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    State of Alaska > Natural Resources > Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Alaska State Parks Volunteer Program
Volunteer and Volunteer Internship Positions - 2010


RANGER ASSISTANT



Note: Please be sure to check the general information page for instructions on how to apply! Click here to return to the list of position types.

RANGER ASSISTANT (1-2 positions)

Park/Area: CHUGACH STATE PARK - EKLUTNA LAKE & NORTHERN WILDERNESS AREA
The half million acres that make up Chugach State Park are filled with rugged mountains, ice caps, and sweeping glaciers. Anchorage is next door to this amazing wilderness; residents and visitors can find a quick retreat in the park. Recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATV riding, climbing, wildlife viewing, photography, hunting, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, sailboarding, and berry picking. The park offers a wide variety of trails for both summer and winter use.

Eklutna Lake lies in the northern area of Chugach State Park and is approximately 36 miles north of Anchorage. It boasts the largest lake and the highest mountain peak in the park. This is a very popular recreational area with campgrounds, picnic areas, public use cabins, interpretive displays and approximately 30 miles of trails.

Main Tasks: Assist area ranger with management and maintenance of backcountry trails, campgrounds, remote airstrip and public use cabins. Be available to respond to problems or emergencies by contacting ranger staff or appropriate authorities; contact park visitors to inform and educate them of park rules and regulations. Ranger assistant may be lead person for volunteer groups and will assist visitor services, maintenance, litter pickup and janitorial services of front country camp ground/facilities, and operation of fee booth.

Amenities: Subsistence payment, rustic cabin w/electricity and phone. No water or plumbing, outhouse nearby.

Required Skills: Backcountry hiking, camping and survival skills. Ability to work independently without direct daily supervision. Must be able to live in a primitive setting; have basic carpentry skills and possess a valid driver's license.

Desired Skills: Education and/or experience in resource/recreation management. Outgoing personality and willingness to make public contacts. Have a strong background in the use and maintenance of chainsaws; carpentry skills and ATV operation.

Internship: Will assist volunteer in internship requirements and paperwork for college credit.

Allowance/Housing: Subsistence payment and shower card. Provided housing is a two room, 14' x 24' furnished cabin next to the ranger station. Accommodations include electric heat, hot plate, microwave oven, refrigerator, 2 twin beds, dresser, couch, television, VCR, AM/FM/cassette player, desk and chair. Cabin shares an extension of ranger station telephone. Latrine and a storage building are located nearby. Laundry and shower facilities available one mile away. Water is available in the main campground. Pets are not permitted.

Time Commitment: Start mid May through June 1 for a minimum of 10 weeks.

Note: For this position, applications must be received prior to February 1st.

Send Application to: Ranger Norma Sizemore
Alaska State Parks - Chugach
HC 52, Box 8999
Indian, AK 99540
            phone: (907) 688-0908 or (907) 345-5014
fax: (907) 688-0908
email: norma.sizemore@alaska.gov


RANGER ASSISTANT (2 positions)

Park/Area: CAINES HEAD STATE RECREATION AREA & RESURRECTION BAY STATE MARINE PARKS
Caines Head is a promontory in Resurrection Bay adjacent to Kenai Fjords National Park. The area hosts a wealth of marine mammals, fishes and nesting pelagic birds. Mountains ring the bay and trap incoming storms. High levels of precipitation feed the tremendous glaciers that sweep through the area and foster rain forests and abundant wildlife. Caines Head is located seven water miles south of Seward, Alaska. Accessible by boat or foot, it contains the remains of WWII fortifications overlooking Resurrection Bay and is rich in wildlife. Five other marine parks exist within Resurrection Bay and nearby Day Harbor. These are all accessible by boat only.

Main Tasks: Repairing and constructing trails.  Painting and maintenance of park facilities.  Preparing and presenting weekly interpretive tours of historic defense structures.  Routine patrols of each park unit.  Public use cabin maintenance.

Special Projects: Inventory and document historic buildings. Photography.

Two years of undergraduate study in a resource related field. Willing to learn boating skills and power tool operation. Able to work well with the public; able to live and work independently in a remote setting.

Internship: Field experience only, not an intern position.

Allowance/Housing: Subsistence payment available. Housing is 16’ X 20’ log ranger station to be shared with one additional staff member. Groceries available in Seward (transportation available weekly) and from the sea (excellent fishing).

Time Commitment: 5 days per week, 8 weeks minimum between 5/15 and 9/7; at least 6/15-8/15.

Send Application to: Ranger Terry Rude
Alaska State Parks - Kenai/PWS
P.O. Box 1247
Soldotna, AK 99669
            phone: (907) 262-5581
fax: (907) 262-3717
email: dnr.pkskenai@alaska.gov

RANGER ASSISTANT (1-2 positions)

Park/Area: NINILCHIK AND DEEP CREEK STATE RECREATION AREAS
This ranger assistant position is located at the Ninilchik Ranger Station and assists with maintaining the state park facilities near Ninilchik. Ninilchik is a community of 800 people located on the western Kenai Peninsula. Local residents and visitors are drawn to this area because of the outstanding recreation opportunities in this area. Freshwater fishing in the Ninilchik River and Deep Creek provide access to some of the best roadside salmon fishing areas in Alaska. The beaches at Ninilchik offer outstanding razor clam digging opportunities and the proximity to Cook Inlet offers fantastic saltwater fishing for halibut and salmon.

Special Projects: Replace and construct picnic tables. Paint park buildings. Repair and improve campground sites. Repair and install park signs. Repair lawn mowers and brush cutters.

Allowance/Housing: Subsistence payment, electricity and water, shower and laundry facilities available at park office. Other services available in Ninilchik.

Time Commitment: 2 - 4 months starting May 15.

Send Application to: Ranger Jacqui Erion
Alaska State Parks - Kenai/PWS
P.O. Box 1247
Soldotna, AK 99669
            phone: (907) 262-5581
fax: (907) 262-3717
email: dnr.pkskenai@alaska.gov

RANGER ASSISTANT (1-2 positions)

Park/Area: OLD SITKA STATE HISTORIC SITE
Old Sitka SHS is located seven miles from downtown Sitka on Halibut Point Road. This day-use park is located along Starrigavan Bay at the site of the first Russian settlement in Sitka. Attractions at this park include a one mile interpretive trail located in a coastal muskeg and spruce/hemlock forest and a two mile loop trail leading to the calm waters of Mosquito Cove. Additionally there is a boat ramp, dock, and interpretive kiosks explaining the cultural history of this site.

Main Tasks: Perform daily maintenance and cleaning of park facilities. Other duties include landscaping and trail maintenance work.

Special Projects: Volunteers may work with staff on maintenance or construction projects in other district parks.

Required Skills: Ability to operate hand and power tools.

Desired Skills: Carpentry experience.

Allowance/Housing: Volunteer lives in rustic cabin at park. Oil heat and electric lights are provided. No water or plumbing in cabin.

Time Commitment: 6 - 8 weeks, April - September

Internship: Will assist volunteer with internship requirements and paperwork

Send Application to: Ranger James Bunting
Alaska State Parks - Southeast
3803 Halibut Point Rd
Sitka, AK 99835
            phone: (907) 747-6249
fax: (907) 747-3007
email: james.bunting@alaska.gov

RANGER ASSISTANT (2 positions)

Park/Area: DELTA AREA STATE PARKS
The Delta area covers a wide expanse of interior woodlands, hills, braided river bottoms, and high country tundra.  The Alaska Range borders the south side and the Yukon River/Tanana River uplands stretch for miles to the north and northeast.  The Delta area is home to a large herd of free roaming bison transplanted from Montana in 1927 and 1928.  Moose and caribou are frequently seen in the Delta Junction area and Dall sheep may be viewed south of town in the Alaska Range.  State Parks in the Delta area serve as access points to vast areas of Interior Alaska wilderness.  The Delta Parks District includes three state recreation sites, two 640 acre state recreation areas, and one state historical park.
-At Quartz Lake State Recreation Area, recreational opportunities abound.  Whether you enjoy the feel of a 20 inch rainbow trout on the line, the breathtaking view after a hike to Bluff Point, or sitting around the campfire with friends, these opportunities and more are available.
-Big Delta State Historical Park, through its tremendous historic buildings and displays, gives visitors an opportunity to take a walk back in time. The historic district was an important crossroad for travelers, traders, and the military during the early days of the 20th century.
-Clearwater State Recreation Site is a beautiful little campground which lies tucked beside a crystal clear river offering a peaceful place to visit.  Besides the excellent fishing opportunity for Arctic grayling, many people enjoy the opportunity to float the Delta-Clearwater River.
-Delta State Recreation Site gives visitors a wilderness feel but keeps them conveniently close to town.  Directly across the highway from the recreation site lies the Delta River allowing for some spectacular views of the Alaska Range beyond which remains snow covered year round.
-Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site offers a peaceful setting with views of some of the tallest peaks of the Alaska Range.  There is a great opportunity here to examine alpine plant life, along with good wildlife viewing opportunities.
-Fielding Lake State Recreation Area is at an elevation of 2,973 feet in the Alaska Range. Because of the elevation, the ice sometimes remains on the lake until July. The site offers great fishing opportunities for Arctic grayling, lake trout and burbot.

Main Tasks: The ranger assistant positions are ideal for natural resource or park and recreation internships. They offer valuable experience for persons interested in careers in park management. Ranger assistants will be involved in the day to day operations of all state park units in the Delta Junction area.

Required Skills: Ranger Assistants must have the ability to work effectively with other volunteers and the public and have an interest in natural resource related subjects. They must be comfortable with living in a primitive setting. They must be able to operate basic trail clearing tools, maintenance tools, chainsaws, and brush cutters, given proper training. Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license.

Desired Skills: Public speaking ability and construction skills are desired.

Allowance/Housing: A rustic cabin is provided. There is no electricity or running water at the cabin. Subsistence payment of $150 twice monthly is given. Transportation is provided within the district and limited transportation in the region. Shower facilities are available at the Delta Parks office. Internship: As an intern, your experience will be closely supervised and unique school requirements will be complied with.

Internship: As an intern, your experience will be closely supervised and unique school requirements will be complied with.

Time Commitment: 8 weeks minimum, preference given to longer commitments, May 16 – Sept. 7.

Send Application to: Park Specialist Maureen Gardner
Alaska State Parks - Northern
P.O. Box 318
Delta Jct., AK 99737
            phone: (907) 895-4599
fax: (907) 895-5043
email: maureen.gardner@alaska.gov

RANGER ASSISTANT (2 positions)


Park/Area: HARDING LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA, BIRCH LAKE STATE RECREATION SITE & SALCHA RIVER STATE RECREATION SITE
These park units are located approximately 45 miles southeast of Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway and are busy and popular on weekends. The weather is often sunny and warm. Recreational activities are fishing, hiking, boating, and picnicking.  Facilities include day use and picnic sites, campgrounds, boat launches, and hiking trails.

Main Tasks: Assist staff in daily operations involving facility maintenance, visitor contacts, brush cutting, lawn mowing, painting, routine janitorial work, litter pickup, and other duties.

Special Projects: Upgrading bulletin boards, expanding the self-guided nature trail at Harding Lake SRA, and assisting in the Harding Lake entrance station as needed.

Required Skills: Must possess a valid driver's license; have an interest in natural resources and the environment; must be physically fit, and able to work and live with others in rustic accommodations.

Desired Skills: Understanding of operation and maintenance of power and hand tools, carpentry skills, and landscaping.

Internship: Will assist volunteer in internship requirements and paperwork.

Allowance/Housing: Subsistence payment, Ranger station with complete amenities, shared with other volunteers.

Time commitment: 10 weeks, starting June 1 (extension possible).

Send Application to: Ranger Nikki Phillips
Alaska State Parks – Northern
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709-4613
  phone: (907) 451-2653
fax: (907) 451-2754
email: nicole.phillips@alaska.gov


RANGER ASSISTANT - FRONT COUNTRY (2 positions)

Park/Area: MILE 33 MAINTENANCE AREA – CHENA RIVER STATE RECREATION AREA
This facility is located at 33-mile Chena Hot Springs Road. These positions involve working throughout the 255,000 acre recreation area.

Main Tasks: Assist with the operations of this popular Fairbanks destination. CRSRA facilities including 3 campgrounds, 9 trailheads, 20 river access roads, 3 ponds stocked by Fish & Game, 10 picnic site and 3 public use cabins. Duties assigned as needed. Will involve facility maintenance at the campgrounds and trailheads. Also back country trail maintenance if needed.

Special Projects: Minor maintenance throughout the park. Clean and maintain restrooms. Stock Park brochures. Visitor information and services.

Required Skills: Must possess a valid driver’s license, be physically fit, willing and able to work, good public relation skills, and live closely with others in rustic accommodations.

Desired Skills: Trail maintenance, basic carpentry skills, landscaping and operation. Maintenance of chainsaws, brush cutters, lawn mowers and other powers tools.

Internship: Will assist volunteer in internship requirements and paper work.

Allowance/Housing:Subsistence payment. Combination of rustic cabins and backcountry camping.  Electricity is provided by generator power, with a mess hall w/modern kitchen, showers and laundry available at the site.  Phone and PC can be accessed.   

Time Commitment: 7-8 weeks minimum between 5/22 - 7/14, 7/14 - 9/8 (extension possible).

Send Application to: Ranger Mike Moore
Alaska State Parks – Northern
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709-4613
            phone: (907) 451-2655
fax: (907) 451-2754
email: mike.moore@alaska.gov



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Last updated on Monday, 24-Aug-2009 06:48:01 AKDT.
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