Employment Opportunities!
Lace up for a life change! Exciting opportunities exist to live, work and play in World Heritage Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks, working for one of the most well-known guided walking companies in New Zealand.
Ultimate Hikes take great pride in providing walkers from all over the world with a unique insight into the magic of New Zealand's wilderness, whilst endeavouring to ensure its sustainability for the future. This is your opportunity to be a part of that vision. Each year over one hundred and twenty seasonal staff are employed to maintain the high standard of service for which the company is renowned.
Employment with Ultimate Hikes would ideally suit those looking for an environmental experience, whilst sharing this with our domestic and international guests. Seasonal employment is from late-October to late-April. Positions are categorised as either being on-track, or off-track (the majority of which are based in Queenstown). Expectations are high, but so are the rewards: remuneration is competitive and on-track employees are provided with accommodation and meals at a nominal cost. Where else can you be paid to work in an environment that is internationally recognised for its uniqueness!
If this extraordinary opportunity sounds like it could be for you, please read carefully through our summary of positions and apply online as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We look forward to receiving your application and wish you the best of luck in your quest to become part of the Ultimate Hikes team.
Multi-day Guides
Our guides are effectively the face of the company whilst out on the track and are the staff that our walkers get to know the best and trust. Guides are responsible for the safety, education and entertainment of our guests and are expected to act as ‘walking encyclopedias’ for our guests explaining the environment, flora and fauna. Being able to work as part of a team is essential and guides are expected to mix with guests in the evenings, whilst helping with the service provided at the lodges. Ideally we would like multilingual candidates, especially those who can speak Japanese. Guides receive a daily rate and are expected to be able to work up to 9 days consecutively. Accommodation and food are provided whilst working on the track and accommodation is provided at a nominal cost if required in between walks in Queenstown. All guides are expected to have a current first aid certificate.
Day Walk Guides
We operate Encounter guided day walks on the Milford Track from Te Anau and on the Routeburn Track from Queenstown and therefore require guides who will be based in either Te Anau or Queenstown. These positions are for those that want to guide but also want to be able to go home at the end of each day. Day walk guides receive a daily rate. Accommodation is not provided with this position. Routeburn Encounter guides are required to have a least a P endorsed driving licence. All guides are expected to have a current first aid certificate.
Lodge Management (Milford Track)
Lodge Managers report directly to the General Manager and are responsible for the daily management of the remote wilderness lodges on the track throughout the season. This includes leading and motivating a team of ten to fourteen staff, catering and housekeeping for up to fifty walkers plus staff each day, supervision of ordering and receiving supplies and general maintenance of the lodge.
Ideally suited to mature couples or individuals who are personable, effective problem solvers and capable of maintaining standards in an isolated environment. A hospitality (and/or trade) background is beneficial. Applicants will be required to obtain a General Manager’s Liquor Licence and first aid certificate prior to commencement of employment.
Accommodation and food are provided whilst on the track. Managers are generally paid on a seasonal salary basis and are required to work six days a week with one week every six weeks off the track.
If applying as a couple; please apply separately but state that you are applying as a couple in the note section of your application. Generally one person will act as Lodge Manager and the other will be in charge of housekeeping and catering.Lodge Management (Routeburn Track)
Same as the Lodge Manager requirements on the Milford Track although there are no staff other than the Lodge Managers. The maximum number of walkers staying at the Routeburn lodges is 24. Again ideally suited to mature couples, as being able to work together as a team in such a remote location is essential. Accommodation and food are provided whilst on the track. Managers are generally paid on a seasonal salary basis and are required to work two weeks on, one week off.
Assistant Lodge Managers (Milford Track only)
Assistant Lodge Managers will be responsible for much of the routine maintenance in and around the lodges. They will be expected to assist all staff at the lodge in their duties as necessary. As the Assistant Lodge Manager covers for the Lodge Manager on their days off, they will also be required to obtain a General Manager’s Liquor Licence and first aid certificate prior to commencement of employment. Accommodation and food are provided whilst on the track. Assistant Lodge Managers are paid on a weekly basis and are required to work 6 days a week with one week every six weeks off the track.
Lodge Cooks (Milford Track only)
Lodge cooks are responsible for food preparation at the lodge for walkers and staff. Trained chefs are not necessarily required, but successful applicants will need to be able to produce good quality and consistent meals according to the set menu whilst displaying the highest standards of food hygiene. Accommodation and food are provided whilst on the track. Lodge Cooks are paid on a weekly basis and are required to work six days a week with one week every six weeks off the track.
Lodge Attendants (Cleaners)
Lodge Attendants have a variety of responsibilities at each lodge and generally undertake these on a rotational basis with a range of different shifts including split shifts. These responsibilities include: cleaning, assisting with food preparation, meeting and greeting walkers, as well as assisting Lodge Managers with general maintenance and re-supply. Accommodation and food are provided whilst on the track. Ideally we would like multilingual candidates, especially those who can speak Japanese. Lodge Attendants are paid on a weekly basis and are required to work six days a week with one week every six weeks off the track.
Ultimate Hikes Centre Customer Service Staff (Queenstown)
Customer Service employees are the first face-to-face contact with the company for the majority of our walkers. Customer Service positions include a wide range of responsibilities in our busy Ultimate Hikes Centre, open from 6:30am – 7:00pm daily throughout the season. Duties include: retail sales, reservations, hosting pre-track briefings, management of walker equipment, providing advice and information to prospective and current walkers. Excellent customer services, sales, computing and accounting skills required. Experience preferred. Ideally we would like multilingual candidates, especially those who can speak Japanese. Customer Service staff are paid on an hourly basis and will be required to work approximately 5 days a week on a variety of different shifts including split ones. Accommodation and food are not provided.
Reservations Assistant (Seasonal) (Queenstown)
Based at our head office in Queenstown, the reservations assistant will assist in receiving and processing reservations and answering queries from customers and agents via email and telephone. As well as numerous other administrative duties, the reservation assistant will also assist the customer service staff when required. Excellent customer services, sales, computing and accounting skills required. Experience is preferred. Reservation Assistants are paid on an hourly basis and will be required to work approximately 5 days a week on a variety of different shifts including split shifts. Accommodation and food are not provided.
Briefers (Japanese speaking) (Queenstown)
Each afternoon throughout the season, a pre-track briefing is held the afternoon prior to walkers departing on one of our guided walks. Here we provide customers with a complete outline of what to expect, what equipment to take, complimentary equipment, an opportunity to purchase last minute items and medical forms; ensuring that they are fully prepared. As we take a significant number of Japanese visitors on our walks, we also provide this service in Japanese. We therefore require competent Japanese speaking staff with good customer service skills to host briefings for our Japanese customers. Japanese briefers are paid an hourly rate and generally work between 4:45pm and 6:30pm each day. Accommodation and food are not provided.
