Higher Pursuits Employment Opportunities
At Higher Pursuits we have two basic employment opportunities, drivers and boat movers. From time to time we do bring in guides or instructors but do not offer guide only positions. All of our jobs are seasonal in nature, typically April to October, and are part time jobs. Our work schedule is also dependent on the weather, if we are unable to open due to weather or water conditions, we do not bring in staff.
Expectations
We expect all staff to work toward the common goal of providing great customer service. We strive to create a positive customer experience, launch groups efficiently and pick them up quickly. As a staff we also take care of the kayaks, canoes and equipment we rent our customers.
As a staff we work together to move kayaks, canoes, and boats for customers. We encourage staff to work as a team to move boats. You should be able to team lift and move up to 90 lbs. Meaning that two people should be able to lift and move a 90 lbs boat together. In the afternoon, as boats return to the canoe base all staff work to clean and inspect equipment before it is put away.
Our facility is not climate controlled. We work in the cooler temperatures of the spring and fall and the heat and rain of the summer. The staff need to be prepared to work throughout those seasonal changes.
We are a small team so it is important that staff show up for their scheduled day, on time and ready to work. This means you are well fed, rested and alert.
Job Descriptions
Driver Employment Opportunities
Higher Pursuits operates three different styles of vehicles: large truck, 15 passenger van, and small bus. Some drivers are able to drive all three types of vehicles others can only drive one type of vehicle. All drivers must be problem solvers as well as able to interact with a wide spectrum of customer types – friendly, wonderful, tipsy, irritated, foul mouthed, etc. It is important for drivers to maintain a clean driving record. We expect all our drivers to drive at or below the posted speed limits at all times. It also important for all staff to maintain a professional attitude when interacting with customers or other staff members. Drivers will also clean boats, clean equipment, clean vans, repair equipment, and in general help ensure the canoe base is clean and well maintained.
Truck Driver
The truck driver operates a Crew Cab Long Bed Pick up truck. This vehicle normally does not pull a trailer. The driver and boat mover typically load boats into the bed of the truck, drive to the put-in, unload the boats at the water and then carry the boats to the waters edge. At times, the truck driver will need to drive by themselves if there is not enough room for a boat mover to accompany them. They must be able to team lift up to 90 lbs. They are also responsible for managing their boat mover. Finally, they are responsible for ensuring that all boats and equipment are secure. Truck Drivers begin at $11 per hour and get an annual raise for each year you work for us.
Van Driver
Van Drivers must be able to drive a 15 passenger van with a 10 haul canoe trailer loaded with boats. They must be able to back up the trailer in difficult, space restricted areas. The Van Driver and their boat mover should be able to team lift up to 90 lbs and are also responsible for managing their boat mover. Finally, the van drive is responsible for ensuring that all boats and equipment are secure. Van Drivers start at $13 per hour with a $1 per hour increase if you can also drive the bus. Van Drivers get an annual raise for each year you work for us.
Bus Driver
The bus driver operates a 15 passenger small bus to move customers from the canoe base to boat ramp or the boat ramp back to the canoe base. The Bus Driver must have an “F” (Driver for Hire) endorsement on their driver license. They must be able to back up the bus in difficult, space restricted areas. Our Bus Drivers also assist customers with getting on and off the bus as well as unloading equipment transported in the bus. They will also assist with loading and unloading of boats and equipment. Bus Drivers start at $13 per hour and get an annual raise for each year you work for us.
Drivers who are licensed and able to drive all three vehicle types start at $13 per hour. You will also receive an annual raise for each year you work for us.
Boat Mover Employment Opportunities
Boat Movers are typically paired with a driver. They are responsible for assisting with the loading and unloading of boats and paddles. The boat mover will open and close the van doors for customers, assist customers with loading their equipment, and ensure that all tie down straps are off the trailer after the trailer is unloaded. Boat movers will also clean boats, clean equipment, clean vans, repair equipment, and in general help ensure the canoe base is clean and well maintained.
The starting pay for Boats Movers is $8 per hour if they are 14 to 15 years old and $9 per hour if they are 16 years old or older. They will also receive an annual raise for each year they work with us.
The minimum age to work at Higher Pursuits is 14 years old. If you are 14 years old or 15 years old you are limited to an 8 hour work day in accordance with the Tennessee Child Labor Laws as well as a limit of 40 hours per week. Staff that are 16 years of age may work a longer work day, but do have restrictions on school days.
Hiring Process
If you are applying for a position at Higher Pursuits, complete the Employment Application. If you are over 18 years of age complete the Permission to Run a Background Check Form. Email those forms to HigherPursuits@aol.com. Once we receive your application we will contact you to let you know if we still have open positions. If we are still hiring we will schedule an interview. We typically start hiring for the summer starting in February and normally try to have our staff set by mid April. You are welcome to contact us any time of year, sometimes we have openings that had not anticipated.
If we decide that you might be a good fit for Higher Pursuits, we will schedule a Job Trial day. This will let the work candidate see how things operate at Higher Pursuits and let us determine if you will be a good fit for our team.
We look forward to hearing from you and feel free to call us at 931-840-8575 if you have any questions or just send us an email to HigherPursuits@aol.com