount purchasing of outdoor products through pro deals.
  • Weekly hours will vary, between 20 and 40 hrs.

• Candidate must:

• • Be over the age of 18
  • Be able to lift 60 lbs. and help customers with boat loading and unloading.
  • Have exceptional organizational skills and a mind for complicated logistics
  • Have a friendly demeanor and a genuine interest in customer happiness
  • Excellent computer and conversational skills on the phone and in person

• Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
  • A strong understanding of all Rivanna River Company services
  • Greeting customers, answering questions, completing paperwork, collecting payments, and fitting gear for customers
  • Answering phone calls, taking reservations, and answering more questions
  • Learning to navigate our online booking and payment system
  • Updating other staff members on trip details and changes
  • Staying engaged during moments of downtime by self-starting on tasks such as cleaning and repairing boats, gear and vehicles, improving the grounds and structures on location, updating social media, and replying to emails.
  • Helping to load and unload kayaks, canoes, SUPS and tubes onto vehicles and trailers and to and from the river
• The candidate who will thrive in this role will identify with the following qualities:
  • Likes interacting with, helping, and teaching people from all walks of life
  • Loves being outside and has a deep respect for wildlife and nature
  • Has the presence of mind to independently exercise good judgment in a variety of situations
  • Has an easy-going nature that will help them approach challenges and stress with grace and humor
  • Is committed to taking their work very seriously and themselves much less seriously
  • Prior experience with customer service, outdoor recreation, wildlife and nature appreciation will be helpful.
  • Is available to work weekends and has a flexible schedule

Paddling Educator & Guide

• The Paddling Educator leads educational paddling programs for diverse clients, with a primary responsibility for youth programs. The Educator will foster enthusiasm for paddlesports and appreciation for nature and water resources while minimizing risks and teaching skills in a positive, encouraging manner. The Educator will work with groups from summer camps, youth clubs, scouting groups, schools, therapeutic recreation organizations, and others.
• The position is based in Charlottesville, Virginia and is part-time and seasonal. Candidates must be available to work a flexible schedule during the summer months (school teachers looking for a summer job are encouraged to apply). Weekly hours will vary but expect an average of 2 days per week of approximately 4-6 hour shifts. For 2 weeks in June, the position is 5 days a week, 7 hours per day.
• Successful candidates will have:
  • Significant experience teaching or instructing
  • Significant experience working with kids
  • Significant personal and/or professional experience with and enthusiasm for paddlesports
• Candidate must:
  • Be over the age of 22
  • Have a valid driver’s license.
  • Have earned a Bachelor’s or higher degree.
  • Be able to lift kayaks and canoes.
  • Has or can immediately obtain First Aid and CPR certification
• Compensation is $18-$22/ hr. commensurate with experience, plus free use of our boats and equipment (when available, year round), and access to discount purchasing of outdoor products through pro deals.
• Close training with RRC senior staff will precede independent responsibility in this dynamic and interesting role.
• Responsibilities include:
  • Supervising assistant instructors and cultivating their skills.
  • Driving a small bus with a trailer loaded with watercraft.
  • Loading and unloading kayaks, canoes, and SUPS onto vehicles and trailers, and bringing them to and from the water. This is physically demanding work.
  • Greeting groups, commanding attention, giving clear instruction and making an impression in a sometimes boisterous environment.
  • Assessing risk and managing group dynamics with safety in mind.
  • Continually adjusting instructional methods to match group and individual needs.
  • Teaching basic kayaking and canoeing on flatwater and river (Class I-II).
  • Teaching basic naturalist skills and watershed science. A background and/or strong interest in wildlife, nature, ecology, and biology will be considered, though technical expertise is not required for the position.

• The candidate who will thrive in this role will identify with the following qualities:
  • Likes interacting with and helping people from all walks of life.
  • Can lift canoes and kayaks and enjoys physically demanding work (ie not afraid to sweat)
  • Has the presence of mind to independently exercise good judgment in a variety of situations
  • Has an easy-going nature that will help them approach challenges and stress with grace and humor
  • Certifications in paddling instruction, wilderness first aid, and lifeguarding, will be considered in hiring decisions.