Alaska State Parks Seeking Applicants for Seasonal Jobs
Alaska State Parks is working to bolster its reduced traditional campground support and maintenance workforce with more Alaska Conservation Corps (ACC) positions to keep busy state recreational units open, safe, and clean.
The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation operates about 124 campgrounds and other facilities around the state. While some are open year-round, the demand for park services peaks during Alaska’s summer season.
The Division traditionally leans heavily on campground hosts, usually visitors from the Lower 48, to provide management, security, and other essential campground duties in exchange for the privilege of free or reduced-rate season-long camping, said Director Ricky Gease.
But the State’s COVID-19 response and the closure of the Alaska-Canada border has created a double-whammy, Gease said: Not only are there fewer campground hosts coming North to work at state parks, but vast numbers of Alaskans are enjoying “staycations” and using state parks for outdoor recreational activities in unprecedentedly high numbers.
Park staffers have worked hard to keep parks open and meet the demand. Park managers have asked the public to help by cleaning up after themselves and taking precautions necessary for the safety of all visitors. But the division has been unable to meet the increased workload, in some cases resulting in reduced services or even delays in opening some popular park units, Gease said.
In response, the division has decided to try to meet its needs by creating more ACC jobs, positions typically filled by Alaska and Lower 48 young adults eager to spend a summer working and recreating in Alaska.
“These jobs represent a tremendous opportunity for young people who value outdoor recreation, want to experience Alaska, and need good-paying, short-term employment, plus the opportunity to explore possible full-time careers,” Gease said. “I encourage anyone who has ever thought about working in a park ranger, administrator, maintenance, or supervisory position to contact our department and apply to join us in an ACC job.”
ACC job duties can range from office work to trail maintenance to cleaning to a variety of other duties as assigned, at starting pay of $16 per hour. To apply for an ACC position, go to dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/accinstr.htm
For questions please contact the hiring manager in the region you are seeking a position through or email wendy.sailors@alaska.gov.
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