Individual Placement-Alaska-Anan Creek Interpretation Ranger

Student Conservation Association•Wrangell, AK

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Placements will assist Tongass National Forest staff with visitor services at Anan Wildlife Observation Area. This will include greeting outfitters and clients while checking their permits, providing mandatory safety briefings for all guests, and spending time at the bear observation deck to answer visitor questions, provide informal interpretation, and ensure the safety of both visitors and bears. Placements will also collect important visitor and bear data, learning to identify individual brown and black bears for research purposes. Placements should be available to start on May 25th and able to stay until August 30th. There may be some flexibility with dates, but placements must be available at least through the end of the permit season on August 25th. During permit season (July 5th to Aug 25th), the crew works eight 10-hour days followed by 6 days off. This is subject to change. A flexible work schedule will be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours, including weekends and/or holidays. Before and after the permit season, the crew generally works a regular five-day, 8-hour workweek, but this is also subject to change. Location Wrangell, AK

Requirements

This is a rifle/shotgun bearing position – therefore, candidates need to be comfortable handling federal firearms and working around both brown and black bears after receiving USFS bear safety training. Selected candidates will be subject to a drug test after hiring.
Must be comfortable with public speaking in front of large crowds.
Must be comfortable on boats. Travel to Anan is a 1.5-hour boat ride from Wrangell. At Anan, candidates will be trained to operate a small skiff boat for daily use.
Able to handle stressful situations while remaining calm and able to prioritize responsibilities.
Willing and able to represent the Forest Service in a professional and positive manner.
Able to write legibly.
Participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger.
Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience interacting with the public or working in a customer service setting.
Experience working in outdoor settings under adverse weather conditions.
Strong interpersonal, oral, listening, and written communication skills.
Experience collecting data.