USCG - Zodiac Driver Experience Leader

The Zodiac Experience Leader is the senior operational and guest-experience leader for the Land & Sea zodiac team deployed aboard M/Y Luminara. This role carries full supervisory responsibility for all Zodiac Experience Guides and serves as the primary liaison between Land & Sea's expedition operations and RCYC's onboard leadership — setting the standard for safety, service, and interpretive excellence across Alaska's most spectacular wilderness.Scope of Work & ResponsibilitiesTeam Leadership & Coordination

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate all Zodiac Experience Guides throughout the contracted season, fostering a high-performance team culture grounded in safety, professionalism, and guest-first service.
• Plan and coordinate the daily zodiac operations schedule in collaboration with the Expedition Leader and RCYC's onboard team — including the Captain, Hotel Manager, Destinations Manager, and Entertainment Director.
• Lead daily guide meetings, pre-excursion briefings, and post-excursion debriefs to ensure alignment on logistics, safety protocols, guest feedback, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between Land & Sea's zodiac team and RCYC's expedition and hotel departments.
• Conduct on-water performance evaluations and provide real-time coaching to guides on zodiac handling, guest engagement, emergency procedures, and interpretive delivery.
• Manage guide scheduling, time-off requests, and ensure adequate coverage for all planned and contingency operations.
• Address team conflicts, performance issues, and disciplinary matters in coordination with Land & Sea management.

Zodiac Operations & Safety

• Serve as the lead zodiac operator for all zodiac-based excursions, maintaining the highest standards of maritime safety and risk management.
• Make real-time operational decisions regarding weather holds, route changes, excursion modifications, and emergency responses.
• Maintain oversight of the cleanliness, maintenance, and operational readiness of all zodiacs, expedition tools, and gear.
• Ensure full compliance with USCG regulations, Land & Sea safety protocols, and RCYC operational standards.

Briefings, Recaps & Presentations

• Lead or co-lead post-excursion "Daily Discoveries" sessions with clear, engaging, and polished narration aligned with RCYC standards.
• Develop and deliver a minimum of two researched presentations (30–45 minutes each) on topics relevant to the voyage; coordinate the full presentation schedule across the guide team.
• Review and provide feedback on guides' presentations prior to delivery.
• Participate in port talks, enrichment programming, and other onboard educational content as needed.

Interpretation & Science Programming

• Oversee and participate in the hands-on science and microscope interpretation program, ensuring it is consistently staffed, engaging, and educational for guests of all ages.
• Set the standard for interpretive excellence across all guide interactions — in the field, on the water, on deck, and aboard the vessel.
• Curate and maintain educational materials, field guides, maps, charts, and science equipment.

Guest Experience & RCYC Brand Standards

• Ensure all guides maintain a polished, expedition-ready appearance and a guest-focused demeanor consistent with RCYC brand standards.
• Monitor guest satisfaction related to expedition programming; proactively address concerns and implement improvements.
• Follow all dining etiquette protocols; dine with guests on non-expedition days when invited.
• Enforce the alcohol policy across the guide team: permitted only at dinner or cocktail hour; BAC must never exceed 0.08; no alcohol within eight hours of a scheduled shift.

Teamwork, Conduct & Stewardship

• Model and enforce professional conduct, positive attitude, and a collaborative team spirit among all guides.
• Act as a steward of the natural world — ensure the entire team follows Land & Sea's sustainability practices and Leave No Trace principles.
• Adhere to and enforce all company policies as outlined in Land & Sea employee manuals and RCYC operational guidelines.
• Provide regular performance updates and end-of-season evaluations to Land & Sea management.
• Perform any additional responsibilities as requested by management.

Qualifications

Required

• U.S. citizen, at least 21 years of age.
• Valid Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with a minimum 25-ton USCG Captain's License.
• Valid STCW certification (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping).
• Valid First Aid/CPR or Wilderness First Responder certification (current).
• Minimum 3 years of zodiac guide experience, including at least 1 year in a lead or supervisory role.
• Minimum 3 years of professional naturalist experience and/or leading small groups on the water in an expedition or ecotourism setting.
• Demonstrated maritime experience in Southeast Alaska or comparable expedition environments.
• Excellent verbal communication and public speaking skills; fluent in English.
• Proven experience in guest services, group leadership, team management, and oral presentations to large groups.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and conflict resolution skills; ability to manage a team in a live-aboard environment.
• Physically fit: able to work long hours, lift/carry/push/pull zodiacs and objects up to 50 lbs repeatedly.
• Excellent judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving skills under pressure.
• Must pass pre-employment background check, drug test, and physical as required by USCG and Land & Sea policy.

Preferred

• Small cruise ship or luxury yacht experience in a team lead or expedition leader capacity.
• Academic or professional background in natural science, Alaskan history, environmental education, wildlife, marine biology, or a conservation-related field.
• Experience with microscope interpretation, marine biology education, or hands-on science programming.
• Prior experience coordinating activity deployments aboard expedition or luxury vessels.

Working Conditions

This is a live-aboard, seasonal position. Work is performed in a marine environment — both indoors and outdoors — with exposure to varying temperatures, weather, and moderate to loud noise levels. Team members live and work onboard M/Y Luminara for consecutive port-to-port voyages.

RCYC Brand Immersion

The Zodiac Experience Leader will participate in and help facilitate Land & Sea's RCYC brand immersion session covering service philosophy, guest interaction standards, brand tone, and operational protocols specific to the Luminara. The Leader is responsible for reinforcing these principles with the guide team throughout the season.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Land & Sea is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.