Alaska Wildland Adventures

COVID-19 UPDATES: HIRING for Summer 2021!

Hiring:

Alaska Wildland Adventures is hiring outdoor leaders to guide our lodge guests on natural history-focused hiking and kayaking trips. We ask our guides to take on the challenging and rewarding task of shepherding small groups through the best that Alaska has to offer while staying at one of our remote wilderness lodges; The Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge or The Kenai Backcountry Lodge.

Our guides spend their days under the midnight sun acting as leaders, teachers, and stewards of this incredible land that we have the opportunity to operate on. Some days include hiking into the tundra to overlook the mountains and glaciers. Other days include paddling through pristine glacial waters of Aialik Bay, Pederson Lagoon, and Skilak Lake.  All days include educating, conversing, and sharing passionately about the great Alaskan wilderness in an effort to pique guest curiosity, care, and involvement for the preservation of our natural world. We also ask our guide to lead a weekly evening program that covers a local natural history topic of their choice.

It’s a dynamic position that calls for as much enthusiasm for the wilderness as it does endurance for long days. The payoffs include epic scenery, a built-in and supportive community,  access to company gear for off the clock adventures, a free weekend trip to one of our remote lodges to explore on off time, pro-deals within the gear and travel industry, discounts on many Alaska Wildland Adventure packages for family, and more! These positions are based at one of our remote lodges and come with free housing and food. Paid training includes an ACA coastal sea kayaking certification. 

Our outdoor leaders must have:

• The ability to work within a team structure in order to make all operations run smoothly. Share the responsibilities and benefits of running trips.

• The ability to live and work in a communal, camp-like atmosphere.

• 1-2 years of experience in teaching and/or natural and cultural history interpretation.

• Skills in interpreting natural and cultural history of sub-arctic regions while in vehicles, on trails, rafting, or giving an evening program.

• A Wilderness First Responder or higher certification.

Alaska Wildland Adventures is hiring for Raft Guides to take our small groups on guided natural history floats along the scenic Kenai River in Alaska. We offer multiple options to our guests from a casual 2-hour Scenic Float to a 7-hour Kenai River Canyon Raft adventure. Our raft guides live and work from our Kenai Riverside Lodge, nestled in between the river and the Sterling Highway located in Cooper Landing Alaska. Being on the road systems opens up the abundant recreational opportunities to pursue on your days-off adventuring.

The payoffs include epic scenery, a built-in and supportive community,  access to company gear for off the clock adventures, a free weekend trip to one of our remote lodges to explore on off time, pro-deals within the gear and travel industry, discounts on many Alaska Wildland Adventure packages for family, and more!

Our outdoor leaders must have:

• The ability to work within a team structure in order to make all operations run smoothly. Share the responsibilities and benefits of running trips.

• The ability to live and work in a communal, camp-like atmosphere.

• 1-2 years of experience in teaching and/or natural and cultural history interpretation.

• Skills in interpreting natural and cultural history of sub-arctic regions while in vehicles, on trails, rafting, or giving an evening program.

• A Wilderness First Responder or higher certification.

A local Alaskan tour company is looking for drivers to spend a season driving our guests and guides between the lush Kenai Peninsula and majestic Denali National Park. Whether you are someone who enjoys more supportive behind the scenes aspects of tourism and travel or you’re aching to get some exposure to the industry and see what it would be like to take the reigns as a guide this could be a great introductory position for you!

 We need CDL drivers with a Passenger endorsement (willing to train and assist with CDL for the right candidates) that are excited about being part of a team that helps execute our rustic and but comfortable adventures.

 Your days as a driver would be spent in many different ways driving as little as 2 hours at a time or as much as 8. The primary objective is safe transportation from point A to point B but we also hope to bring on people that themselves are interested in education and stewardship of the outdoors who are keen to learn and share. This is a supportive role but you will work closely with our guides and have ample opportunity to interact with our guests. Bus and vehicle cleaning duties are also part of the gig.

 The payoffs include epic scenery, a built-in and supportive community,  access to company gear for off the clock adventures, a free weekend trip to one of our remote lodges to explore on your off time, pro-deals within the gear and travel industry, discounts on many Alaska Wildland Adventure packages for family, and more!

Requirements:

• 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: food preparation, packing, housekeeping, light maintenance and guest service.

• Independently loading heavy and awkward items like luggage, coolers or boxes weighing 50 lbs. or more and safely participating in group lifts of rafts and motors that can weigh more than 400 lbs. are regular and essential duties of this position.

• Ability to routinely drive large vehicles with trailers.

• Ability to live and work in a communal, camp-like atmosphere.

Responsibilities:

• High-quality guest service standards. 

• CDL driver’s license (We will assist you with obtaining). 

• Safely operating commercial motor vehicles.

• Complying with all Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations as they apply to a professional driver and DOT paperwork as necessary.

• Participation in drug screening program. 

• Natural History interpretation as appropriate.

• Partial time spent working remotely as Alaska Adventure trips require. 

• Responsible for care, maintenance, and preparation of vehicles.

• Guest service, including: luggage handling, general orientation of guests, airport pick-ups, shuttles, etc.

• Basecamp support. River (rafting or fishing) shuttles, hike shuttles, shopping and errands, landscaping, camp projects, and general labor.

• Participate in company practices and policies to conserve natural resources, reduce landfill-bound waste, reduce or eliminate the use of environmentally, harmful substances and products and work to help improve AWA’s environmental impact.

• Flexibility and diversity. Employee’s duties and assignments may be modified and altered incidental to Employees principal duties to allow for smooth operation of the business and maximum employment opportunities for the Employee.

• Camp chores as assigned to allow for values of integration, coordination, cross training, employee benefits of sharing drudgery tasks, synergy, and maximum employment opportunity. You will be expected to do "dirty work" and "manual labor" from time to time.

Alaska Wildland Adventures is hiring for a Lodge to Lodge Combination (Loco) Manger to take on the challenging and rewarding task of greeting and shepherding small groups of independent travelers through the best that Alaska has to offer.
This Management position is based out of our Kenai Riverside Lodge and works hard to facilitate seamless communication with lodge combination guests and support them in their comings and goings between our three remote lodges. This position also provides relief to the Alaska Adventure manager on their days off, working closely to direct our Adventure Guides and logistics with state wide travel trips.
We are seeking qualified applicants who are cheerful and enthusiastic during long days in a sometimes cramped workspace. Our LOCO manager must possess the ability to work within a team structure and in a flexible manner to accomplish a variety of tasks. A high quality or guest services standards is required as well as the ability to live and work in a communal, camp-like atmosphere.
The payoffs include epic scenery, a built-in and supportive community, access to company gear for off the clock adventures, pro-deals within the gear and travel industry, discounts on many Alaska Wildland Adventure packages for family, and more!

Our Lodge to Lodge Combination Manager must be skilled at:

• Performing work that is original, dynamic, and creative in character. Each and every situation during your work may require unique approaches and varying techniques in order to result in a consistent overall high quality experience for trip participants. Alaska Wildland Adventures recognizes that high quality results depend upon the invention, imagination, and talent you possess for this profession.

• Consistent exercise of discretion and judgment in the performance of the work. Within a wide range of standards and guidelines, you will be granted independence in carrying out your work within generally acceptable standards of a management profession.

• Dynamic time scheduling. Managing involves work of such character that the output produced and the result accomplished is difficult to standardize on a time basis.

• Communicate clearly and concisely with guests prior to arrival to ensure accurate pick up and drop off information is attained.

• Greet lodge combination guests as they arrive and orient them to the property and their itinerary for the duration of their stay with Alaska Wildland Adventures.

• Work that requires knowledge gained in advanced training and specialized experiences in managing employees, principles of group leadership and interpersonal communications, as well as safety skills and precautions.

Our boathouse manager position oversees our team of raft guides who take small groups on guided natural history floats along the scenic Kenai River in Alaska. Their role as boathouse manger is to provide leadership, training, safe practices, and scheduling guidance to members of the boathouse throughout the season. Also to communicate big picture logistics with other basecamp managers to ensure smooth and safe operation on the river throughout the summer. This Management position is based out of our Kenai Riverside Lodge.
The payoffs include epic scenery, a built-in and supportive community, access to company gear for off the clock adventures, pro-deals within the gear and travel industry, discounts on many Alaska Wildland Adventure packages for family, and more!

Our Boathouse Manager must be skilled at:

• Leadership - Demonstrating leadership by communicating effectively and inspiring passion in guides through constructive, positive, and forward-thinking approaches and helping to create and maintain high morale within the Boathouse through positive and passionate attitude.

• Training - Leading river guide training course with a focus on safety protocols and procedures, environmental standards and education regarding best practices. Following up throughout the season to improve performance and practices of guides.

• Safety – Active participation in updating and carrying out general and rafting specific safety plans in conjunction with the Operations Manager and with Basecamp and Boathouse staff. Suggesting and identifying improvements that can be made in our safety systems.

• Boathouse Scheduling – Leading the administration of the “master plan” in collaboration with Operations Manager, Alaska Adventures Manager, guides and sales staff – helping determine schedules, communicating guest preferences and needs, compliance with any relevant regulations and restrictions, guide days off, updating office sales staff on operations, etc.

• Equipment and Boats – Serve as point of contact for Operations Manager, Basecamp Manager, mechanic and guides to identify maintenance needs and proactively help facilitate repair and maintenance. Help find solutions to minimize disruption of operations.

The Basecamp Manager Position involves many aspects of Alaska Wildland Adventures Seasonal Operations.This position is responsible for the physical and logistical maintenance of the staff and assets which move through the Kenai Riverside Lodge properties. It requires both physical and administrative responsibilities as essential duties including: data entry, record keeping, accounting, guest interaction, vendor interaction, driving, general maintenance, scheduling, troubleshooting, and filling in for other positions. The ideal candidate will be interested in returning to Alaska Wildland Adventures for years to come and have a strong interest in gaining skills in other departments. This Management position is based out of our Kenai Riverside Lodge.

Our Basecamp Manager must be skilled at:

• Leadership of daily planning and staff morning meetings.

• Collaboratively creating and administering the day to day logistics with support from the management team.

• Troubleshooting as situations occur: lost luggage, early/late arrivals, vehicle breakdowns, facility issues etc.

• Staff Support and helping to resolve staff conflicts.

• Supervision of basecamp drivers and mechanic.

• Scheduling - managing/balancing scheduling to maximize business success, keeping staff happy, energized, and motivated.

• Payroll - Tracking drivers and mechanic days/hours worked, and submitting payroll to the Cooper Landing Operations Manager.

• Group Living - Leadership in the development and implementation of group living guidelines and enforcement of group living rules and policies for all staff living on-site.

• Coordination with maintenance staff and other departments to ensure the facility is safe and inviting for use by guests and staff.

• Groundskeeping oversight and scheduling.

Additional Information About Alaska Wildland Adventures:

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and we are following recommendations issued by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Alaska Department of Health and Human Services to reduce the risk to our staff and guests.

We aim to be transparent in all of our plans and actions for the summer of 2021. We have a well developed and tested plan for COVID responses amongst our staff and guests that we will make available to you during the hiring process. We are also working with industry partners and state health officials to determine the best risk mitigation measures that will be added to our operations for this upcoming summer.

Working and Living with Alaska Wildland Adventures

Alaska Wildland Adventures offers Alaska summer jobs on the Kenai Peninsula and in Denali National Park. These seasonal jobs are based on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula and include positions that require skills and experience in the following fields: natural history interpretation; guiding; outdoor leadership and recreation; fish guiding; rafting; maintenance; and/or hospitality. Alaska Wildland Adventures provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment.

Employment for these seasonal jobs runs from May through mid-September. Some of the summer jobs may have flexible start and end dates, but applicants who are available for a full season of summer employment are preferred. Check out all Employment Opportunites here.

Alaska Wildland Adventures offers a variety of Alaska vacations and tours, including 6- to 12-day natural history vacations for adults and families, backcountry lodge packages and accommodations for independent travelers, Kenai Riverside Fishing packages, and rafting and fishing day trips on the upper Kenai River. We encourage all potential applicants to review our Guiding Principles before applying.

Kenai Riverside Lodge is the home base of Alaska Wildland Adventures' summer operations. This lodge is situated along the banks of the scenic Kenai River, in the town of Cooper Landing (100 miles south of Anchorage), "the heart of the Kenai Peninsula." Our rafting trips, fishing lodge and natural history safaris all operate at this location. We host close to 40 summer staffers in Cooper Landing that enjoy free lodging and utilities, and a subsidized meal plan that includes a chef-prepared dinner every night. This lodge is also on the road system which opens up a myriad of day off adventure activities. 

Kenai Backcountry Lodge is a small and remote wilderness lodge located within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. It's only accessible by boat and hosts a maximum of eighteen guests at a time. Many of Alaska Wildland Adventures' natural history safaris spend two nights at this lodge. Our staff of 9 that work remotely at the Backcountry Lodge can access the road system by a 20 minutes boat ride across Skilak Lake. This staff enjoys free lodging and food. 

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is a small and remote wilderness lodge located within 2,000 acres of a Native-owned wildlife sanctuary in Kenai Fjords National Park. It's only accessible by boat and hosts a maximum of thirty-two guests at a time. Many of Alaska Wildland Adventures' natural history safaris spend two to three nights at this lodge. Up to 24 staff members live and work at the Glacier Lodge. It takes a half-day boat ride to access the lodge so many staff only make a handful of trips back to Seward each summer. Glacier Lodge staff enjoy free lodging and food. 

Alaska Adventures are our multi-day trip program that travels between our lodges on the Kenai Peninsula and lodges in Denali National Park. When not traveling on the Kenai Peninsula or up to Denali, our Adventure staff will have a home in Cooper Landing and enjoy free lodging and subsidized meals when not working Adventure Trips. 

Weather Permitting is our water taxi company that operates out of the small Alaskan coastal community of Seward. Our four Coast Guard inspected landing crafts are staffed by deckhands and licensed captains to provide transportation to the Glacier Lodge, and also provides transportation partner companies that provided guided sea kayaking trips in Kenai Fjords National Park. Subsidized housing in Seward may be available.