Volunteering & Jobs

Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities • Jobs • Volunteer Positions • Additional Volunteer Duties • To Apply • Questions

Thank you for your interest in volunteering
at Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center!

Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities

Summer / RV Volunteers

2009 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer Position
Our Summer 2008 positions are filled. We will be accepting applications for our summer 2009 positions from August - November 2008. For more information on our program, please click here for a brochure.

Winter / Spring Local Volunteers

Enjoy meeting new people and learning about wildlife? Join us! The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is looking for someone to help staff the visitor center. The Kachemak Bay Research Reserve is looking for volunteers to help with the bi-monthly discovery labs and with various research projects.

Summer Field Biologist Volunteers - Monitor Seabirds in Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife Technicians needed early May to mid-September 2008 for seabird work on Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Location: Buldir (w. Aleutians), Kasatochi (c. Aleutians), Aiktak (e. Aleutians), Chowiet (Semidi Is, AK penin) and Pribilof Islands (St Paul & St. George, c. Bering Sea). Living conditions on Buldir, Kasatochi, Aiktak and Chowiet are primitive and crew live in small cabins. Crews in the Pribilof islands live in small villages with airservice. Weather at all locations is usually cold and wet. The successful candidate is the type of person looking for an extremely remote experience with a like-minded crew of energetic, well-conditioned and knowledgeable people.

Project: On-going program, monitoring breeding chronology, reproductive success, population changes, adult survival, and food habits of up to 15 species of seabirds (including storm-petrels, cormorants, kittiwakes, murres, pigeon guillemots, auklets, and puffins depending on the location).

When: Approximately early May to mid-September 2008 (about 18 weeks), but depends on study site location.

Skills: This is a great opportunity for someone in school (but available for the full time period), someone looking to build their resume, and foreign nationals from countries other than the US who are not available for paid positions. Prefer applicants with (or working toward) a degree in wildlife biology or related field and with some field experience, but not necessary. All applicants should be in excellent physical condition as the work is physically demanding, and should be able to live and work happily with a small group of people in an extremely remote and isolated environment. Applicants should be able to tolerate adverse weather and spartan living conditions. Seabird and boating experience helpful. Appropriate safety training will be provided.

Compensation: Round-trip transportation within the USA will be provided. All food and housing are also provided. In addition, you will receive a $3/day stipend while you are in the field.

How to Apply: Email a current resume to: Jeff Williams and Heather Renner heather_renner(at)fws.gov Wildlife Biologists, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

Seasonal Jobs

Seasonal Part-time Education Specialist
Are you a retired teacher, stay-at-home parent, or recent graduate looking for some meaningful part-time work this spring? The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is hiring an environmental educator based at the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.

Hours: 20-40 hours per week for all of April and May, with possible additional hours throughout the year.
Pay: $19.50 per hour.
Please contact Lisa Matlock at 226-4617 or lisa_matlock@fws.gov for more information. You can also apply online.

Youth Conservation Corps - Visitor Services Assistants

Two students, age 15-18, who live in Homer or have lodging available in Homer will be selected to work at Islands & Ocean this summer as part of the Youth Conservation Corps. The job offers 7 weeks of full time work doing landscape and trail work, helping with visitor services and the information desk, and maintenance.

The Youth Conservation Corp program has three goals: accomplish needed conservation work on public lands; provide employment for young people; and develop the student’s understanding and appreciation of the environment. Training about Refuge resources and visitor services will be provided, along with some exposure to biological field work.

For more information contact Marianne Aplin at 235-6546.

Duration: 7 weeks - from June 10-July 26, 2008

Schedule: Includes some weekends and holidays

Pay: $8/hour

Deadline to apply: March 27, 2008 5pm
Applications available at Homer HIgh and Homer Flex School Counseling offices, at the offices of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, or here.

Volunteer Positions

Visitor Center Docent (Year-round)

Interact with visitors in the Islands & Ocean Visitor Center. Volunteers staff the information desk, open & close the Visitor Center, oversee the theater and electronic exhibits, and use cash registers and credit card machines. Volunteers also answer questions on topics such as: Refuge management practices and Reserve activities; plant, bird and other wildlife identification; the Aleutian campaign of World War II; and recreational wildlife viewing opportunities.

Additional Volunteer Duties

Projects

In addition to their specific responsibilities, volunteers in either the docent or the gardener position will assist or lead special projects such as:

Shorebird Festival

Assist with various components of May birding festival in Homer, Alaska.

Marketing

Develop products, send information to partners, media, and advertisers.

Garden/Landscape

Weed, water, and plant to maintain the Visitor Center landscape.

Interpretive Programs

Volunteers will have the opportunity to present interpretive programs such as 15 minute map talks, eagle nest observation talks, exhibit tours, and birding and beach walks. Training will be provided but special knowledge (of birds, World War II history in A

To Apply

For Volunteer positions at the Visitor Center, send a resume to:

Visitor Center Manager
Alaska Islands & Ocean
95 Sterling Highway, Suite #1
Homer, AK 99603

Be sure to include:

Name
Address (include zip code)
Spouse’s Name (if applicable)
Phone number
E-mail address
Education beyond high school (Self & Spouse)
Job experience & References (Self & Spouse)
Skills (Self & Spouse)
Please specify any physical limitations that may influence your volunteer work activities

Questions?

E-mail us at info@islandsandocean.org