Individual Placement - Cowanesque Lake Recreation and Visitor Services Placement

Position Summary 

Experience the adventure and beauty of Alaska’s vast wilderness through a placement with the Interpretation team at Denali National Park!

 

This position is in the park entrance area, working at the Denali Visitor Center and nearby locations. You’ll join a team of dedicated rangers working with visitors on their “trip of a lifetime” to interior Alaska.

 

Location 

Denali National Park, AK

 

Schedule 

April 13, 2026 - November 21, 2026

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

During a typical placement, you’ll hone public speaking and communication skills by providing orientation and safety information and park fee/pass services to visitors at the visitor center, roadside check station and over the phone (40%); develop original, formal interpretive/education programs such as a trail hike, campground program and present in-person programs for visitors (25%); project work to sustain interpretation team operations and activities (20%); and rove/hike park trails to make informal visitor contacts (15%).

 

During project time, the participant will assist with electronic requests for park information, help with data collection efforts to monitor vehicle impacts to the Denali Park Road at the Check Station, and complete other tasks depending on interpretation team needs and the participant’s interests.

 

Marginal Duties 

In addition to training and experience working in interpretation and education, you’ll have the chance to shadow other NPS jobs and help with their work projects to have some hands-on experience in a variety of NPS career fields. Examples include: shadowing wildlife technicians working with the public on wildlife safety, helping the invasive species plant crew to remove plants and assisting for a day with wildlife-vehicle interaction observations with the park’s road ecology team.

 

Required Qualifications 

Denali seeks a candidate with strong skills or experience in the following areas:

· Ability to manage and complete a daily list of detailed tasks

· Confidence and experience with public speaking

· Comfortable working and hiking in remote wilderness

· A driver’s license and safe driving record

· Must be at least 18 years old

· Guiding and/or group management experience

· Naturalist/Environmental Education experience

· Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

· A desire to work independently and learn new skills

The individual placement will work a 40 hours per week schedule. Internet service and cell service is available in the area.

 

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 18 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. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

 

Preferred Qualifications 

· Basic First Aid (or higher) and CPR certifications (Placement may receive this training in the park if needed.)

 

Hours 

40 per week

 

Living Accommodations 

Employee will live in a cabin with one housemate - private bedroom, shared living room and kitchen. Restroom, shower and laundry facilities are in a separate structure a short walk from the cabin. Denali is remote. Some food and community services are available in the Nenana Canyon outside the park entrance, and there is a small grocery store in the town of Healy (10 miles north of park). Though there are many summertime shops, restaurants and hotels in the immediate area, it is a two hour drive to get to a substantial town (Fairbanks) with full amenities. It is a five hour drive to get to the state’s major airport hub in Anchorage. This position extends into autumn, a time with fewer services, a smaller staff in park and the potential for cold temperatures and snowy conditions.

 

Compensation  

$1,300 - one-time roundtrip travel allowance

$600/wk - weekly living allowance

$5,176.50 - internship completion bonus (equivalent to a 32-week AmeriCorps Award; dependent on satisfactory completion of internship)

$250 - duty-related reimbursements for uniform items

Housing provided

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

 

Personal Vehicle Information

Not needed

 

Additional Benefits 

Bear Safety

First Aid/CPR

Interpretive Skills

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.