Kennecott Visitor Services Seasonal Volunteer

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Spend your summer volunteering in the picturesque, historic and remote town of Kennecott, Alaska in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve!

Main Goals

Our seasonal volunteers work with the interpretation team at the visitor center in Kennecott, AK. They assist with visitor services related to resource education and conservation, visitor safety, resource management, trip planning, interpretive programs, and other related park work.

Description of Volunteer Work to be Performed

• Assist park visitors and serve as a front-line representative by providing accurate information on park resources and facilities, trip planning, special park programs (such as Junior Ranger, demonstrations, walks/talks), safety information, regulations and policies, cultural, historical, or natural science topics.
• Staff our information desk, which includes opening/closing the facility, answering phones, and orientation visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, and providing excellent customer service.
• Assist park staff in educating visitors to protect the resources of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
• Make informal visitor contacts while roving park locations.
• With provided training, the volunteer may research, prepare, and present formal and informal interpretive programs including talks and guided walks to a diverse audience while utilizing 21st century interpretive principles. (Optional)
• At all times serve as a positive team member and represent the park professionally and ethically.

Length of Commitment and Schedule

Our seasonal volunteer positions start in mid-May and last until mid-September. Volunteers are expected to contribute 36 hours per week (nine-hour days, 4 days a week). About 70% of the volunteer time will be spent in the visitor center, about 20% roving or delivering programs, and about 10% unlocking and locking historic buildings and exhibits. Volunteers will work an established schedule agreed upon in advance of starting position. Volunteer housing is in the town of McCarthy, about a 30 minute drive from the Visitor Center. A staff carpool is available to get to and from the duty station.

Physical Requirements of Work

The work is generally seated or standing in the visitor center and walking 1 to 2 miles a day (to open and close historic buildings and exhibits, rove through the mill town, and give programs.) While walking outdoors, volunteers will be exposed to the elements (sun, rain, wind, cold) and the wildlife (mosquitoes!). There may be mild lifting (no more than 45 lbs.) on an occasional basis.

Qualifications

Highly qualified applicants will have public speaking, writing, and research skills, and a friendly and cheerful personality to work well with the public. All volunteers must:

• Be at least 25 years old, enjoy people, and possess a desire to share their knowledge and educate others.
• Communicate effectively with the public and park personnel.
• Be able to answer repetitive questions about the park and its resources in a caring and professional manner.
• Be mature, reliable, punctual, and perform desk duties as scheduled.
• Be able to remain calm and courteous during occasional hectic or emergency situations.
• Be able to receive instructions and work independently.
• Be willing to live in a remote area with minimal amenities and be able to live in shared, rustic housing.
• Have a valid driver’s license and complete an online safe-driving training upon arrival.
• Be willing and able to successfully undergo a background investigation to obtain a Personal Identity Verification card to access government computers and handle documents that contain Personally Identifiable Information.

Training and Development Provided

The supervisor and other park staff will provide on the job training, as well as formal training as a team.

Computer security training is required for volunteers using a government computer.

Location

This seasonal volunteer position is located in Kennecott, AK. Staff and Volunteer housing is 30 minutes away in McCarthy, AK. McCarthy and Kennecott are both found at the end of the 59 mile, mostly unpaved, McCarthy Road in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The road can be challenging to drive and occasionally closes due to landslides. There is limited cell service ( Verizon is the only carrier) and limited local amenities. There are a few seasonal restaurants and a convenience store, but the nearest grocery store and gas station are over two hours away. Despite its small size, McCarthy has a lively summer community, with music and other events throughout the season, and is an excellent launching pad to explore the nearby trails and back country of Wrangell-St. Elias.

Housing

Volunteer housing is provided, but rustic. Park housing in McCarthy is "off grid" and the park provides treated water, and electricity via generators and solar energy. Power consumption is a very real concern for our employees & local residents. Volunteers will stay in a small, private, one-room cabin for sleeping, and use a larger communal housing building for their kitchen, common area, and washrooms. The private cabin has propane lights and heat, and no electricity. The larger communal house has electricity for charging. There are laundry facilities on-site; there is no wireless internet. Volunteers should bring their own linens and towels and other special equipment they might need.

Benefits to the Volunteer

• Live and work in a beautiful, remote, and historic part of Alaska inside our country's largest national park.
• Discover the history and natural resources of this unique place.
• Work with a small, dynamic visitor services team.
• Three days off each week to explore the trails and area around McCarthy and Kennecott.

Other Considerations

• The volunteer position comes with park housing, but we may be able to accommodate an RV or camper/trailer, without hook-ups (bathrooms, shower, kitchen, and laundry are all available in the main housing building).
• While it is technically on the road system, McCarthy, AK is in a very remote area, and travel to and from there can be difficult. Limited public shuttles are offered, and most seasonal staff and volunteers bring the majority of the food and supplies they will need for the season with them when they arrive.
• Seasonal volunteers may be reimbursed (up to $500) for their travel expenses from their home to McCarthy, AK at the beginning of the volunteer season.
• This is a remote site with a small staff. You will spend a lot of time with the volunteers and staff that you are working and living with. Communication and respect are important skills for this position.

Start Date - 2025-05-12

End Date - 2025-09-12