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Position: Denali Education Program Coordinator
Location: Denali, Murie Science and Learning Center
Details: Permanent, Full time (40 hours/ week), year-round position with 60-day furlough
Alaska Geographic seeks a dynamic individual to coordinate our diverse science education programs in Denali National Park and Preserve. The position is based at the Murie Science & Learning Center (MSLC) in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska.
Alaska Geographic is a nonprofit partner for the National Park Service in Denali. In addition to supporting the education and research operations of the MSLC, Alaska Geographic’s partnership with NPS creates interpretive materials, exhibits, and operates a Park Store within Denali. Alaska Geographic’s office in Anchorage, oversees more than 40 retail locations throughout the state, as well as youth education programs in the Southcentral region.
The Murie Science and Learning Center is a cooperative effort of partners supporting education and research efforts in Alaska’s northern parks and public lands. Alaska Geographic supports the mission of the MSLC through a wide variety of education programs for all audiences. Our focus is to disseminate science through compelling and hands-on education offerings.
The Program Coordinator will work as a member of the Alaska Geographic and National Park Service education team on all aspects of education programs and management of the MSLC. Principle duties include staff supervision, coordinating logistics, risk management. Program delivery, and administrative tasks. The coordinator will work closely with the Denali Education Director to ensure cohesive staff culture, smooth and quality execution of programs, and collaborate on policy and program development.
AK Geo currently offers presentations for tour groups, guided excursions into the park, visitor services and programs located at the MSLC, and accredited multi-day field courses. We primarily serve adults but have some youth programming and hope to develop additional youth programming in the future.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Hire, supervise, and train seasonal education staff
- Coordinate all logistical aspects of the summer education programs including
- Oversee the maintenance and care of three program vehicles
- Oversee and support the purchase and organization of food and preparation supplies for single-day and multi-day programs
- Coordinate logistics with tour directors bringing groups to AK Geo programs
- Organize ten public presentations with Denali science experts each summer
- Maintain organization and care of supplies including first-aid kits, inReach devices, staff computers, AV equipment, and more
- On-call duties including responding to emergencies if they occur
- Develop and evaluate education programs
- Continue to strengthen the National Park Service partnership
- Deliver programming both regularly and as needed in the summer months
Qualifications:
- Excellent team management skills including the ability to train, support, and nurture seasonal staff who may be new to the field and/or Alaska
- Experience developing, coordinating and presenting science education and interpretive programs for youth and adults
- Ability to learn Alaska and Denali’s natural and human history
- Ability to organize, prioritize and efficiently complete multiple and diverse tasks
- Ability to track many important details and maintain a high degree of accuracy
- Exceptional communication and team-building skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft applications and common web-media
- Extensive wilderness experience including off trail travel, trip-leading and group management, risk management, and logistics coordination in remote settings
- Desire and ability to work and live in a remote location with extreme winter conditions
- CPR and first-aid certification is required, Wilderness First Responder is preferred
- A valid driver’s license with 5 years driving experience and a good driving record. Candidates with DUI/ DWI or other infractions are not eligible for hire.
- All employees must be fingerprinted, submit a federal background check, and receive clearance from the Department of the Interior
Position Details
The coordinator position has an intense summer season between May and August. It may require overnights on programs, work in the early mornings or late evenings, working a varied schedule, and overtime. In the fall and spring work hours are more flexible and regular. The position furloughs for two months in the winter- exact furlough dates will be arranged with the Director based on the employee and organizational needs. This position is eligible for one day/ week of remote work during the “off season” and is required to be on site for work otherwise.
Denali National Park and Preserve is 20 minutes from the town of Healy and 15 minutes from the unincorporated community of McKinley Village. This provides for a very small but vibrant community, year-round. Resources such as large shops, medical care, and other services are available in Fairbanks, approximately 2.5 hours’ drive away. There is no public transportation in the local area in the winter months and very limited options in the summer. A car is highly recommended.
This position requires someone who has experience living in remote locations, extreme winter conditions, and the ability to balance work responsibilities with their health and wellbeing.
- Exempt, salaried position 10 months/ year (two months of furlough taken in the winter)
- Starting salary $52,920 per year
- Employer sponsored health, vision, and dental benefits after 60 days of employment
- Employer sponsored 401K benefits after one year of employment
- Housing is not provided but temporary housing may be available to assist with the transition. Housing in the Denali area is challenging and may require living in a “dry cabin” without running water.
- We are currently seeking a candidate who can start in August 2023
Alaska Geographic is an equal opportunity employer.
