Job Description
We hire all of our employees to be Cavern Tour Guides, but guiding tours is only one of our team members' responsibilities! Everyone will need to conduct walking tours of our cavern, operate our point-of-sale system in the gift shop, answer visitor questions, clean bathrooms, stock merchandise, and ensure a safe and clean environment for our visitors.
You do not need prior knowledge of caverns; however, you will need to be comfortable speaking in front of tour guests. These tours may have as few as five guests or as many as 45. Tours last approximately 50 minutes. We will train you on our specific cavern features. You will also learn general cave information. We don’t give you a script but rather enough knowledge for you to “perform” a unique tour experience for each guest. We have had guides come in who were nervous about speaking but gained confidence in public speaking through this job. The great news is: the cave speaks for itself. You will be there to point out outstanding features, provide some background information, answer visitor questions, and ensure the guests' safety and the protection of the cave.
When you are not giving a tour, you may be running the cash register, greeting guests, helping direct traffic in the parking area, cleaning, or restocking. While doing that, you may be answering questions regarding the cavern and tours or the general area. We strive to be an excellent resource for our guests, whether they take a tour or not. Take time to learn about the area.
Other job duties include cleaning up the trail, picnic area, and parking lot. We are stewards of the land, and it is a beautiful area. We must work to keep it clean of all litter. We also clear the trail of debris, small rocks, and leaves for our guests.
Everyone takes turns cleaning the restrooms. Boyden is located in a National Forest, so the restrooms are primitive pit toilets. We clean the outside of the toilet, the handrails and toilet paper dispenser, all handles, walls, and sweep and mop the floors.
Pay, Housing, Uniform, Hours
Pay
Guides start at $16-17/hour for 2024. Guides also make tips and often make at least $20 extra in a day, and often much more. We review all new guides for a potential raise by the 4th of July. Any returning guides will receive a raise for each subsequent returning season. As a seasonal employer, we don’t offer vacation, health insurance, retirement, etc. However we are able to work with guides for any vacations, backpacking, visiting family, etc. You will accrue sick time each pay period. Our guides are the best part of Boyden, and we try to treat them that way. If you want to connect with a current/returning guide to get info on what it’s like to work for us, just let us know!
Housing
Staff housing is available. It is very primitive. There are a limited number of bedrooms and sleeping areas available, so depending on how many staff choose to live on-site, you may have to share a room. Some people choose to sleep in a tent most of the summer because it is cooler. That staff house has a kitchen with almost everything you could need to cook except food. The fridge a limited space, so plan accordingly. Many times, staff will share cooking duties and meal times.
The electricity is supplied by a generator that can be run between 7 am and 10 am and 4 pm and 9 pm. Outside of that time, there is no electricity at the staff house. You can charge 1-2 devices at the cavern gift shop while you work if needed.
Water supplied to the staff house is non-potable (not for drinking). We provide a LifeStraw Community Water Filtration system for drinking water. To have drinking water through this method, all staff using it are responsible for filling the upper reservoir. Some guides prefer to buy their water by the gallon and keep it in their room. There is no running water at the cave, so guides must bring or purchase drinking water for work.
Wifi is available at the staff house, but only during limited times and for checking email, basic web browsing, sending messages, etc. It is satellite internet and cannot download or stream movies, tv shows, music, etc. The closest cell signal is at Grant Grove, approx 30 minutes drive time, and is Verizon only. If you want music, tv, movies, please download them before you arrive/ on trips home.
Those living at the staff house are charged $1/day during employment, whether you are on-site or not. This charge covers house supplies like toilet paper, water, cleaning supplies, etc. Any damage above and beyond normal wear and tear will be assessed an individual fee. You can easily make more than the housing charge in tips for cave tours.
Since the staff housing is shared, everyone must work together to keep it clean. There will be monthly inspections by the owners or by a house manager. Failure to clean up after yourself in the staff house can be grounds for termination.
You must be over 18 to stay in the staff house.
Uniforms
Uniforms are required. We will supply your shirt; it is a tan button-down. Pants must be brown, green, or black (not jeans). Hiking/mountaineering style pants are best. Shoes must be hiking shoes or boots: no tennis shoes or fashion sneakers. The grip is essential on our trail and in the cavern. All guides must have a wristwatch (dumb watches preferred) and a small backup flashlight. Guides may wear Boyden hats. Hair should be well kept. Facial hair should be neat. All guides must maintain proper hygiene. If you have questions or are having issues with purchasing pants or shoes prior to starting, please let us know.
Hours and Season
Hours available are flexible. Most everyone will work the weekends. Absolutely everyone must be available on holiday weekends: Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Some staff can work full-time or close to full-time hours. Most guides will work 20-35 hours per week. Some people may prefer to work a bit less so that they can enjoy the area. We can work to give you a schedule that will allow you to hike, backpack, climb, and explore.
Shifts are dependent on tour schedules. In the main part of the season between Memorial Day and Labor Day, tours are offered every 30-60 minutes, between 10 am - 5 pm. A typical shift could be 9 am - 4 pm, 10 am - 6 pm, or 11 am - 7 pm with a half-hour unpaid lunch break. Our season runs from late April to Mid-November; most staff will work between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. We operate using a small number of guides after Labor Day. If you are a college student and classes start before Labor Day, we ask that you ensure you are available to come back for the Labor Day weekend.
How to apply
Applying is simple! Please send your resume to info@boydencavern.com.
In the body of the email, please include your responses to the following questions:
1. What experience do you have in public speaking? Tell me about anything you’ve done (school or work presentations, teaching, camp counselor getting 15 kids’ attention, etc.)
2. Do you enjoy camping? Are you able to live in a remote area without many modern conveniences?
3. Are you available from April 30 – November 15th? List any periods or days you would not be available.
4. What are your hobbies? (Especially any relating to the outdoors) Please tell me what you like to do in a few sentences.
5. Do you have any experience running a cash register?
6. Do you have a reliable car? This is a must for those working, as you will need to get yourself to town for your supplies. The cavern is within walking distance of the staff house, but it is not on a very walking-friendly road, and many staff drive or carpool to work.
7. Are you over 18?
We will schedule in person or phone interviews to qualified candidates.