Nature tour guides in Alaska

Summary of positions:
The tour guides are responsible for visitor management, public relations, and interpretive services for the visiting public.

Tour guides are responsible for conducting guided tours of St. Paul Island and the management and escorting of the tour groups. Heavy emphasis is on public relations and interpretive services covering the ecology and history of the island. Interpretive themes typically center on birds, marine mammals, and Aleut history. Under the Tour Director’s guidance tour guides make decisions concerning the daily scheduling of tour vehicles and participants based upon specific visitor requests and expectations.

Applicants must be willing to work in adverse weather conditions in a remote location. Normal conditions are overcast with drizzle, rain, or fog and an average high temperature during the summer of only 50 F. St. Paul Island is located over 750 miles from Anchorage within the Pribilof Islands and is only accessible by semi-weekly flights.

Duties:
1. Communicate and interpret to the visitor in a pleasant and informative manner information on the wildlife, natural history and cultural history of St. Paul Island. Provide exemplary customer service on a daily basis.
2. Work cooperatively with the Tour Director, other tour guides, the Hotel Manager and other TDX Corporation staff to give the best possible tour for the visitor. Guides are often an informal liaison between tourists, the tour program and local residents.
3. Educate the visitors on the delicate balance of the Bering Sea ecosystem, the fragile nature of the tundra, and the rich culture of the Aleut people, in a manner that is non-political and responsible.
4. Conduct both driving and walking tours of the island, especially to seal and sea bird rookeries. Many times such tours will occur during inclement weather.
5. Lead tours to search for vagrant and accidental species of birds both for organized birding groups and independent birdwatchers of varying interest, expectations and abilities.
6. Lead tours for groups of cruise ship passengers, Elderhostel participants, VIP’s and other special trips.
7. Tour guides are required to extensively read and research the major themes and topics of this tour. They should be prepared to spend at least some free time birding, botanizing and “naturalizing” in the field.
8. Assist Tour Director with various special projects and clerical duties designed to improve tour programs, as well as with all aspects related to visitor services. These duties may include cleaning tour vehicles and buildings, picking up garbage, and lifting up to 50lbs.
9. Tour guides are to drive a 22-passenger bus and be responsible for fueling and cleaning the bus, including regular upkeep of portable style “heads”. Occasionally light maintenance of these buses will be required. Defensive driving and safe operation of vehicles is required.



Job requirements:
¨ Two years college education in natural science or the equivalent in work experience, familiarity with Pribilof flora, fauna and history and/or a demonstrated ability to quickly learn and be comfortable explaining these subjects to groups of up to 40 people.
¨ Preference will be given to persons with strong birding skills and experience, knowledge of marine ecosystems, and those who can speak and/or write European languages.
¨ Ability to identify difficult groups of birds, including those in immature and juvenile plumage such as: gulls, shorebirds and Asiatic vagrants. Ability to scan bodies of water, shorelines and tundra and identify bird species in cryptic plumage.
¨ Strong communication, interpretive and people skills and willingness to work intensively with a diversity of people under difficult conditions is essential. Guides must have strong people skills.
¨ The ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision. The ability to live and work cooperatively and cheerfully with others from many different backgrounds with different abilities.
¨ Valid driver’s license required with a good driving record. Must be 21 years of age or older.
¨ Willingness to work up to seven days a week and long hours required, especially at the peak of tour season. The ability to work and function and maintain a sense of humor in adverse weather conditions. Guides should be in good physical condition.
¨ Must supply your own optics (binoculars and spotting scope) and rain gear.
¨ Native and Alaskan preference.

Living arrangements:
TDX Corporation will provide housing, meals, and transportation to and from St. Paul. Housing is dormitory style and will be shared with other tour guides.

Contact:
Send resume, cover letter, and 3 references to:

Scott Schuette
Director, St. Paul Island Tour
615 E 82nd Ave. Suite 200
Anchorage, Alaska 99518
sschuette@stpaultour.com