Naturalist - Seasonal

Naturalist - Seasonal: Full-time, 8 Month Seasonal

Preferred Dates: Early April - November

As a member of the education team, the Naturalist – Seasonal will support and lead educational and interpretive programs to reach the mission of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC). As a team member of a small not-for-profit the ideal candidate will show their ability to work with flexibility shifting between duties. Amongst team members, all programs and tasks required to complete educational programming are assigned to work collaboratively, exact programs and tasks may vary over the duration on the position to adjusts for strengths and growths.

As our programs primarily feature Alaskan wildlife, environment, history, and geography we are seeking an applicant with a background and knowledge in these areas, especially pertaining to the dynamic ecosystem of Portage Valley. Preference will be given to applicants who may return for multiple seasons. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To apply please submit a single page resume, single page cover letter, and three professional references.

Job Duties

• Interpretation and Education
  • Frontline interpretation through roving, ensuring positive guest interactions and managing guest behaviors and needs.
  • Leading daily and impromptu tours, talks, tabling, and animal encounters
  • Educate during field trips and educational events
    
  • Represent AWCC at outreach events
    
  • Assist with the development and maintenance of the education department
• Sanctuary Presentability and Safety
  • Planting, weeding, and harvesting in garden beds
  • Ensure trash does not find its way into animal habitats
  • Inventory and pull invasive plant species on property
  • Clean interpretive signs and buildings
  • Respond to guest incidents and address behaviors to ensure safety for guests and wildlife
• Animal Care
  • Assist in care of resident wildlife, especially program and encounter species
  • Other husbandry duties as assigned
• Research
  • Assist with the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Program as an Cook Inlet beluga whale observer
    
• Interns
  • Support and coach interns facilitating programming
  • Supervise interns in absence of senior education staff
• Workdays and hours assigned by Director of Education and Naturalist Supervisor will vary by week; full 40 hours and 5 days per week, maximum 8 hours per day.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Educated and confident public speaking skills to large and small audiences
• Prepared to give 15-minute interpretive talks and lead 1-1.5 hour long walking tours.
• Comfortable connecting with all ages, cultures, and perspectives from across Alaska and the world
• Work proactively on duties assigned to meet deadlines in a timely manner
• Ensures and helps to create a productive, fun, and positive work environment
• Actively participates in fun, sometimes silly group and team building activities
• Comfort and ability interpreting wildlife, geography, culture, and history of Alaska and Portage Valley
• Comfortable working around animals in human care
• Work outdoors with a positive attitude in extreme wind, temperatures, rain, and winter conditions
• Ability to work long hours on your feet and walk long distances over uneven terrain while providing interpretive talks and information
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as cleaning and moving up to 40 pounds
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on programming needs including early, late, and weekend shifts
• Must have a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record
• Must be able to pass background check
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Must have received or be willing to receive a tetanus vaccination by date of hire, proof of vaccination required

Preferred Skills

• Some college coursework in a related field. Some examples may include Education, Interpretation, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Zoological Sciences, Ecology, Animal Science, or other related topics of interest
• BS, BA, or equivalent relevant work experience
• Experience in a related internship
  
• National Association of Interpretation Certified Interpretive Guide and/or experience writing programs in an interpretive outline
• Proficiency identifying local flora and fauna including both native and invasive species
• Demonstrate knowledge of health, care, behavior, and handling of wildlife
• Application demonstrates how this opportunity will be a career building opportunity
• Application demonstrates knowledge of AWCC programs
• Applicant may return for multiple seasons
• Fluency in multiple languages
• Dena'ina language familiarity
  
• Experience using Microsoft suite
• First Aid and CPR Certified

Area Specifics and Benefits

• Housing is available for seasonal team members.
• Housing is is dormitory style with multiple shared bedrooms as well as shared bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and laundry machines, Wi-Fi is provided. Ability to courteously live with other team members is essential.
• Staff living staff housing with a valid driver’s license and safe driving record have occasional access to an AWCC vehicle for group grocery and supply runs. We highly encourage using your own vehicle.
• Portage, Alaska is located 45 miles southeast of Anchorage, and 10 miles past Girdwood, a small ski-town. There is one small grocery store in Girdwood; Anchorage has the closest typical city amenities.
• This position has uniform requirements, specific uniform requirements will be provided to the employee including jacket, rain jacket, mid-layer, and shirts.
• Additional gear/clothing in specific colors for comfort working outside and non-working times is employee responsibility
• Employees receive free admission to AWCC for friends and family
• Employees receive a discount in our Be Wild Gift Shop
  

To Apply

• Submit a single one-sided page resume
• Submit a single one-sided page cover letter detailing how this position would help you to progress in your chosen career path. Cover letters should demonstrate an understanding of AWCC's mission and programming.
• Address applications to Lily Grbavach, Director of Education, and Kristina Rogers, Naturalist Supervisor.
  
• Phone and email contacts for three professional references with job titles and working relationship.
• Include month and date for earliest available start date and latest available end date.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in January 2027