Experience the adventure and beauty of Alaska’s vast wilderness through an internship with the Interpretation team at Denali National Park!
You’ll join a team of dedicated rangers working with visitors on their “trip of a lifetime” to interior Alaska. During a typical internship, you'll hone public speaking and communication skills by providing orientation and safety information and park fee/pass services to visitors at the visitor center, check station or over the phone (40%), develop original, formal interpretive/education programs such as a trail hike, campground program and present in-person programs for visitors (25%), project work to sustain interpretation team operations and activities (20%), and rove/hike park trails to make informal visitor contacts (15%). Additionally, the participant will work collaboratively with other interpreters to contribute to the park's social media outreach program, trying to connect virtual visitors with Denali. During project time, the participant will assist with electronic requests for park information, help with data collection efforts to monitor vehicle impacts to the Denali Park Road at the Check Station, and complete other tasks depending on interpretation team needs and the participant's interests.
In addition to training and experience working in interpretation and education, you'll have the chance to shadow other NPS jobs and help with their work projects to have some hands-on experience in a variety of NPS career fields. Examples include: shadowing wildlife technicians working with the public on wildlife safety, helping the invasive species plant crew to remove plants and assisting for a day with wildlife-vehicle interaction observations with the park's road ecology team.
This position is in the park entrance area, working at the Denali Visitor Center and nearby locations.
Denali seeks an intern with strong skills or experience in the following areas:
· Ability to manage and complete a daily list of detailed tasks
· Confidence and experience with public speaking
· Comfortable working and hiking in remote wilderness
· A driver’s license and safe driving record
· Guiding and/or group management experience
· Basic First Aid (or higher) and CPR certifications
· Naturalist/Environmental Education experience
· Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
· A desire to work independently and learn new skills
The Intern will work a 40 hours per week schedule. Internet service and cell service is available in the area.
Denali is remote. Some food and community services are available in the Nenana Canyon outside the park entrance, and there is a small grocery store in the town of Healy (10 miles north of park). Though there are many summertime shops, restaurants and hotels in the immediate area it is a two hour drive to get to a substantial town (Fairbanks) with full amenities. It is a five hour drive to get to the state’s major airport hub in Anchorage. This internship extends into autumn with fewer services, a smaller staff in park and has the potential for cold temperatures and snowy conditions.
Compensation amounts:
$1300 – one time RT travel allowance
$400 – weekly living allowance
$250 – work attire allowance
$2474.27 – internship completion and performance bonus (dependent on satisfactory completion of internship)
Housing provided
*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes
*This position is not eligible for AmeriCorps.
*For SCA's COVID-19 guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid
Position ID: PO-00735353
Expected Dates: June 5, 2023 - October 14, 2023
Location:
55998 Denali Park Road
Denali National Park, AK 99755
US
Training Provided: Hands-on training on interpretation skills and the natural/cultural history of Denali. Formal training in handling park fees. Additional training available such as working with or shadowing other park work teams.
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Denali offers fantastic hiking and wilderness backpacking. Biking, rafting, pack rafting, ‘adopting’ & walking a park sled dog are available in summer. Evening speakers present on relevant science topics.
Handicap Accessible?: Yes
Main Area of Focus: Education and Interpretation
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Not Eligible
Driving Logistics: Not needed
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
Housing consists of a small cabin with two private bedroom and shared common area (living room and kitchen). The intern will have a roommate. There is a short walk to shared bathhouse with showers, toilets and laundry. At the start and end of the summer season the cabin kitchen will be 'dry', meaning the resident will haul water from the shower house for use in the cabin. Once temperatures moderate, the kitchen sink will have running water in the cabin from June to late September. A common area with recreation equipment is located near the cabins and a small gym is a short walk away.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: Yes