See Below
Position Description The position of naturalist guide is a professional role, which implements the educational mission of Camp Denali and North Face Lodge. A naturalist guide is a teacher of experiential learning, a backcountry hiking guide, and a competent driver. The position may be 2-5 days per week and is likely to be combined with hosting, transport driving or positions in other departments, depending on company needs.
Compensation Pay begins at $120/day, based on a ten-hour day; the actual rate is commensurate with training, experience and other positions included in the five-day schedule. There are no charges for room or board. A travel stipend is offered to out-of-state employees, pro-rated to the length of season worked. Gratuities are pooled and divided equally among all staff, amounting to approximately $350/person/month.
Major Functions A naturalist guide is responsible for safely transporting guests over the unpaved, mountainous park road, leading people into the trail-less backcountry of Denali National Park, and using creative teaching techniques to expand the guests knowledge of the area and encourage land stewardship. Responsibilities include eating meals with guests, assisting with needs applicable to meal service, helping serving staff set up and clear dining room, assisting hosts with activity descriptions, loading vehicles with guide baskets & thermoses, acting as a resource to guests for gear/activity questions, keeping people safe and engaged in the field, returning vehicles in appropriate condition and timely manner to the garage, restocking guide baskets, and providing a recap of the day during guest dinner. This position requires close
communication with hosts and operations crew. Other duties may include, but are not limited to, bus washing, presenting an evening program, and washing dinner dishes.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities This position requires a multi-disciplinary background in aspects of the natural history and cultural heritage of the Far North. Knowledge base should include, but is not limited to North American bird and bird song identification, North American plant identification, including familiarity with botanical nomenclature and relationships, wildlife ecology, geologic processes, phenomena of northern skies, understanding of nutrient/energy cycling in northern climes, Alaska’s history, including early humans, today’s native peoples, public lands, statehood, the Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act, and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, history/current operational features of Camp Denali and North Face Lodge and Leave No Trace principles appropriate to the sub-arctic. Necessary skills
include current Wilderness First Aid & CPR as a minimum. (Wilderness First Responder preferred), ability to route-find in Denali’s trail-less terrain, lead people confidently and safely into the backcountry, and use the natural world as a classroom to enhance guests’ understanding of ecology. Since guest interaction is a major component, naturalist-guides must possess the ability to communicate articulately and with an easy conversational style, and have a sincere interest in people. Anyone in this position must have the willingness to train into a commercial Job Description Naturalist Guide November 2012
driver’s license to drive up to 34 passengers in buses over the unpaved, mountainous Denali Park Road while providing interpretation.
Other Requirements A solid academic background in the natural sciences (MS preferred) with experience in arctic/sub-arctic or alpine regions. Study of far northern native people is very useful. An individual commitment to learning and resourcefulness must be utilized both on and off the job in order to establish proficiency in details specific to Denali National Park and Camp Denali. Continual integration of new information about the natural world, cultural milieu, and guest service is expected.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands Hiking in the backcountry requires strong stamina and the ability to negotiate rough, uneven, and often very steep terrain while carrying a heavy daypack. Hikes may also include glacial or clear water river crossings and assisting others in the crossing. Other physical demands include loading/unloading gear, and sitting for extended periods while driving.