Current Jobs & Applications – now hiring for 2024!

Gastineau Guiding offers a wide variety of seasonal positions, from guiding to driving to operations. You can find details on our extensive training programs, plus all job descriptions below. If you have further questions before applying – about day to day life at GGC or the practical challenges of moving/working in Alaska – do not hesitate to contact us via email or phone (see application for contact details).

Who We’re Looking For

Thank you for considering spending a summer “Stepping into Alaska” with Gastineau Guiding Company. Working with small, personal groups of guests requires a responsible individual who is adaptable, enjoys learning, solving problems, and consistently demonstrates empathy and enthusiasm. We’re looking for people with a positive attitude and a playful spirit! Teamwork is key to our solid operational program. It takes a coordinated group effort to insure tour quality in an environment with many moving parts and daily challenges.

The desire and ability to share an understanding of the nature, history and story of the Tongass National Forest and the Juneau area is essential. Study, practice and planning are essential in developing your skill set. Providing excellent customer service, while giving each guest a safe, timely and enjoyable experience is always expected.

We also want to acknowledge that we’re a seasonal business, who operates 7 days a week between Late April – beginning of October. We’re looking for people who are ready to work and understand that running high-end small group tours requires being flexible and adaptable. Still, we’re one of the only companies in Juneau who promises you a set weekly work schedule, flexible 3-6 day workweeks and an employee time off policy – because we believe that even in the seasonal industry, a healthy work-life balance means happier, more passionate staff.

Learn more through our live group info sessions!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gastineau-guiding-virtual-info-session-tickets-758218972357?aff=oddtdtcreator

OPEN POSITIONS

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. Lead tours that cater to your expertise and interest. This position offers variety as you will be guiding on various trails which include the Moraine Ecology Trail, scenic West and East Glacier Trails, Mt. Roberts Loop Trail, the Rainforest Trail on North Douglas and possibly others. Since this tour is conducted on both land and seas, you will be on the water frequently. A willingness to train as a naturalist and obtain Coast Guard crew certification is mandatory. Guides are also responsible for operating company vehicles (14-28 passengers) for guiding and assisting to guide other tours, so having or obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License is a requirement of this position. CDL training can be provided in-house by GG, and requires a relatively ‘clean’ driving record. Interpretive certification(s) available.

Naturalist Photography Guide

Please note: All Gastineau Guides are trained as Naturalist Guides. Specialized guide training in photography allows for diversification in your guiding opportunities, but does not exclude you from those job’s requirements. Please review the Naturalist Guide job description (specifically the driving record and USCG requirements for hire).

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 visually demonstrating photographic techniques, to explaining the mechanics of the Mendenhall Glacier. The position requires a solid background in photography and strong interpersonal skills. Developing a media slideshow for instruction on tour is mandatory.

Naturalist Science Guide

Please note: All Gastineau Guides are trained as Naturalist Guides. Specialized science guide training allows for diversification in your guiding opportunities, but does not exclude you from those job’s requirements. Please review the Naturalist Guide job description ( specifically the driving record and USCG requirements for hire ).

Lead groups of people interested in giving back to the environment as they get hands on in Alaska’s glacial and marine environments. You will facilitate the gathering of raw, baseline data for local science organizations like NOAA, Alaska Sea Grant, UAF, ADEC, USFS, and Project Budburst. Marry meaning with adventure on this trip that operates at the Mendenhall Glacier and on the water of Stephen’s Passage. Educational background in the sciences is preferred.

Driver/2nd Guide

Our shuttle drivers are required to obtain a valid Alaskan CDL class C with Passenger Endorsement and Air Brakes Restriction (training provided through GGC). Drivers are required to train as a “Second Naturalist guide” for land portions of our Alaska’s Whales & Rainforest Trails tour, so this position does require lots of walking and basic Naturalist training. This is a good opportunity for those who would like to gain a season of practical experience before jumping full force into guiding.

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 and being a part of a team environment. Full time positions are 5-6 days per week. Part Time or “On-Call” positions are also open.

Scheduler/Daily Coordinator (Supervisory Position)

Work in Gastineau Guiding’s bustling tour office to create and facilitate the smooth operation of the daily schedule. This fast-paced job requires knowledge of every aspect of Gastineau’s operations, including tours, guides, captains, dock reps and ship contacts. Supervise the overall operations of this bustling business as you respond to the unexpected occurrences of daily life, coordinating with all parties to make changes to the daily schedule or respond to emergencies as needed. Dispatchers/Schedulers may also assist managers in a wide variety of projects. Applicants should have a strong analytical ability, be able to juggle tasks well, keep a cool demeanor under pressure and enjoy a job that is always changing! This position has a set weekly schedule with 5 days on/2 days off, though overtime should be expected.

Dock Representative

Represent Gastineau as the first point of contact for the 40,000+ passengers that tour with us each year! Assist with day-to-day tour operations on the cruise ship docks, assisting and entertaining passengers in the short period before their tour departs and acting as liaison with cruise line representatives before, during and after tours have departed. Dock reps help to foster sales and settle daily accounting with cruise lines, as well as prepping and monitoring inventory of tour snacks and supplies or other administrative duties as assigned. Must enjoy working in a fast paced environment while maintaining a positive and professional attitude. Full-time positions work 5 days/week, between 40-55 hours a week.

Maintenance Mechanic 

Be a part of the small but key team that keeps us moving. Must be mechanically inclined, with outboard and light marine repair experience preferred. Must have an AK state driver’s license. Work includes scheduled maintenance and light repair for marine vessels, buses, vans and facilities. Strong organizational skills and basic computer skills required.

How to Apply

We offer our applications in three formats so you can choose what software works best for your device.

You can download an application in Microsoft Word or PDF format, then email it to summerjobs@gguiding.com. (A note to Mac users: “.pages” applications do not format the application correctly.) You can also use our Google Form option, which will automatically notify us once you complete the application. Please note: once you start the Google Form, you must complete it entirely and submit; you cannot go ‘backwards’ and edit.

For MS Word: Please download & save, fill out and e-mail to summerjobs@gguiding.com

For PDF:  Please fill out and fax or mail by post OR scan & email to summerjobs@gguiding.com

Questions? Our employment email and phone number are available on the application.  

Gastineau Guiding is an equal opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees