Glacier Guide
Above and Beyond Alaska LLC
Auke Bay, Alaska and Juneau, Alaska
Norris Glacier Guide - Join Juneau's Top Rated Guiding Outfitter!
Job Starts: May 23, 2024
Above & Beyond Alaska Wilderness Adventures
Above & Beyond Alaska Wilderness Adventures
Above & Beyond Alaska (ABAK) is a locally owned and operated guiding company based in Juneau. We've been facilitating outdoor adventure experiences on the ocean and ice since 2002. Our small group adventures include canoeing on a glacial lake, hiking near and on the Mendenhall Glacier, kayaking to humpback whale feeding grounds, and brown bear viewing on Admiralty Island.
Nestled between the Icefield and the Pacific Ocean, Juneau, AK is a bustling community of outdoor enthusiasts that take advantage of long summer days to explore the temperate rainforest, glacial ecosystems, and world-class paddling areas.
- Location
- Alaska
- Season
- Summer
- Staff size
- 40
- Housing
- Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
- Housing details
- Campground - at discounted rate
- Pet friendly
- Yes
- Meals
- None
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Good
About Above & Beyond Alaska Wilderness Adventures
Above and Beyond Alaska (ABAK) is a top-rated, small-group, wilderness guiding company located in Juneau, Alaska. We were voted as the 10th best kayak tour company in 2021 by USA Today's Readers Choice!
We have been exploring the Juneau Icefield, Tongass National Forest, and Inside Passage since 2002, and are celebrating 21 years in business this summer.
While experience is preferred, it's not required to work with us. We'll train exceptional individuals who are punctual and professional, dedicated to working outside, and thrive as part of a cohesive team. We're committed to finding the best people who can contribute to our positive, safe, and supportive work environment.
All applicants, regardless of experience, must share our passion for promoting environmental conservation through education.
The Employee Experience
The Job
Above and Beyond Alaska prioritizes safety and environmental stewardship. Our comprehensive guide training program provides novice and experienced guides an opportunity to develop technical skills and a sound, working knowledge of Juneau's diverse ecological zones. This extensive training program is paid and takes place during the last week of April. All non-guide staff training will occur on the job and commence on the first day of employment.
Our management team is dedicated to empowering our team members, contributing to a solution-oriented environment, and consistency in mutual expectations. Our work environment is both independent and team-oriented. Self-directed individuals who also excel when collaborating or supporting coworkers thrive in our workplace.
While most of our guests are from out-of-town, Above and Beyond Alaska is deeply connected with the Juneau community and is actively involved with non-profit educational and support groups for children and adults.
We love to collaborate, have fun, and work hard.
Living in Juneau
Our landscape is diverse - when you're not kayaking to an uninhabited island or exploring the deep blue of a glacier, hike to the top of the Coastal Mountains on Juneau's seemingly endless trail system or find a remote beach at the end of our road system. The outdoor enthusiast will find no shortage of activities to fill their free time, or companions to recreate with. We strive to schedule 1 - 2 days off per week throughout the summer so our team can relax, recharge and explore.
Ideal Candidate
Our team members:
- Love to teach.
- Seek diversity in coworkers and clientele
- Prioritize Safety
- Have a background as a naturalist, outdoor educator, or environmental advocate
- Demonstrate conservative judgment and decision making
- Value organization in their professional lives.
- Speak more than 1 language
- Communicate effectively with each other
- Find joy in making others smile
- Are honest, compassionate, hardworking, and attentive to detail.
- Love to learn.
All applicants must be 21 years of age or older and a United States Citizen (or be eligible to work in the US). Applicants must also possess a valid driver’s license, a driving record free of moving violations in the past 5 years, and the medical certification pertinent to their desired position. See job descriptions for additional requirements.
Exceptional individuals younger than 21 years of age or without a driver’s license may be considered – please email info@beyondak.com before applying.
Above and Beyond Alaska does not currently sponsor any type of work visa.
Room and Board
We provide campground housing for an additional fee. You can pitch a tent, drive your car, or bring an RV/Camper up to Juneau and you can park it at our partner campground for the summer.
Juneau is a seasonal destination for government workers in the winter, and tourism-based crews in the summer. While ample housing is available for seasonal workers, the best opportunities go fast! Upon hire, we recommended pursuing housing opportunities immediately - we can help connect you with realistic housing options, and will do everything we can to help you find a place to lay your head.
The cost of living in our land and water-locked community is a bit higher than down south. Everything arrives in Juneau by boat, barge, or airplane.
Employee Perks
- Competitive Wages in the Industry
- Optional 401K plan
- End of Season Bonus, Pro-Deal Purchasing Privileges
- Free Trips for you, your friends and family on a space-available basis
- Paid Training (Preseason, and Ongoing throughout the Season)
- Free or Discounted Trips with participating tour operators (whale watching, helicopter flights, etc.)
- Free Use of Kayaks, Paddleboards, and an array of outdoor gear
- Discounted flights with our partner, Alaska Seaplanes
- Standby flights with Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines for seasonal, full-time employees.
- Free fitness membership during the summer months
- Housing available at local campground for a discounted rate.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Juneau Alaska can be accessed by plane or ferry only. Once you're here, take advantage of the bus system or ride your bike!
Flights from Seattle arrive daily (Alaska Air, Delta). The Alaska Marine Highway has regular ferry service connecting Juneau with Haines and Skagway, Bellingham, WA, and Prince Rupert, BC.
Regardless of your mode, book your flight or ferry ASAP.
For Fun
- Long before prospectors flocked to the Juneau area, the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska had been established for thousands of years. Learn about Juneau's rich Alaska Native Culture, history, art, and language at the Walter Soboleff Building/Sealaska Heritage, Alaska State Museum, and the Biennial Celebration.
- 250+ Miles of Trails - Summit mountains, explore glaciers, backpack to remote cabins on alpine lakes, trail run past abandoned mine shafts, cool off in frigid, glacial-fed waterfalls!
- Wildlife Watching! Humpback Whales, Orcas, Sea Lions, Seals, Brown Bears, Black Bears, Porcupines, Squirrels!, Marmots, Martins, Bald Eagles...endless wildlife for responsible viewing.
- Fly in a Float Plane or Helicopter! Fly to world-famous lodges, Admiralty Island, and far corners of the Juneau Icefield.
- Go Fishing - Ample shore and boat fishing opportunities for an array of fish. Salmon, Halibut, Dolly Varden, Trout, Crabs...AK Fishing License Required
- Live Music, Diverse Restaurants, Art Galleries, and Cultural Landmarks - Downtown Juneau, while small, has it all!
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Jobs in the Spotlight
Current Job Openings
- Guide 6–8-hour hiking or canoeing for up to 8 clients while maintaining safety protocol, superior customer service, and providing natural history narrative.
- Facilitate tours in accordance with ABAK safety protocol while providing superior customer service and providing natural and cultural history narrative
- Prepare equipment and food for assigned trips, process used gear post-trip, make repairs as needed, and maintain a clean workspace.
- Actively contribute to a collaborative team environment in the field and company headquarters.
- Provide transportation to clients in company vans to and from downtown Juneau.
- Loading kayaks/canoes and lifting heavy gear in all operational zones.
- Pack, clean, repair, and maintain ABAK outdoor apparel, equipment, facilities and vessels.
- High School Diploma – Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in preferred
- US Citizen OR Be Eligible to Work in the US
- Exceptional customer service skills
- Wilderness First Responder Certification or higher (valid through September 30, 2024)
- Driver’s License and Clean Driving Record for past 5 years (valid through September 30, 2024)
- Must know how to swim
- Canoeing – Basic Skills, Safety, and Self Rescue Techniques
- White water rafting, packrafting, or kayak experience
- Knowledge of Southeast Alaska ecosystems, wildlife, and glacial environments
- Experience working in the service industry
- Competitive Pay
- Optional 401K plan
- End of Season Bonus
- Pro-Deal Purchasing Privileges
- Free Trips for you, your friends and family on a space-available basis
- Paid Training (Preseason, and Ongoing throughout the Season)
- Free or Discounted Trips with participating tour operators (whale watching, helicopter flights, etc.)
- Free Use of Kayaks, Paddleboards, and an array of outdoor gear
- Discounted flights with our partner, Alaska Seaplanes and standby flights with Alaska Airlines and Delta
- Free fitness membership during the summer months
- Subsidized housing at a local campground
- Work as part of a Norris operations team on a 7-8 day shift
- Norris Guide - facilitate guided experiences in accordance with ABAK safety protocol while providing superior customer service and providing natural and cultural history narrative
- Norris Field Support - evaluating lake conditions, clearing icebergs from the lake, supporting guided trips, cleaning packrafts and other equipment, and completing site maintenance tasks
- Base Coordinator - communicate with ABAK dispatch and Alaska Seaplanes pilots, monitor weather conditions, manage guided trip challenges, maintain the flight/trip schedules
- Work with the Site Leader to meet the high Norris operations standards - safety, trip quality, communication, cleanliness, documentation, etc.
- Support ABAKs operations in-town 0-5 days per week
- Provide high-quality experiences as a guide for our clients in the Mendenhall operating zones
- Complete pre and post trip tasks - prep gear, process used gear post-trip, make repairs as needed, maintain a clean workspace, fill out trip report, and assist support staff
- Provide transportation to clients in company vans to and from downtown Juneau
- Brief and outfit clients for assigned trips
- Lead a safe, fun and educational wilderness experience for our clients
- Provide high-quality experiences as a guide for our clients in the Mendenhall operating zones
- Actively contribute to a collaborative team environment in the field and ABAK Base
- High School Diploma
- Wilderness First Responder Certification or higher
- 1+ years guiding experience or working at a remote site in a wilderness setting
- Experience in one or more of: glacier travel knowledge and technical skills, extended camping trips in a wilderness setting, packrafting, use of a boat powered by a tiller steer outboard
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Ability to stay calm and collected while responding to emergency situations
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and stay on feet for 8+ hours a day
- A valid driver’s license and clean driving record for the past 5 years
- Experience working in high volume tourism
- Knowledge of Southeast Alaska’s weather, ecosystems, wildlife and glacial environments
- Personal or work experience camping outdoors for extended periods of time (7+ days)
- Working knowledge of ABAK operating areas
- Glacier travel technical skills
- Ability to identify and manage bare glacier hazards
- Experience route finding on bare glacier
- Ability to perform a crevasse rescue using both simple and compound pulley systems
- Experience:
- Driving, maintaining, and/or repairing a tiller steer outboard boat
- Experience paddling and maintaining packrafts
- Experience working with floatplanes
- Experience working at or managing a remote site
- Competitive Pay
- Optional 401K plan
- End of Season Bonus
- Pro-Deal Purchasing Privileges
- Free Trips for you, your friends and family on a space-available basis
- Paid Training (Preseason, and Ongoing throughout the Season)
- Free or Discounted Trips with participating tour operators (whale watching, helicopter flights, etc.)
- Free Use of Kayaks, Paddleboards, and an array of outdoor gear
- Discounted flights with our partner, Alaska Seaplanes and standby flights with Alaska Airlines and Delta
- Free fitness membership during the summer months
- Subsidized housing at a local campground
- Maintain inventory of client food and warehouse supplies.
- Prepare hearty snacks in accordance with client dietary needs and food safety regulations and filling water bottles.
- Pack, Clean, and Repair outdoor gear and apparel
- Loading kayaks/canoes and lifting heavy gear.
- Transport equipment, clients, and kayaks to various locations around Juneau.
- Assist guides in outfitting clients
- Maintain a clean front-of-house staging, retail, and restroom area, and a clean and organized back-of-house warehouse workspace.
- Norris Glacier Tour Support: transport of guests to ABAK office and float pond, outfit clients and provide pre-trip orientation
- Kayak Rental Shop: assist with kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals in a busy harbor just south of our main headquarters. Learn how to fix kayaks and paddle gear. Assist kayak specialists with staging and cleaning kayaks.
- High School Diploma – Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in preferred
- US Citizen OR Be Eligible to Work in the US
- Superb Written and Verbal Communication skills
- Exceptional customer services skills
- 21 years of age with a Valid Driver’s License and Clean Driving Record for past 5 years
- Adult/Child First Aid and CPR Certification
- Experience working in retail, tour, or service industry
- Proficient with computers
- Competitive Pay
- Optional 401K plan
- End of Season Bonus
- Pro-Deal Purchasing Privileges
- Free Trips for you, your friends and family on a space-available basis
- Paid Training (Preseason, and Ongoing throughout the Season)
- Free or Discounted Trips with participating tour operators (whale watching, helicopter flights, etc.)
- Free Use of Kayaks, Paddleboards, and an array of outdoor gear
- Discounted flights with our partner, Alaska Seaplanes and standby flights with Alaska Airlines and Delta
- Free fitness membership during the summer months
- Subsidized housing at a local campground
Field Positions
Field Positions
Canoe and Hiking Guide
$18.00 - $20.00 / hour + tips
Above and Beyond Alaska (ABAK) is seeking exceptional Canoe and Hiking Guides to join our seasonal team in Juneau, Alaska. ABAK has been facilitating outdoor adventure experiences on the ocean and ice for 21 years and employs 40 seasonal team members from April-September.
Our guides embody Above and Beyond Alaska’s dedication to safety, customer service, and environmental conservation. New ABAK guides must be able to participate in a pre-season training program in mid/late April to learn or develop technical skills, natural history knowledge, and superior customer service strategies.
The vast majority of ABAK glacier tours operate on the Mendenhall Glacier, accessing this magnificent feature by foot and large canoes. Guides will be trained in specific tours and technical skills that correspond with their ability level and motivation to grow. Additionally, guides will develop a formidable knowledge of the unique rainforest and glacial ecosystems and geographical features.
Canoe and Hiking Guides will also be expected to assist in support operations at our warehouse throughout the season. These duties include prep equipment/gear and food for trips, engage guests, help maintain operational zones, assist the operations team with daily logistics, transport guests, and fuel and clean vans.
General Duties Include, but are not limited to…
General Requirements:
Preferred Qualifications
Training: Canoe and Hiking Guides must participate in one of the two mandatory paid trainings. Training includes canoe skills and rescue technique, naturalist training, critical incident response, trail navigation, and zone familiarization.
Start Date: April 15, 2024 – September 30, 2024
Compensation:
$18/hour + tips
Bonus: Guides who fulfill the terms of their employment agreement are eligible for an end-of-season bonus that is based on 3% of gross wages.
Perks:
Field Positions
Norris Glacier Guide
$198.00 - $220.00 / day + tips
Above and Beyond Alaska (ABAK) is seeking exceptional Norris Glacier Guides to join our seasonal team in Juneau, Alaska. ABAK has been facilitating outdoor adventure experiences on the ocean and ice for 21 years and employs 40 seasonal team members from April-September.
Our guides embody Above and Beyond Alaska’s dedication to safety, customer service, and environmental conservation. New ABAK guides must be able to participate in a pre-season training program in mid/late April to learn or develop technical skills, natural history knowledge, and superior customer service strategies.
The Norris Glacier Guide splits their time between working a week-long shift out of our remote site on Norris Lake and spending time in-town for days off and potentially guiding in other zones. They must be highly proficient in technical skills, knowledgeable about the glacial environment, and capable of working as part of a team at a remote site.
In the month of May a Norris Guide will participate in training, potential guide in the Mendenhall zone, and may also assist in the Norris season preparation and site setup. Once the operating season is fully underway, their focus will be working extended shifts at the Norris site with periods of time in-town for days off and optional guiding in other zones. While at Norris, they will work with the Site Leader to ensure a safe, organized, and professional operation. A typical day will be spent alternating between the guide and field support role. Depending on experience, they may also fill the base coordinator role. They will be responsible for providing high quality experiences for our clients, maintaining a safe landing zone for floatplanes, and completing site maintenance tasks. They will communicate with the Site Leader regarding any site developments, suggestions or concerns.
This position is an integral part of our Norris operations team that is committed to creating a supportive and positive environment that empowers individuals, values self-direction and hard work, supports sustainable tourism, believes in mutual expectations, and promotes innovation and development.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities - include, but are not limited to:
Qualifications must Have:
Preferred:
Start Date: Mid to late May - Beginning of September
Compensation:
Day rate of $198 - $220 per day - eligible for mid-season raise based on performance
Bonus: Guides who fulfill the terms of their employment agreement are eligible for an end-of-season performance based bonus.
Perks:
Office / Logistics
Office / Logistics
Support Specialist
$18.00 / hour
Above and Beyond Alaska (ABAK) is seeking an exceptional individual to join our seasonal support team in Juneau, Alaska. ABAK has been facilitating outdoor adventure experiences on the ocean and ice for over 21 years and employs 40 seasonal team members from April-September.
The Support Specialist position works directly with the Operations Team to maintain ABAK facilities, gear, and vehicles for all our daily operations. ABAK specializes in small group adventure tours, often outfitting up to 10-18 groups per day with top-of-the-line outdoor gear, outerwear and footwear, and hearty snacks. The Support Specialist works in tandem with the operations and guide team to prep equipment/gear and food for trips, engage guests, help maintain operational zones, assist operations team with daily logistics, transport guests, provide Norris Glacier outfitting and orientation, fuel and clean vans, fix and clean canoes, kayaks, and equipment at the kayak rental shop.
This is a dynamic support role that will rotate through the Warehouse headquarters and Kayak Rental Shop. Additionally, this position will outfit our packraft tour on the Norris Glacier. This includes client transport, outfitting, and trip orientation. Specialists will assist Kayak Rental Specialists with set up of kayaks at the shop, assisting with outfitting of kayak rentals, transportation, set up, cleaning of rental gear.
All training is “on-the-job” and begins on the first day of work. This position is an entry-level position geared towards exceptional individuals looking to diversify their skill set, explore the outdoor adventure tourism industry, and collaborate with an amazing team. This is the perfect position for someone who wants to learn what it takes to be a professional guide, as it provides an opportunity to learn everything it takes to outfit and prepare client groups for being in the wilderness. Many of our top guides have started in this position and now guide full time. All applicants, regardless of experience, must share our passion for promoting environmental conservation through education.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
General Requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Start Date: May 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024 (flexible)
Compensation: $18/hour
Bonus: All employees who fulfill the terms of their employment agreement are eligible for an end-of-season bonus that is based on 3% of gross wages.
Perks:
Contact Info
- Hiring Manager
- hr@beyondak.com
- (907) 364-2333
- beyondak.com
