Alaska State Parks Winter Volunteer Program Positions
Winter Camp Host/Caretaker
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WINTER CAMP CARETAKER/HOST (1 full time volunteer position)
Park/Area: STARRIGAVAN RECREATION AREA, SITKA, ALASKA
Enjoy and experience a winter volunteering in Southeast Alaska. Live in a quaint cabin 7 miles from Sitka, Alaska. Sitka is located in the panhandle of islands adjacent to the British Columbia coast and is only accessible by air or boat.
The Starrigavan Recreation Area is a joint management venture between the USDA Forest Service and Alaska State Parks. The recreation area offers 2 ¼ miles of loop trails adjacent to 34 campsites, 1 public recreation log cabin and 6 picnic sites with the recreation area (slightly more than ½ mile in length) receiving a phenomenal amount of day use activity in the fall and winter season. Interact with campers, hikers, artesian well users, dog walkers, health walkers and other recreation area users.
Main Tasks: Live within recreation area providing a Forest Service presence; assist in deterring criminal mischief and vandalism of facility; contact Forest Service staff or appropriate authorities in case of problems or emergencies; monitor light maintenance needs at host cabin; meet and greet visitors; daily monitor water system, facility use and keep appropriate records; monitor and post incoming camping reservations; check in/out reservations for rental log cabin, stock rental log cabin with split firewood; collect and process camping/log cabin fees; light maintenance includes cleaning fire rings, restrooms, campsites, rental log cabin after each reservation; removing leaf litter from boardwalk trail in fall (gas powered leaf blower provided) within the recreation area; open and close access gates daily in daylight hours when there is no snow; provide own snow removal at host cabin living quarters with government provided Kubota RTV (previous ATV/UTV/small tractor experience required) fitted with a plow. Snowfall begins about mid November at which time daily duties are completed via walking over packed snow/ice on the access road ¼ mile to monitor water system, stock firewood for rental log cabin (multiple times a week), check on rental log cabin and monitor for any emergency maintenance needs; plow snow in host cabin parking lot and on host cabin access driveway as it falls which can take anywhere from 2-4 hours a day.
Desired Skills: Experience with gas powered equipment; Experience operating any of the following: ATV/UTV/riding power equipment; outdoor winter enthusiast; comfortable living alone remotely (7 miles from Sitka) during shortest days of the year (6 hours daylight December and January).
Internship: Not applicable.
Housing: Volunteer lives in a small panabode style cabin (1 bedroom, kitchen/living/office area, bath and laundry) within the recreation area with all utilities furnished. Oil heat, electrical lights, phone (local calls only); indoor plumbing; other amenities available; requires conservative use of cabin water system. Adults and non-smokers only; no pets.
Allowance: Choice of either negotiated travel payment or reimbursement on Alaska Marine Highway to and from Sitka for self and vehicle 19 feet or less or daily/monthly reimbursement possible.
Time Commitment: 6.5 months, Late September through early April.
Note: Personal vehicle required for transportation. Applications accepted through July 1st or until filled. State Park application may be used to apply for this position.
Send Application to: Attn.: Mike Mullin, Natural Resource Specialist
USDA Forest Service, Sitka Ranger District |
phone: (907) 747-4274 |
