Alaska State Parks Winter Volunteer Program Positions
Winter Caretaker
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.
WINTER CARETAKER (1 position)
Park/Area: Chugach State Park-Glen Alps Trailhead
Glen Alps Trailhead offers alpine access to Chugach State Park within a short distance from Anchorage. Visitors are attracted to outstanding recreational opportunities including hiking, mountaineering, biking, skiing, wildlife viewing, and photography. Part of the area opens to snowmobile use as snow-pack allows. During peak winter months, cross-country skiing is very popular on the extensive hillside trail network. The Glen Alps Caretaker is responsible for providing basic janitorial services at four popular Chugach State Park trailheads; Glen Alps, Upper O'Malley, Upper Huffman, and Prospect Heights.
Main Tasks: Reside at, and maintain the Glen Alps Condo. Keep facility access and latrines free of snow. Provide daily maintenance of the Glen Alps Trailhead including latrine cleaning and garbage pickup. Routinely perform similar duties at other hillside trailheads including snow removal as needed. Additional duties include taking visitor counts, incident reporting, and providing information to visitors. Other tasks may be assigned as needed. This position requires people who can work with minimal supervision, exercise good judgment and maintain a high standard for park maintenance.
Requirements: The position can be physically demanding. Additional duties during winter include snow blowing/shoveling, maintaining access to fee stations and latrines, snowmobile operation, and winter trail maintenance. Experience in winter-based activity is especially helpful for the winter caretaker position.
Internship: N/A
Allowance/Housing: Condominium with full services. Internet WIFI. No pets allowed in state housing.
Time Commitment: October 15 through May 15.
Send Application to: Ranger Keith Wilson
Alaska State Parks - Chugach |
phone: (907) 345-5014 |
WINTER CARETAKER (1 position)
Park/Area: CHUGACH STATE PARK -- EKLUTNA LAKE
Eklutna Lake is located at the northern end of Chugach State Park, 36 "road" miles north of Anchorage. Winter activities include crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmachining, winter biking, camping, and more.
Main Tasks: Live at Eklutna Lake and perform daily maintenance of the facility. Contact park visitors and provide information, plow parking lots and park road, shovel/snow-blow trailhead facilities, assist ranger staff with ski trail grooming, snowmachine patrols, rental cabin maintenance, equipment maintenance, perform office tasks as needed. Caretaker also maintains additional trailheads in the north part of Chugach State Park.
Required Skills: Valid driver's license; the ability to work with minimal supervision; flexibility; good judgment. Ability and eagerness to learn mechanical and winter skills as needed. Must enjoy working with the visiting public and maintain a high standard for park maintenance. Desired Skills: Prior experience with snowmachines/ATVs; mechanical ability and familiarity with tools; First Aid/CPR certification; avalanche awareness and winter survival training; training provided to the right candidate.
Allowance/Housing: Subsistence payment, a rustic two-room 14' x 24' furnished cabin near the ranger station. Cabin has power and heat, landline phone, refrigerator, electric stove, though no indoor plumbing. Nearby Ranger station has drinking water, shower, washer-dryer, and internet access. No pets allowed in state provided housing.
Time Commitment: 6 months preferred, generally from mid October until mid April.
Send Application to:
Ranger Keith Wilson |
phone: (907) 688-0910 |
WINTER CARETAKER (1-2 positions)
Park/Area: CHUGACH STATE PARK - EAGLE RIVER NATURE CENTER - The half million acres that make up Chugach State Park are filled with rugged mountains, ice caps, and sweeping glaciers. Wildlife abounds, including brown and black bears, Dall sheep, mountain goats, moose, wolves, bald and golden eagles, and all five species of salmon. The Nature Center is operated by a non-profit Friends group in cooperation with Chugach State Park. The purpose of the Nature Center is to provide a safe environment in which park visitors can receive timely and accurate information and learn about the natural environment. Our priorities are friendliness, safety and quality.
Main Tasks: Live at the Eagle River Nature Center and perform daily maintenance of the facility and latrines in the area. Provide indoor information services (in person and over the phone, Friday-Sunday); operate cash register for snack, gift and membership sales. Light maintenance, including watering flowers, litter pickup, cleaning restrooms, emptying trash and vacuuming. Other tasks involve snow removal in the vicinity of the nature center, using a snowblower and snow shovels; provide a security presence; assist staff with patrol of the trails and trail maintenance.
Special Projects: Varies with the individual but could include leading winter recreational or naturalist programs if interested.
Desired Skills: Good public speaking skills and enthusiasm for working with the public; self-motivation; flexibility; good judgment; winter survival and recreational skills; good health and physical condition; ability to work independently, comfortable with using snow machinery. Possess a valid driver's license.
Requirements: Must be available during the week to maintain the facility and area - remove snow and assist staff when needed; available Fridays through Sundays from 9:30 am to 5:30 p.m. to work inside the center, as well as to assist with Friday evening astronomy programs 2 times a month.
Internship: Will assist volunteer in internship requirements and paperwork.
Allowance/Housing: Subsistence payment available. Upper floor room inside nature center with bed, desk, closets, and phone; modern restroom nearby; kitchen with some sharing; access to computer and TV/VCR; availability of vehicle to drive to Eagle River for errands (grocery shopping, laundry, etc); must be flexible and adaptable to living conditions because several other staff and local volunteers will be in and out of the building at various times of the day.
Time Commitment: October 1 through May 1, minimum time commitment.
Note:Additional information about the Nature Center can be found at www.ernc.org For specific questions contact Laura Kruger, Manager at admin@ernc.org. (Please include "Volunteer Inquiry" in the subject line). You may send applications up to one year in advance. We prefer to follow-up on preliminary applications by e-mail.
Application requirements: Completed Alaska State Parks application; short cover letter explaining your motivation for pursuing a volunteer position at the Nature Center and your dates/times available; a brief description of any special skills and related experience; and a resume limited to one page. Please do not send any additional information.
Send Application to: Laura Kruger, Manager
Eagle River Nature Center |
phone: (907) 694-2108 |
