DOCK & RIVER CREW
🌿 Job Title: Dock & River Crew (Guest Experience + Operations)
Location: Lakeshore (Discovery World) + Milwaukee area river locations (including Brown Deer, Thiensville, and surrounding access points)
Position Type: Part-time, Seasonal
Pay: $16/hour
Schedule: 2–4 shifts per week (May–September 2026)
Availability: Must be able to work weekends and holidays
🌊 About Forward Outdoor
Forward Outdoor provides easy, accessible outdoor experiences in the Milwaukee area, from self-guided river trips to lakeshore rentals. We focus on removing barriers so more people can enjoy time outside, connect with nature, and feel at home in the outdoors.
🚣 About the Role
We’re looking for reliable, positive, and customer-focused team members to support our Lakeshore rentals and river trip experiences.
This is a hands-on, active role that blends guest experience and outdoor operations. You’ll help create smooth, welcoming experiences for customers—whether that’s assisting with rentals at our Lakeshore location or supporting self-guided kayak trips on the river.
You’ll be trained to work across both locations and as part of a small, collaborative team.
🔧 Key Responsibilities
- Welcome and assist customers with a positive, approachable attitude
- Support kayak, SUP, paddle boat, and hydrobike rentals
- Fit life jackets and provide clear, simple safety instructions
- Launch and receive boats from docks and shorelines
- Load, unload, and organize kayaks, paddles, and gear
- Assist with river trip logistics as part of a two-person team
- Help ensure smooth daily operations and trip flow
- Maintain clean, organized equipment, dock areas, and launch sites
- Support customers entering and exiting boats (training provided)
- Act as a positive ambassador for Forward Outdoor
💪 Requirements
- Ability to lift and move up to 85 pounds repeatedly throughout a shift
- Comfortable working outdoors in changing weather and around water
- Strong communication skills and customer-first mindset
- Reliable, punctual, and team-oriented
- Willingness to work weekends and peak summer events
- Reliable transportation to access assigned work locations (Lakeshore and/or river sites)
🚐 Location + Transportation Notes
- This role may include shifts at both our Lakeshore and river locations
- There is no dedicated employee parking at the Lakeshore location (Discovery World)
- Staff should plan to bike, walk, or use public transit when possible
- River trip shifts may require travel to various launch points
🛟 Safety & Training
- No prior paddling experience required—training will be provided
- First Aid training is required and will be provided if needed
- Staff are trained to support customer safety and respond appropriately to on-the-water situations
🌟 Preferred (but not required)
- Interest in kayaking or outdoor recreation
- Previous customer service or outdoor work experience
💬 How to Apply
Email elizabeth@forwardoutdoor.com with:
- A brief description of your background and experience
- Why you’re interested in the role
- Resume (optional)
Subject line: Dock & River Crew
