Naturalist Guide

Overview

Kantishna Roadhouse (KRH) is a full-service, backcountry lodge located 90 miles inside Denali National Park. Due to the Denali Park Road closure, the lodge is accessible only by small aircraft, and employees should expect a truly remote, wilderness-based work environment. Because of this remoteness, staff are expected to live on-site for the entire season (approximately June 1 to September 15) with no ability to leave the park on days off. Employees may enjoy hiking and exploring the surrounding backcountry during their free time, but travel outside the park is not available. KRH operates with a small, close-knit team and hosts a limited number of guests, so every staff member plays a vital, hands-on role in daily lodge operations. Room and board are provided at no cost to employees.

JOB SUMMARY: The Naturalist Guide staff is responsible for providing safe and educational guided hiking and other interpretive experiences and activities for guests at Kantishna Roadhouse (KRH).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Exercise good judgment as to trail conditions, weather, large animal behavior and the physical limitations of individual guests when leading and/or assisting guests on hikes and in other activities.

• Facilitate on-property activities for guests with the highest level of professionalism and respect, communicating times and locations of all activities and events to guests.
• Responsible for the general maintenance, cleaning, and repair of all guest equipment to include bicycles, fishing gear, rain gear, waders, boots, kayaks, paddle boards etc. to ensure all equipment is safe and functional.

Use interpretive techniques to facilitate guests learning about Alaska and Denali’s unique culture, and to appreciate the complexities of all ecosystems.

• Provide formal and informal educational programs involving various aspects of Alaska and Denali National Park. Each Naturalist Guide is required to create an evening program for the guests and present that program on a regular basis.

Uphold National Park Service rules and regulations concerning the KRH concessions permit (training provided). Safely transport guests in vans on the Denali Park Road to and from trailheads, the airport, Wonder Lake, and the Fannie Quigley Cabin.

• Responsible for doing a pre-trip and post-trip inspection of the vans to include checking oil and other fluids, tire pressure and condition, etc.; and reporting any necessary maintenance to Maintenance for immediate attention.
• Responsible for cleaning (inside and out) of the KRH vans.

Move guest luggage to and from the van/cabins. Grounds and greenhouse maintenance as assigned.

Knowledge base should include, but is not limited to:

North American wildlife biology North American plant identification North American bird and bird song identification Alaska history: early humans, Indigenous People, subsistence, the economy, the Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act, and Doyon, Limited Native Corporation Denali National Park History: including the establishment of the National Park Service

Knowledge and experience in the use of maps and compass Knowledge of Leave No Trace principles appropriate to the sub-arctic. Other duties as assigned

DOYON CORE COMPETENCIES:

Commitment to Excellence – Identifies what needs to be done and takes action to achieve a standard of excellence beyond job expectations. Corporate Values- Understand, embraces, and integrates Doyon corporate values into everyday duties and responsibilities. Customer Service – Identifies and responds to current and future client needs by providing excellent service to internal and external clients.

Safety and Security – Promotes a safe work environment for co-workers and customers. Teamwork – Resourceful team player that builds, strengthens, and maintains collaborative relationships with others inside or outside the organization.

JOB-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Communication Skills - Listens, writes, and speaks effectively, and positively relates and interacts with co-workers and others. Decision Making - Makes choices or reaches conclusions by establishing objectives, gathering relevant information, identifying alternatives, setting criteria for the decision, and selecting the best option.

Dependability - Consistently adheres to operational standards, ensures smooth operations and positive customer experiences, builds a productive workplace, is reliable, and improves team morale. Independence - Works with minimal supervision.

• Process Improvement – Manages, leads and enables the process of change and transition while helping others to deal with the process.

SUPERVISION:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum age of 25 years BS (BA) in one of the natural sciences (will consider majors in other disciplines) Equivalent work experience or combination thereof will be considered Must possess a valid Driver’s license and be able to perform routine vehicle safety checks Must have current First Aid and CPR certifications; Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT preferred

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Kantishna Roadhouse provides a unique and challenging work experience. Each role is physically demanding with staff typically averaging 45-60+ hours per week, especially during the beginning and end of the season. The nature of our business requires every team member to be adaptable and versatile, making each day an exciting opportunity to learn and grow. Due to the Denali Park Road closure, access to Kantishna Roadhouse is by small aircraft only, which means that staff is expected to remain in Denali National Park and Preserve for the duration of the season.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: An individual will need to be able to quickly respond to a change in work demands. Work schedules may be long and intense and because of these demands and the amount of walking required, the ability to work long shifts (stamina), maintain high energy and a high fitness level are essential. Daily lifting and moving of luggage is required (50+ pounds). [Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions].

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: It is Doyon’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities. PREFERENCE STATEMENT: Doyon grants preference to qualified Doyon Shareholders first, and second to qualified shareholders of other Alaska Native corporations that grant a similar preference in all phases of employment and training, which include, but are not limited to hiring, promotion, layoff, transfer, and training.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

A review of this position has excluded marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.