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Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation

Alaska State Parks Volunteer Program and Volunteer Internship Positions

Ranger and Park 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
Eklutna Lake lies in the northern area of Chugach State Park, 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.

Job Duties: Assist area Ranger with management and maintenance of backcountry trails, campgrounds, a remote airstrip, and Public-Use Cabins. Be available to respond to problems or emergencies by contacting ranger staff or appropriate authorities. May be lead person for volunteer groups and will also assist with visitor services, maintenance, litter pickup and janitorial services in frontcountry campground and facilities.

Allowance/Housing: Subsistence allowance. Dry cabin with power, phone, refrigerator, electric oven/range, and Wi-Fi. Nearby Ranger Station with laundry and shower.

Season: 4 months, 5/15 - 9/15, entire season desired.

Send Application to: Ranger Levi Schmidt

Alaska State Parks - Chugach
18620 Seward Hwy.
Anchorage, AK 99516

phone: (907) 244-0299
email: levi.schmidt@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 sea 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 only accessible by boat.

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. Photograph buildings and park.

Required Skills: 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 Jack Ransom

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: KASILOF, NINILCHIK AND DEEP CREEK STATE RECREATION SITE AND AREA
This position is located at the Ninilchik Ranger Station and assists with maintaining the state park facilities from Kasilof to Ninilchik, small communities with approximately 800 people located on the western Kenai Peninsula. Local residents and visitors are drawn to this area because of the outstanding recreation opportunities; freshwater fishing in the Ninilchik River, the best roadside salmon fishing at Deep Creek and outstanding razor clam digging at Ninilchik beach. The proximity to Cook Inlet offers fantastic saltwater fishing for halibut and salmon. The Kasilof area includes Clam Gulch and access to the Kasilof River. One of the area's most popular campgrounds, Johnson Lake SRA is also in Kasilof.

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 Jason Okuly

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

PARK ASSISTANT (1 position)

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: Jeremy Maguire

Alaska State Parks – Northern
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709-4613

phone: (907) 451-2653
fax: (907) 451-2754
email: jeremy.maguire@alaska.gov

PARK ASSISTANT (1 position)

Park/Area: FAIRBANKS AREA/CHENA RIVER STATE RECREATION AREA
This position will be based out of Fairbanks. The position is flexible and may work in one or both of these parks as needed. 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 including latrine cleaning &, litter pickup, other duties as assigned.

Special Projects: Assigned as needs come up.

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: An understanding of the operation and maintenance of power and hand tools, carpentry skills, and landscaping.

Internship: Encouraged, but not required. Supervisor will assist volunteer in internship requirements and paperwork.

Allowance/Housing: Subsistence payment / Dry log cabin in Fairbanks equipped w/ a stove & fridge, but no running water. Facilities for showers & toilets in office building next door.

Time commitment: May 16 to Sept 9 – preference given to those who can commit to longer season, but shorter commitments will be considered.

Send Application to: Jeremy Maguire

Alaska State Parks – Northern
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709-4613

phone: (907) 451-2653
fax: (907) 451-2754
email: jeremy.maguire@alaska.gov

Mission Statement

"The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation provides outdoor recreation opportunities and conserves and interprets natural, cultural, and historic resources for the use, enjoyment, and welfare of the people."

Accessibility Notice

Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation

Atwood Building
550 West 7th Avenue
Suite 1380
Anchorage, AK 99501
DNR Public Information Center:
(907) 269-8400
DPOR Director's Office:
(907) 269-8700