Working for Tributary Whitewater Tours

Outdoor Summer Employment Opportunities

Calling all college students, experienced river guides, commercial drivers & outdoor enthusiasts! We are looking for people who are fun, safety conscious, team oriented, hard working, responsible, personable, and ready for challenges to add to our team. As our company continues to grow, we are actively recruiting new employees for many positions in California and Oregon.


Tributary Whitewater Tours holds more unique river permits than any other whitewater rafting outfitter in the Northwest. Operating on rivers in California, Oregon and Idaho – working for us doesn’t mean you will be stuck on the same river trip all summer long. No other company can offer this many amazing rivers to run and places to stay!

All inexperienced, first-year guides are required to attend Guide School and can begin guiding trips after they complete the course and are “checked off” by a senior river guide.

Whitewater Rafting Operations

We raft a variety of rivers on the west coast from Class II to Class IV rapids and from 1/2 day trips to multi-day camp and raft trips. One of our primary locations is on the South Fork American River in Lotus, CA with a private riverside campground! In addition, we have an outpost at the Truckee River RV park for our Truckee Riveroperations, and a presence on the Trinity, Lower Klamath, North Yuba and many more rivers in California.  In Oregon, we raft from the spring through the fall on a wide range of rivers including the Owyhee RiverDeschutes RiverRogue River, and Hells Canyon on the Snake River

Available Positions for the 2025 Rafting Season

We are currently seeking ideal candidates for the following positions. Applying through our online form is our preferred method to receive job applications. Click “Apply Now” below to submit (this will take you to raftcalifornia.com). 

Please note you must provide legal documentation that you can work in the United States. 

If you do not have prior river guiding experience then please sign up for our River Guide School! First year guides start guiding river trips once they are “checked off” on that run by a senior river guide or manager.

White Water Raft Guide Job Description

Experienced River Guides can apply online if the following requirements are met:

  • min. 4 months commercial guiding experience
  • Current, in person, CPR & First Aid Certs (if expired up to date will be required before starting)

White Water Raft Guide Job Description

Requirements

  • Must possess a valid Commercial Drivers License with passenger endorsement at a minimum
  • Understand and agree to the required Drug/Alcohol tests (paid for by Tributary Whitewater Tours)

Shuttle Driver Job Description

Person or persons (couple to live on site) to greet and check in guests and clients

Why work for Tributary?

We believe that rafting trips bring out the best in people. We feel that people respond to the beauty and challenge of the river, and in doing so, discover the best in themselves. In this hectic world, it becomes even more important to “get away from it all”. Our trips can take you deep into the splendor of the forests and mountains, just like the tributaries of rivers.​

  • Best gear and equipment in the industry
  • Unique river permits in California & Oregon
  • Advanced digital scheduling, time card, and reservation portal
  • Family owned and operated for 40+ years
  •  Variety – one day and multi day excursions
  • Employee retirement plan & company match
  • Employee assistance program (financial, emotional anonymous support)
  • Most competent, mature, and friendly staff
  • Spacious guide living and accommodations
  • Competitive pay and advancement opportunities
  • Advanced Guide Training
  • Cool swag

Basic Requirements for ALL employees:

  • Legal status to work in the United States
  • Signed application and all forms (Including W4 and I9)

Still have questions?

Tributary Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provided in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

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