Work With Us
Work With Us
Caving Guide / Instructor
If you’re the kind of person who stays calm under pressure, loves the outdoors in all seasons, and gets real satisfaction from helping others do something they’ll remember for life—this role might be for you.
As a Caving Guide/Instructor, you’ll lead small groups (up to 8 guests) on our interpretive tours in and around Rat’s Nest Cave - a Wild cave near Canmore, Alberta. You’ll combine technical competence with great group management—creating a safe, inspiring, well-run experience from start to finish.
Reports to: Senior Caving Guide/Instructor or Lead Caving Guide/Instructor
What You’ll Do
Guiding & Instruction
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Lead groups of up to eight (8) guests on Explorer and/or Adventure Tours (as approved by management).
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Deliver high-quality, safe, guest-focused cave experiences.
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Educate and empower visitors through interpretation—helping guests understand cave environments, stewardship, and the sport of caving.
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Promote and represent Canmore Caverns Ltd. in a professional, positive way—both in the field and around the community.
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Provide guidance and supervision to the public in Rat’s Nest Cave (customers and non-customers, when required).
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Support and participate in rescue operations as directed by supervisors.
Preparation, Gear, and Operational Excellence
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Prepare, inspect, clean, and maintain company equipment according to the training manual.
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Contribute to smooth daily operations: pre-trip readiness, post-trip clean-up, and keeping systems organized and consistent.
Office Support (as needed)
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Assist with front-of-house tasks, including:
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Keeping the office space clean and guest-ready (as instructed by the Office Manager)
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Supporting guests using the cash machine and POS system
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Organizing and maintaining office/company equipment
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Maintenance & Stewardship
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Support ongoing trail maintenance and cave maintenance to help protect the resource and improve the guest experience.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for guides who are technically capable, safety-minded, and genuinely enjoy working with people. You should be comfortable teaching, supporting nervous guests, and maintaining a professional presence in challenging environments.
Required Qualifications
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Wilderness First Aid valid through the contracted guiding period:
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40-hour or 80-hour certification
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Group Management Certification (IGA, OCC, or equivalent)
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Valid driver’s license (Class 5 minimum) and reliable vehicle (licensed/insured for the full contracted period)
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Reliable cell phone
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Cave rescue workshop completed within the last 2 years (BCCR, ACRO, or equivalent)
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A suitable equivalent is available to staff during the guide training period
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Guide training completed within the 12 months prior to the end of the contracted guiding period
Working Conditions
This is a field-first role with real variety and real responsibility.
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Work up to five days per week, on shifts scheduled by the Office Manager
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Occasional availability outside normal hours may be required depending on operational needs
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Work in challenging conditions, including: inclement weather, confined spaces, darkness, cold and heat—while maintaining the health, safety, and experience of your client group
Physical Demands
Caving is physical—there’s no way around it. This role includes:
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Hiking in mountainous terrain
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Standing, crawling, stooping, and moving through uneven cave environments
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Supporting and assisting clients throughout the tour
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Manual labor related to equipment preparation, upkeep, and operational maintenance
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Participating in rescue response if required
What We Offer (Benefits & Support)
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Meaningful work: You’ll help people do something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.
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High standards + strong team culture: Safety, professionalism, and guest experience come first—always.
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Skill development: Ongoing learning in guiding, interpretation, group leadership, and cave operations.
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Training support: Access to a suitable rescue-workshop equivalent during the guide training period (as noted above).
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A one-of-a-kind workplace: Rat’s Nest Cave is not an office job—and that’s the point.
- Great Staff Perks: Gear, fam tours, pro deals, staff trips, bonuses and more.
Who Thrives Here
You’ll likely enjoy (and succeed in) this role if you:
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Take safety seriously and stay steady under pressure
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Communicate clearly and confidently with groups
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Enjoy teaching and adapting to different guest needs
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Can be warm and professional at the same time
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Respect caves as sensitive environments—and want to advocate for them
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Take pride in preparation, systems, and doing things the right way
Overview
A caving guide/instructor is primarily responsible for leading groups of up to 8 people on interpretive tours in and around Rat’s Nest Cave, in Canmore, Alberta and for all of the relevant preparation, clean-up, customer service, safety and rescue work involved with those tours.
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Position
Caving Guide/Instructor -
Location
Canmore, AB -
Employment
Full Time, June - Sept -
Compensation
$22-$26/hr
More than work.
You belong here.
Kathy Collins, Content Creator
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