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Working at Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge

Blue-green waters teeming with wildlife, kayak excursions, wild Alaska salmon and remote wilderness cabins. There is no better way to experience this magnificent region than in the peaceful seclusion of the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island. Our cozy cabins are cradled on the picturesque shore of Fox Island's Halibut Cove. We welcome the elite students and summer staff to our private island to provide excellent service to our guests.

Fox Island is located in the heart of Resurrection Bay, approximately 12 nautical miles (a 45 minute boat transfer) from the town of Seward. The island, owned by the Chugach National Forest Administration, measures three square miles. Kenai Fjords Tours has a land lease on the portion of the island occupied by the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge and Fox Island Day Lodge facilities. This wilderness destination offers a amazing opportunity for visitors and employees to be immersed in nature. The lodges run primarily on solar power, with a back up diesel generator being used as needed to supplement our operations.

Commonly open positions:

Island Food Service
Island Maintenance
Guest Services / Room Attendant
Naturalist / Gift Shop Attendant

Island Activities

Hiking on island
Marine tours (We offer our employee discounts)
Kayaking, both lake and sea
Beach combing
Reading
Studying nature

Seward Activities

Sea Life Center
Movie Theater
Library/Museum
Shopping, Restaurants, Gift Shops, Grocery Stores
Fitness centers

Travel to Seward Alaska

Flights - Closest commercial airport (Ted Stevens International) is in Anchorage. The flight from Seattle is approximately 3 hours in duration.
Driving - It takes approximately two and a half hours to drive south from Anchorage to Seward along the Seward Highway, designated a Scenic Byway. This is a very spectacular drive.
Train - Rail travel is available and employees can receive a 50% discount (May 10th thru Sept 15th) if space is available. To receive the discount, a faxed request on company letter head, signed by a Manager must be sent to the Alaska Railroad.
Pre-Season Coach Service - Limited, no cost, space available transportation from Anchorage to Seward with Kenai Fjords may be possible for employees traveling between April 1st and May 15th, bookings are required and should be made 48 hours in advance. Pickups are in the early morning and only available at select hotels or locations. Please call 800-270-1238 for additional details.
Shuttle Bus - Travel is available to Seward year round via Seward Bus Line 907-224-3608. They will provide a drop off at Kenai Fjords Tours on request and pick up from the airport for $45 plus tax.
Coach Service - The Park Connection (May 17th thru Sept 14th) offers two departures a day from the lodge. Employees can receive a 50% discount. ($28 plus tax)

Local Transportation

Kenai Fjords Tours is located in the small boat harbor and easily accessible by car, bike, or on foot. Local taxi services are available 24 hours a day.

What would I need to bring with me?

A Good Alarm Clock (battery operated) if you have an early shift! The summer climate can be absolutely gorgeous and sunny one day and cold and wet the next. It can be cold in early May and September, so you'll need an assortment of clothing. The average summer temperature is 65°F. Some suggestions for your packing might include:

Suggested Personal Items

10 day supply underwear / socks
Toiletries (available for purchase in Seward)
Do not bring towels, bedding, or pillow (they will be provided)
Warm Gloves (30% off at Helly Hansen in Seward)
Warm Hat (30% off at Helly Hansen in Seward)
Jacket, water- and windproof
Hiking boots, waterproof
Sweaters and warm fleece
Shorts. (Yes there is the possibility of warm weather!)
Uniform pants and shoes (details below)
Do not over pack - you will only need about 6 outfits. One outfit should be "Eddie Bauer" casual, to wear when traveling on employee-discounted rates for sightseeing tours.

Suggested Recreational Items

Sleeping Bag and Tent
Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Swim Suit
Fishing Gear
CD's, DVD's, VHS, iPod or MP3 with rechargeble Batteries
Video Camera or Camera (Film is 30% off here - good price)
Books, Magazines, Board Games, Playing Cards

Required Documentation

Federal law requires all employees provide official documentation and proof of eligibility to work in the United States, you must provide either a US passport, drivers license or State issued I.D. card and social security card or birth certificate. Foreign students will need to provide a visa issued by the US Justice Department. If you are in need of a social security card, you can get information at www.socialsecurity.gov. You will be prompted for a ZIP code, and the Anchorage office is 99501.

Employee Housing

Room and Board is included for Fox Island Employees. The Crew Housing on Fox Island is spread out between three different beachfront buildings and has all basic necessities, including wireless internet. The crew facility in Seward is a dorm-style housing unit with two rooms reserved for Fox Island staff. The Seward housing facility is centrally located and within walking distance to all major businesses.

The following charges apply if you are offered housing:
A damage deposit of $100.00 will be automatically deducted from your pay check over a four week period. The deposit will be refunded when you vacate your room, return the bedding and the room passes cleanliness and damage inspection.

Housing Policies

Housing is a community experience and is part of your employment, rules and policies are to help ensure a quality, peaceful living experience for everyone.

Staff housing is a "dry camp." No alcohol allowed in this area
Quiet time is from 10pm to 7am. Employees work variable shifts
Kenai Fjords Tours is a smoke free facility; no smoking inside any building
Pets are not allowed in company housing

Wages and Bonuses

In addition to competitive wages we offer a seasonal bonus of up to 5% for all employees and, Bonus is given at the discretion of the General Manager and may be earned for completion of hiring agreement and attaining a satisfactory evaluation.

Pay Days/Direct Deposit

Pay days are bi weekly, every second Friday. We do not allow any pay advances so please ensure you have some funds for food etc for the first three weeks of employment. Seward has two banks if you wish to open a checking account.

Wells Fargo Bank 907-224-5283 P.O.Box 517, Seward. AK. 99664
First National Bank 907-224-4200 303 4th Avenue, Seward AK. 99664

Both banks have ATM machines as does Safeway which is open 24hours a day for any of your grocery or personal purchases.

We do encourage employees to have pay direct deposited for additional security. We will require you to provide a "void check" on the account you wish to deposit funds to.

Personal Mail Delivery

Personal Mail should be directed to your own post office box. Kenai Fjords Tours will not be responsible for the receipt or delivery of employee mail during the season. To arrange for a private mail box, please contact the Seward Post Office or fill out the online application to apply for Post Office Box service.

If you do not wish to arrange for a private mail box, please have all mail addressed as:
YOUR NAME
c/o General Delivery
Seward, AK 99664

You may use our address to ship items to Seward ahead of your arrival.
For letters, sent via United States Postal Service:
PO Box 1889, Seward AK 99664

For packages sent via United Parcel Service / FedEx:
Our Geographical address is: 1304 Fourth Avenue, Seward AK 99664

Uniform Requirements

Kenai Fjords Tours is a premium facility. We require that all staff be neatly and cleanly dressed. We will provide any shirts, jackets or fleeces that are uniform. Employees are required to have black dress pants and black shoes that are closed-toed and can be cleaned and polished for all employees. Jeans will not be acceptable wear for any position.

Fox Island employees will normally be working 6 days in a row without laundry facilities, so you will want to bring enough clothing to make it through at least 6 days. Sometimes you may be working up to 10 days in a row.

Suggested Work Items

Black Pants, Uniform appropriate black pants should be "docker" or twill style. Sweat pants, stretch pants, and denim are not considered suitable for uniforms.
Black or Dark Colored Shoes
Waterproof Boots (Xtra Tuf's are great!)
Carhartts / work jeans (For work projects where you won't want to wear a uniform.)
Clothes that you don't mind getting trashed (painting projects etc.)
Long Underwear (30% off at Helly Hansen in Seward)

Standards of Appearance

All employees of Kenai Fjords Tours must follow the grooming standards as a basic condition of employment. Employees are expected to wear their full uniform, clean and pressed. Extreme hair styles and colors are not permitted, no non-natural styles or colors. Jewelry worn on the job must be conservative, in good taste, appropriate to working attire and safe. Visible body piercing, with the exception of ears, is not acceptable. Visible body tattoos are also not permitted.

Application process

Jobs offered at Kenai Fjords Tours usually start in early May and finish in the third week of September; preference will be given to candidates that can complete a full season. Please apply on line at this website. All employees have to pass a comprehensive back ground check and a pre-employment drug test.

We will start reviewing applicants in mid January.

Check out our current Job Openings and Apply Now!