Naturalist

HAINES NATURALIST JOB DESCRIPTION 

 
TIMEFRAME: April - October 

QUALIFICATIONS: CPR & First Aid Certifications 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

The Naturalist’s main responsibility is to carry out the company’s mission of providing passengers with a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience. The naturalist will escort guests in buses, vans, and airporter vehicles on a series of trips which travel around to local attractions, visit outdoor recreation sites, stop at museums and take scenic drives as far as the summit of Chilkat Pass. Naturalists lead the guests through the entire tour, narrate during the drives, and assume responsibility for overall guest experience. In addition to providing an enjoyable and informative tour for the guests, naturalists are also responsible for logistical aspects of the tour such as taking and counting tickets, helping to set up and take down the lunches, escorting guests to the restrooms, etc. Naturalists are expected to obtain a CDL license; CDL training is provided by the company. 
 

REQUIREMENTS 

• Be at least 19 years old by April 2024 

• Must possess a valid passport and be able to enter Canada. 
• Completion of Haines Driver training program (minimum of 8 hours). 
• Must be willing to become certified or possess current certification in at least CPR and First Aid. 
• Drivers must demonstrate the ability to set up all of the various site elements including tables, PFD’s, food and follow low impact guidelines in bear country. 

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout each day. 
• Must be able to carry loads over uneven ground. 
• Prior guiding, leadership, and tourism experience are helpful. 
• Possess a friendly, outgoing, professional demeanor at all times during interactions with guests and other employees. 
• Good leadership skills, ability to communicate and facilitate groups up to 30 people. 

• Must possess a strong work ethic. 

JOB DUTIES 

• Have and maintain a clean driving record in order to be insured by CG company automotive insurance.  
• Must be a safe driver and obey all traffic laws. 
• Maintain an FMCSA approved logbook for driving hours. 
• Responsible for following a strict daily schedule. 

• Responsible for cleanliness and excellent maintenance of buses, tour equipment, and the locations that the tours visit. 
• Responsible for communicating all gear and vehicle issues to maintenance staff. 
• Complete appropriate driver checklists & paperwork at the end of each shift. 
• Collect waivers, tickets and making sure all guests have signed waivers. 
• Responsible for communicating all incidents to Haines Program Manager. 

• Guest safety first, then entertain guests, educate guests, and last but not least engage guests with questions. 
• Must at all times be clean, well-groomed, courteous, honest and reliable. 
• Must possess a positive attitude that is friendly, considerate, strong, and energetic.  
• Provide information about SE Alaska environment, history, and the surrounding flora and fauna. 

• Must possess the desire to continually improve his/her knowledge and skills. 
• Must be willing to work as a strong team member, assisting in the maintenance of group morale. 
• Help load and unload guests and gear throughout the trips. 
• Assist with other jobs/projects as needed by AMG administration, this may include but is not limited to: 

• Assisting with food prep for cruise program. 

• Associated program maintenance needs. 
• Non-CDL driving of passengers or equipment. 
• Assist with grounds/lodging maintenance, cleaning, and general support. 

• You may be required to cross train in other areas to assist with other tours.  

LIVING SPACE AND RENT STRUCTURE 

Haines housing options consist of our employee campground, we have a few campers/RVs for senior staff, and limited space for employees seeking to bring their own campervans/trailers/RVs, most 1st year staff camp in the wooded area encircling the campers/RV parking. The campground has (4) plumbed bathroom/shower units and a communal cooking area – due to the presence of bears in our area we prohibit cooking/food storage outside the communal cooking space. The campground is located on the same lot as our warehouse/office making the commute to work convenient for any staff planning to come to Alaska without a vehicle. There is a laundromat located within a short walk down the street. A guide room is located on the corner of the warehouse with access to WiFi. Our employees are also welcome to pursue their own housing options in town. 

Additional Notes 

• Rent deductions are made twice a month with 50% of the month’s rent deducted from the 1st and 2nd paycheck. 

• Rent is prorated for the first month, rent for the last pay period will be deducted in full even if you vacate housing early. 
• Employees must vacate housing within 48 hours of their final shift unless other arrangements have been approved by management. 
• Pets – Must be approved by management, approval may be rescinded if your pet causes problems or is not friendly towards humans and other animals.  
• Failure to abide by rules outlined in the employee manual and housing agreement may result in immediate expulsion from employee housing.