Individual Placement-Alaska-Winter Interpretation Ranger

Position Summary 

Join the team at the Tongass National Forest’s Southeast Alaska Discovery Center (SEADC) in Ketchikan and work in the largest visitor centers in Alaska! We’re seeking two people enthusiastic about sharing the state’s cultural heritage, economic diversity and natural beauty with Discovery Center visitors.

During the off-season, SEADC remains busy with multiple weekly homeschool programs, a weekly community-based Friday Night Insights lecture series (think Tedtalk’s more casual little brother), and monthly art classes. Our facility also co-hosts larger events including rotating art shows in our exhibits, movie nights, workshops, or even a haunted house. We begin preparing for cruise ship season in late winter. Exhibits are revitalized and annual chores are checked off. The off-season officially ends with our Alaska Hummingbird Festival, a month-long birding extravaganza celebrating the 5 billion birds who migrate to Alaska each year.

From our landmark downtown location, we are surrounded by the largest in-tact temperate rainforest in world. The Tongass National Forest’s 17 million acres spans the majority of Southeast Alaska. While winter may not be thought of as the ideal recreation or wildlife viewing season in Alaska, there are amazing experiences that come with the quieter seasons.

Hosting Organization

Tongass National Forest

Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

Location 

Ketchikan, AK

• This position is primarily in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are available within 30 minutes . Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.
• This position may conduct work in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are readily accessible. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.

• This position may conduct work in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.

Schedule 

November 1, 2026 - May 1, 2027

There is flexibility in the start date to begin in October or as late as November 15. Positions will have to end by mid-May to make room in the bunkhouse for summer staff.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Welcome and orient visitors, open and close visitor center, provide information, and show refuge film.

• Participates in the development and management of a high-quality Interpretative Center by orienting and guiding visitors along their trip or about their backyard. Create and present interpretive programs on a variety of Southeast Alaska topics.

• Run the day-to-day operations of the Discovery Center, including checking admission tickets, answering visitor questions, maintaining the grounds, and operating audio-visual equipment.

• Assist the Discovery Center’s Director and Assistant Director with creating programs and activities.

• Curate interpretive content for exhibits. Maintain museum exhibits.

• Assist with planning and presenting special events and activities within the Discovery Center.

Marginal Duties 

While this is a front-country position focused inside the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, we will try our best to offer chances to explore other professions and projects within the Tongass National Forest and with our partners. It is our goal to help you make the most of your time here and explore beyond our Visitor Center. The following is a list of example activities that may be offered based on the participants’ interest and our schedule availability.

• Identify potential partnership activities within the local community. Maintain relationships with local partners (such as museums, state and local government, schools, and non-profit organizations). This could include visiting local schools, guest hosting a ranger themed radio show, helping our history museum with hanging their new summer exhibit, or representing the Forest Service at a career fair.

• Create and present outdoor environmental education programs at our Ward Lake location.

• Develop content for the Discovery Center’s strategic marketing, including updating the Forest’s social media streams.

• Record or present virtual programs for distant learning in classrooms throughout Alaska.

• Seek out trainings that would advance your career and meet the Visitor Center’s needs.

Required Qualifications 

Strong communication skills. Great public speaking skills, or the willingness to build this skill. It is strongly recommended candidates be enthusiastic with the idea of living in a secluded, small town.

Preferred Qualifications 

Familiarity with the geography, cultures, and ecology of Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska.

General Physical Requirements

• Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies. 
• Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program. 
• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, and appropriate footwear.Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others. 
• Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time. 
• Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others. 
• Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions. 
• Able to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration throughout program time.
• If using prescription medications, able to self-administer medications by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance. If prescription medication is administered via injection, able to self-administer the injection.
• Able to independently carry a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight over varied, loose, inclined terrain for up to a maximum of 15 miles per day with adequate breaks.
• Able to lift a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight with minimal assistance from others.
• Able to correctly wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) according to US Coast Guard specifications. Additionally, some motorized boats require passengers to be able to wear an ATV-style helmet.
• If intentionally or unintentionally submerged, maintain a face-up position in the water, and make progress through the water to shore or a rescue boat while wearing a Personal Flotation Device. 
• Able to maintain a secure airway in the event of sudden water submersion. 
• Able to re-board or enter a boat or watercraft from the water after training and orientation to the boat’s safety procedures and safety equipment.
• Able to correctly wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) according to US Coast Guard specifications. Additionally, some motorized boats require passengers to be able to wear an ATV-style helmet.
• If intentionally or unintentionally submerged, maintain a face-up position in the water, and make progress through the water to shore or a rescue boat while wearing a Personal Flotation Device. 
• Able to maintain a secure airway in the event of sudden water submersion. 
• Able to re-board or enter a boat or watercraft from the water after training and orientation to the boat’s safety procedures and safety equipment.

Working Conditions

• Work schedules and projects may change on short notice or be ambiguous.;Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying perspectives.;Work settings may be located in natural environments and regionally significant locations that require respect for the land and local peoples.;Work environment may be in inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, lightning events, and/or decreased or inclement air quality conditions due to wildfire smoke or smog.;Work settings may involve exposure to natural and environmental hazards, such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac; harmful, poisonous, or disease-carrying ticks, mosquitos, insects, snakes, bears, and other wildlife.;Work may take place in cold temperatures and adverse winter weather which could include temperatures in some regions -20°F or colder with wind, snow, and sleet. 

Hours 

40 per week

Staff at the SEADC operate on a maxi-flex schedule. We work as a team to ensure the Visitor Center is covered during operating hours and special events while allowing for staff leave and flexibility.

Living Accommodations 

The Bunkhouse:

Housing includes a fully furnished bunkhouse with housemates. Rooms may be shared with one other person of the same gender. As a winter placement, it is likely you will have a solo room throughout most of your position, but this is not guaranteed. Common areas, including the kitchen, living room, and bathroom are shared. There are two separate gendered multi-person bathrooms and one private unisex bathroom. The bunkhouse includes laundry facilities. Bedding and towels are provided. There is one ADA accessible room and bathroom.

Housing is located within walking distance of two grocery stores, a mall, a few restaurants, and a hospital. Outside of the bunkhouse is a bus stop on Ketchikan’s year-round public transit system. It takes about 10-15 minutes to navigate to the downtown Discovery Center from the bunkhouse by bus or about a 45-minute walk.

Compensation  

$475/week living allowance

$400/month housing allowance (6 months)

$1500 one-time roundtrip travel stipend

$400 duty-related reimbursements

AmeriCorps Eligible ($3,697.50 Award requires 900 hours of service)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Driving

Driving is not required

Additional Benefits 

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.