Seasonal Management
Seasonal Safari Manager
The Seasonal Safari Manager will coordinate with and assist the Safari Program Director managing AWA’s Safari/Alaska Adventures Program. This position will typically work a 40-hour week but must be flexible to work more especially during the training period of May and early June. Day-to-day schedule may fluctuate depending on arrivals and guest occupancy at the lodge. This dynamic position requires experience in staff leadership and supervision, program logistics and scheduling and Alaska natural history interpretation.
Job Requirements/Preferred Qualifications:
- Great customer service
- Competent with computers and Windows operating system; working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to manage, train and schedule guide staff while providing constructive feedback to enhance their job performance
- Ability to multitask and problem solve under time constraints
- Ability to live and work in a communal, camp-like atmosphere
- Affinity for natural history and interest in expanding knowledge of eco-tourism, Alaska and the Alaska tourism experience
- Natural history interpretation training skills strongly preferred
Duties may include but are not limited to:
Greet guests upon arrival at lodge; compile Welcome Folders for arriving guests; mingle nightly with guests to set schedule for next day’s activities; ensure daily activities are booked and guide staff are available; compile shuttle and meal schedules; lead full- and half-day natural history hikes in the Chugach National Forest; and drive shuttles on an as-needed basis.
This management position demands a high level of organization, leadership, attention to detail and exemplary customer service skills. Salary is DOE. Applicant must be available April 1 – September 30.
Guiding and Outdoor Leadership
Essential Requirements for all Adventure Trip Positions:
- Cheerful and enthusiastic attitude during long days in a sometimes cramped workspace.
- Possess the ability to work within a team structure and in a flexible manner to accomplish a variety of tasks including: natural history interpretation, food presentation and dining with guests, driving and cleaning shuttle vehicles, keeping track of trip schedules and timing, and guest service.
- Ability to live and work in a communal, camp-like atmosphere.
- All positions (including managers) have dishwashing duties.
Alaska Adventures Multi-Day Trip Leader
Leads seven to twelve day natural history focused trips, as well as support AWA at various lodges during stays. We search for trip leaders who genuinely enjoy working with people. More than anything else, this is the critical factor in determining if potential applicants will make GREAT trip leaders.
Trip leaders have to be more than naturalists; they have to be willing to work long days, provide first-rate, high-quality guest service, act as positive problem solvers, be team players, (e.g. ready to help bus dinner tables or carry luggage as enthusiastically as identifying a wildflower while hiking), and thrive off the unexpected events that often occur while traveling throughout Alaska’s wild lands. Compensation is per diem and starts at $165/day.
Job Requirements:
- Alaska experience, multi-day outdoor leadership, and interpretation or teaching background preferred
- Willing to lead and/or co-guide a variety of activities
- Must have valid driver’s license and ability to complete driver training
- Wilderness First Responder or higher is required
Alaska Adventures Driver
Responsible for transporting our Alaska Adventures Trips’ guests to and from various lodges and activities throughout the state. Drivers work closely with trip leaders to provide various guest services including luggage handling, general orientation of guests, natural history interpretation as needed, airport pick-ups, shuttles, etc. This position is based out of Kenai Riverside Lodge, and employees must be willing to provide lodge support such as driving raft shuttles, running town errands, and performing camp chores (e.g. yard work) as parts of their job. This is a great stepping-stone for those who want to return to Alaska in future summers as a guide. Many of our guide staff started out as drivers and moved into guiding positions as they picked up experience and appropriate skills. We prefer applicants who have some experience driving large vehicles, group facilitation, customer service and natural history interpretation. Compensation starts at $16.50/hour.
Drivers must:
- Be able to learn a variety of itineraries, manage daily schedules with flexibility, and maintain an optimistic attitude
- Have valid driver’s license, and ability to go through training provided by AWA to obtain a class C commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement once in-state
- With training, be able to safely operate large motor vehicles including trailers, be responsible for care, light maintenance, and preparation of vehicles
- Comply with all Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations as they apply to drivers, including being able to participate in pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screening program for the duration of the season
- Have or obtain a current first aid/CPR certification
- Be excited to spend multiple days “on the road” while transporting guests from lodge to lodge
Kenai Guide
Supports our Alaska Adventures Multi-Day, Lodge Vacation, and Day Trip programs with activities based out of The Kenai Riverside Lodge. This position primarily consists of leading and/or co-guiding day hikes on local trails and rowing rafting trips on the Kenai River, and calls for a love of rugged terrain and appreciation of all kinds of weather. Kenai Guides not only work with trip leaders to co-guide activities with their groups, but also frequently operate as solo guides for our Lodge Vacation and Day Trip guests. This affords employees opportunities to learn from other experienced guides as well as stretch their legs as leaders. We are looking for applicants who are willing to perform a variety of other tasks including general camp maintenance and chores on days that activity bookings are light. $15 per hour minimum wage based on experience plus industry incentives (e.g. discounted gear, guided and non-guided activity opportunities, etc) and subsidized room and board.
Job Requirements:
- Previous guiding and/or naturalist experience preferred
- Wilderness First Responder or higher required
- With training, able to safely raft up to Class III whitewater
- Comply with all State Park and Coast Guard regulations as they apply to guides, including being able to participate in pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screening program for the duration of the season
- Must have valid driver’s license and ability to complete driver training, including operation of large vehicles with trailers