Naturalist Guide Lead

Location: Denali National Park

Overview

Kantishna Roadhouse (KRH) is a full-service, backcountry lodge located 90 miles inside Denali National Park. Due to the Denali Park Road closure, the lodge is accessible only by small aircraft, and employees should expect a truly remote, wilderness-based work environment. Because of this remoteness, staff are expected to live on-site for the entire season (approximately June 1 to September 15) with no ability to leave the park on days off.

Employees may enjoy hiking and exploring the surrounding backcountry during their free time, but travel outside the park is not available. KRH operates with a small, close-knit team and hosts a limited number of guests, so every staff member plays a vital, hands-on role in daily lodge operations. Room and board are provided at no cost to employees.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Naturalist Guide Lead oversees guided hikes and interpretive programs, ensuring safe, engaging, and educational experiences for guests. This role leads and supports the Naturalist Guide team, manages daily activity schedules, maintains equipment and vehicle standards, and ensures compliance with National Park Service regulations. The Naturalist Lead provides knowledgeable interpretation of Denali's natural and cultural history while upholding excellent guest service and safety.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

* Lead and oversee all guided hikes and interpretive activities, exercising strong judgment regarding trail conditions, weather, wildlife behavior, and guest abilities to ensure safety and high-quality experiences.

* Supervise, mentor, and train Naturalist Guides in interpretive techniques, guest safety, Denali knowledge, and program delivery.

* Create and manage daily guide schedules, ensuring adequate coverage for all hikes, programs, and guest activities.

* Facilitate on-property activities with professionalism and respect, ensuring guests are well-informed of times, locations, and activity expectations.

* Oversee the maintenance, cleaning, and repair of guest equipment-including bicycles, fishing gear, rain gear, waders, boots, kayaks, and paddleboards-to ensure all items are safe, functional, and properly inventoried.

* Develop and refine interpretive content, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with lodge standards and National Park Service requirements.

* Use advanced interpretive techniques to teach guests about Alaska and Denali's wildlife, ecology, geology, history, and cultural significance; guide staff in strengthening their interpretive skills.

* Provide and support both formal and informal educational programs; create, maintain, and regularly present a polished evening program for guests.

* Ensure all guide staff uphold National Park Service regulations and concession permit requirements (training provided).

* Safely transport guests in vans along the Denali Park Road to Trailheads, Wonder Lake, the airport, and local historical sites; monitor guide compliance with transportation safety protocols.

* Conduct and oversee pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, ensuring issues are reported promptly and vehicles are kept clean inside and out.

* Assist with luggage handling and guest arrival/departure support as needed.

* Oversee or assist with grounds and greenhouse maintenance as assigned.

* Maintain expert-level knowledge in:

* North American wildlife biology

* Plant, bird, and bird-song identification

* Alaska and Denali National Park history

* Indigenous cultures, subsistence, and ANCSA

* Map and compass navigation

* Sub-arctic Leave No Trace principles

* Provide exceptional guest service, anticipating needs, responding to concerns, and ensuring quality control across all guide-led experiences.

* Support lodge operations as needed and perform other duties as assigned.

DOYON

CORE COMPETENCIES:

* Commitment to Excellence - Identifies what needs to be done and takes action to achieve a standard of excellence beyond job expectations.

* Corporate Values
- Understand, embraces, and integrates Doyon corporate values into everyday duties and responsibilities.

* Customer Service - Identifies and responds to current and future client needs by providing excellent service to internal and external clients.

* Safety and Security - Promotes a safe work environment for co-workers and customers.

* Teamwork - Resourceful team player that builds, strengthens, and maintains collaborative relationships with others inside or outside the organization.

JOB SPECIFIC

COMPETENCIES:

* Communication Skills - Listens, writes, and speaks effectively, and positively relates and interacts with co-workers and others.

* Decision Making - Makes choices or reaches conclusions by establishing objectives, gathering relevant information, identifying alternatives, setting criteria for the decision, and selecting the best option.

* Dependability - Consistently adheres to operational standards, ensures smooth operations and positive customer experiences, builds a productive workplace, is reliable, and improves team morale.

* Independence - Works with minimal…