Employment
General Information
Working in the Alaska tourism business is demanding, fast-paced and challenging. The work is people intensive and requires a responsible individual with an open mind, flexible schedule, positive attitude and a fun spirit. Strong communication skills are mandatory and a professional attitude and appearance must always be maintained. The desire and ability to share knowledge of the Tongass and the Juneau area is essential. Providing excellent customer service, while offering a safe and enjoyable experience is the basis of the job. It is important to be mentally prepared and at your best under all circumstances.
Knowledge
Employees involved in guiding and those working in the Nature Center should have a strong knowledge of and great interest in the natural and cultural history of Southeast Alaska. Gastineau Guiding provides extensive training in late April of each season. The training is provided free of charge and is required for early season hiring eligibility.
Positions
Gastineau Guiding offers seasonal positions as Naturalist Guides, Nature Center Interpreters/Sales Staff, Dock Representatives, Boat Captains, Naturalist Photography Guides, Shuttle Drivers, a Maintenance Supervisor and a Bookkeeper. FT and PT positions are available.
Job Descriptions
Naturalist Guide
Lead groups on interpretive natural, cultural and historical walks, hikes and whale watching tours. Share expertise on all ecosystem types in the Juneau area, including the alpine, sub-alpine, rainforest and coastline. This position offers variety, as you will be guiding on various trails which include the Mt. Roberts Loop Trail, the Rain Forest Trail on North Douglas Island, historic Perseverance Trail, scenic West and East Glacier Trails and possibly others. Drive and operate company vehicles for guided tours, if eligible. CIG certification available through the National Association of Interpretation (see Links).
Nature Center Interpreter/Sales Staff
Present formal and informal interpretive programs through visitor interactions, video & slide shows, and deck talks. Provide current trail information to visitors and assistance to guides. Perform first aid as needed and assure safety on the mountain. Perform specific retail functions based on everyday operations such as working the computer register and credit card machine; answering the phone and visitor questions; stocking, pricing, inventory and other duties as assigned. Guide natural history walks through the alpine ecosystems on the Mt. Roberts Loop Trail as needed.
Dock Representative
Assist with day-to-day tour operations on the docks. Act as the first point of contact for all Gastineau Guiding visitors. Foster sales and settle daily accounting and port-of-call issues with cruise line representatives. Complete daily guide schedule and update database. Carry out other administrative duties as assigned.
Boat Captain
25-ton certification required. Experience in local waters preferred. Captain a covered rigid hulled inflatable vessel for various wilderness tours within Stephens Passage. Knowledge of marine maintenance and care a plus. Must be flexible, outgoing and enjoy working with the public.
Naturalist Photography Guide
Lead small groups on tours to Juneau’s hot spots while working to improve their photography skills. Responsibilities include everything from instructing guests on how to use their equipment, to explaining the mechanics of the Mendenhall Glacier. Since this tour is conducted on both land and sea, you will be on the water almost daily. The position requires a solid background in photography and strong interpersonal skills. A willingness to train as a naturalist and obtain Coast Guard crew certification is mandatory. Drive and operate company vehicles for guided tours, if eligible. You may be asked to fill in as a Naturalist Guide when needed.
Maintenance Supervisor
Monitor and maintain a vehicle fleet of 16 and a nautical fleet of 4. Complete repairs, scheduled services and related projects. Supervise bus washing and Nature Center freight delivery. Maintain facilities as required.
Bookkeeper
Our only 9 to 5 job. Applicants should have experience with A/R and basic accounting functions. Familiarity with MS Access and Quickbooks a plus. Organizational skills, a positive attitude and good customer service skills required.
All employees must be certified in First Aid and CPR.
Employment Application
Download an employment application in either Microsoft Word or PDF format.
Application MS Word Please download & save, fill out and e-mail to tour@gguiding.com.
Application PDF (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view). Please fill out and fax or mail by post.
Our contact information is available in the Contact Us page.