The Arctic Interagency Visitor Center is provided to the public through a successful tri-agency partnership between Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Park Service (NPS).
In this position you will represent the USFWS, and Arctic, Kanuti, and Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuges in Coldfoot, Alaska (18 weeks). You will serve the public from the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center (AIVC) front desk, greeting visitors, answering questions, and inspiring visitors to make personal connections with all the USFWS managed lands and other nearby federal public lands like the Gates of the Arctic National Park (NPS) and the Dalton Highway Corridor (BLM).
As one of our team members, you’ll Interact with travelers from all over the world. The reasons for journeying north are as unique as the individuals who step through the door. Serve adventurers on once-in-a-lifetime trips or meet truckers who make their living on the infamous “Haul Road.” Working at the Arctic Interagency Visitor offers opportunities to explore wilderness outside your back door and build rural living skills in a small, welcoming community.
This position is eligible for the Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority for those 30 years old and under or up to 35 years old for veterans. Interns who successfully complete the internship term will earn a 2-year non-competitive hiring authority. The Public Lands Corps non-competitive hiring authority allows you to apply for permanent federal positions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other land management agencies.
Major duties include:
Create and present numerous weekly interpretive programs (sometimes using multiple modalities; training and coaching provided)
Create or redesign an interpretive product such as a brochure, poster, education kit or temporary exhibit
Write interpretive messages for websites and social media
Care and cleaning of a beautiful, award-winning visitor center
Please note, work will occur entirely inside the AIVC or on nearby trails. The visitor center is located 250 miles north of Fairbanks, which is open 7 days a week from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Supervisors will aim to match intern work time and time off preferences, but limited staffing often makes meeting those preferences difficult or not possible. Accordingly, this internship requires someone with the ability to be flexible and comfortable with varied shifts for the entire internship – including morning, evening, and weekend shifts.
The selected intern will always collaborate with other volunteers and interns, but is expected to contribute a self-directed work style. The AIVC atmosphere is professional and teamwork-oriented, with three agencies (USFWS, NPS, and BLM) working together to serve the visiting public using the highest level of professionalism during all duties.
Applicants should be: 1) mature 2) able to maintain a positive attitude in challenging environments 3) comfortable with 24-hr sunlight 4) able to practice high emotional intelligence 5) able to be resilient while in a remote location with limited resources and cell/internet connectivity. 6) comfortable living alone (near others but without roommates).
For questions about this position, please contact Hanna McBrearty at 612-716-0409 or [email protected]
To learn more about USFWS, visit: www.fws.gov
To learn more about Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kanuti/ or https://www.facebook.com/Kanuti.Refuge/
To learn more about Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/yukon_flats/ or https://www.facebook.com/YukonFlatsNationalWildlifeRefuge
To learn more about Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/arctic/ or https://www.facebook.com/arcticnationalwildliferefuge/
To learn more about the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center, visit https://www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/arctic-interagency-visitor-center
To learn more about Gates of the Arctic National Park, visit: https://www.nps.gov/gaar/
To learn more about the Dalton Highway Corridor, visit: https://www.blm.gov/visit/dalton-highway
Compensation amounts:
$300 – weekly living allowance
$1,500 – one time RT travel allowance
$500 monthly housing allowance – to pay for BLM partner provided bunkhouse housing in Coldfoot
AmeriCorps eligible ($2,626.27 education award)
*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes
This position is Public Lands Corps eligible
*For SCA's COVID-19 guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid
Position ID: PO-00735833
Expected Dates: May 13, 2024 - September 14, 2024
Location:
USFWS Coldfoot Field Office
C/O Coldfoot Camp POB9037
Coldfoot, AK 99709-9800
US
Training Provided: USFWS training: natural and cultural history of federal lands, agencies missions, interpretation, wilderness awareness/safety, bear safety training, 1st Aid/CPR, defensive driving, aviation training, firearms training and range qualification. Possible ATV
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Ed opps include working closely with three federal land management agencies, learning about their differing missions, priorities, and cultures. Rec opps are mainly wilderness/outdoor activities. Interns are provided a bicycle for use in Coldfoot.
Professional Development Opportunities: There are robust opportunities for professional development and networking through organized field days or ride-alongs with biologists, law enforcement, or resource/recreation managers.
Handicap Accessible?: Yes
Main Area of Focus: Visitor Services and Site Operations
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Not needed
N/A
Housing or Stipend Provided?
C.Partner will pay the SCA to provide housing allowance for the member.
Housing in Coldfoot is a private, heated dry cabin with a twin bed and an outhouse (shared with one other person). Cooking stove (propane), refrigerator (propane), fuel (propane), basic cooking supplies, water-hauling containers, bedding and towels are provided at no cost to the intern. Cabins do not have running water, electricity or telephones; but the visitor center will be available 24-7 to the intern and visitor center staff. The visitor center is a five-minute walk from the cabin and has electricity, restrooms with flushing toilets, sinks with running hot and cold water, a hot shower in a private shower room, a staff clothes washing machine and dryer, and staff microwave, coffee maker, telephones, and wi-fi internet. Limited and/or weak cell service is available in the area – check with your cell service provider for more information.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: Yes