Alaska Wildland Adventures (AWA) owns and operates Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge (KFGL), which is located within the boundaries of Kenai Fjords National Park on 2,000+ acres of a Native-owned wildlife sanctuary. Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is a separate operation, but there is a great deal of interchange between Kenai Riverside Lodge (AWA’s headquarters for summer operations) and KFGL. Many of AWA’s trips spend 2-3 nights at KFGL, and independent travelers can book into KFGL packages as well. The lodge offers a special opportunity for travelers to intimately experience the wilderness of Kenai Fjords National Park.
The lodge, which is accessible only by boat, is located on the shore of glacier-carved Pedersen Lagoon and has glorious views of the Pedersen Glacier cascading into the upper lagoon. Port Graham Native Corporation invited AWA to be stewards of their culturally significant land. We have worked hard to protect and preserve the natural environment on the lodge property. In accordance with these goals, we have kept the overall capacity low, accommodating only 20-32 guests at a time.
The lodge is surrounded by hundreds of miles of wilderness, and there are a few considerations to working in such a remote location. First, it can be hard to get away from the lodge on days off. It is a 2.5 hour boat ride to Seward Boat Harbor (if the seas are calm enough to cross). Seward is a fun coastal town with much to see and do on days off, with the larger city of Anchorage another 3 hours north. The main activity for time off tends to be exploration and backpacking. Of course, that is part of the attraction, but if you are inclined to cabin fever you will want to consider the limitations. We have a lot of fun as a staff, but you will be spending a lot of time with the 20 other KFGL staff members the whole summer. A sense of humor, and the ability to get along with all sorts of people is very helpful, if not a prerequisite.
The primary prerequisite for work at KFGL is the flexibility and adaptability to do a little bit of everything. You may be hired as a guide but be needed in hospitality or the kitchen one day. You may be hired as a cook but needed to help with maintenance and construction on low guest days. Since the lodge is a small and remote operation, staff members help with a variety of tasks that could include: dish washing, housekeeping, maintenance, going to town for supplies and/or guest pick up/drop-offs, shuttling equipment and people across from the outer coast, and the willingness to help out a guest in need at any time!
Community Living Mission Statement
At Alaska Wildland Adventures, we seek highly motivated, personable and respectful employees to spend their summers with us. We have high standards from all staff in community relations, group living skills, and stewardship of the surrounding land.
Community Relations
Our facility is located outside the small community of Seward, and with our summer staff numbering over 80 people, our impact on our neighbors can be significant and potentially negative. We ask that staff members respect the community and use discretion when attending public venues in the town, whether they are the library, grocery store, a softball game or local restaurants and bars. As a representative of Alaska Wildland Adventures, be considerate and courteous to the community, both on and off duty.
Group Living
At Alaska Wildland Adventures’ Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, staff are housed in two-person Yukon tents with limited amenities. Most creature comforts are available in facilities shared by staff, such as the Lounge, where meals are served; and the bathroom, with showers, toilets, and sinks for staff. Phone access will be limited and internet access will be available on a limited basis.
We become family-like in many ways, for better or worse, during our time at this facility. This requires respect for oneself as well as peers and co-workers. We have established guidelines for the communal areas to provide a positive group living experience for all staff members, including quiet hours and housekeeping of communal areas. You will be asked to take part in communal living maintenance throughout the season.
These guidelines may be less than or more than what you do in your own space. We try to allow for the greatest flexibility with a minimal impact on the health and well-being of the entire staff.
Stewardship
In order to provide excellent customer service to our guests and promote a stable group living environment, we strongly encourage staff to explore and take advantage of the numerous recreational opportunities that abound in the local area. Quality days off are needed to maintain the busy pace of our operations. Staff must be self-motivated to get out and appreciate the surrounding landscape, and learn what the Kenai Peninsula has to offer. The scenic natural beauty and grandeur of Alaska is a primary attraction for all of our staff, and we ask that our employees respect and care for this natural resource to benefit future generations.
The success of Alaska Wildland Adventures depends on the actions of our high quality staff. We ask all staff to use tact, respect and common sense during all interactions with the community of Seward, other staff members and the surrounding landscape. Staff members ability to co-exist harmoniously with other staff is equally important as delivering top quality service to our clientele.
Benefits Package
- Housing is free. Click here to see some photos of typical staff housing.
- Two staff of the same gender share a heated tent cabin (no electricity in individual tent cabins, but electrical outlets are located in nearby staff quarters for recharging devices). Basic linens (fitted sheets and top sheets) are provided, but staff should plan on bringing a warm comforter or sleeping bag. We have a shared bathhouse and shower towels are provided.
- All food is provided at no cost. Chef-prepared dinners every night and stocked pantry for choosing your own breakfast, lunch and snacks.
- At least two weeks of paid training prior to guests arriving.
- Use of wood-fired sauna.
- Use of program gear such as sea kayaks and safety equipment for adventuring during your free time or on days off.
- Flexible 5 days on/2 days off work schedule with days off shared with multiple coworkers. In most cases, the schedule is built for an “early release” on your last day and a later start on your first.
- Free lodging in Seward for use during town trips.
- Access to exercise equipment in a dedicated exercise area.
- Shared community spaces (kitchen, dining room/all-purpose room, and cabin/movie lounge) with a highly motivated and creative group of coworkers always looking to play games and music, craft, watch movies, or just hangout.
- Invite two of your friends or family to come to visit you at the lodge at a heavily discounted rate.
- Enjoy 20% discounts on all other AWA trips and lodging for friends and family.
- One free 2-day visit to one of our backcountry lodges, once a summer, depending on space available. Either…
- Kenai Riverside Lodge, located on the scenic Kenai River and accessible via the Sterling Highway, or
- Kenai Backcountry Lodge, accessible only by boat by either by rafting down the Kenai River or taking our passenger vessel across Skilak Lake.
- Lots of staff social events, adventure partners for hiking, fishing, sea kayaking, camping, trips to Seward, etc., dance parties and a huge costume supply.
- Performance-based bonuses and employee profit-sharing, when applicable.
- Guest tips split fairly among staff.