Mendenhall Glacier Site Leader

Company Overview

Above and Beyond Alaska (ABAK) is a local guiding company based in Juneau, Alaska that has been facilitating outdoor adventure experiences on the ocean and ice for over 20 years. Employing a staff of 40 seasonal team members, ABAK offers an opportunity to experience glaciers, bears and whales through a combination of canoe, kayak, packraft, foot, boat, and floatplane travel. We are dedicated to safety, customer service, and environmental conservation with a goal of providing a complete Alaskan wilderness experience by sharing with our clients our passion, technical know-how, and natural history knowledge. 

Position Overview

The Mendenhall Zone Site Leader has a diverse schedule that includes guiding wilderness experiences for our clients in our Mendenhall Glacier, reporting as the Safety, Admin & Support (SAS) and assisting the Operations Leadership Team with training and developing guide staff to enable them to provide safe high quality experiences for our clients. 

Site Leaders must be highly proficient in technical skills, passionate about environmental education, and keen on working with entry-level guides in an outdoor leadership role. In the early season they will assist the Field Manager and Training Manager in organizing gear and facilitating training for guide staff in all technical skills and logistics pertinent to the Mendenhall Zone. This includes teaching novices and experienced team members basic skills, rescue technique, naturalist information, group management, ABAK CIRP protocol, and all field logistics/timelines. The Site Leader should be able to adapt teaching strategies to accommodate learning styles of the group or individual. 

Once our operating season is fully underway, they will guide 3-5 trips per week and report as SAS 1-2 days per week. While guiding, their focus will be on the Mendenhall Zone, however opportunities to work in other zones may be available with prior approval. As a canoe and hiking guide, while providing exceptional wilderness experiences for our clients they will also: monitor our operational zones, evaluate our equipment, provide an example for co-guides, and observe guides performance. They will communicate any observations, concerns or suggestions to the Field Manager. They will assist the Field Manager with facilitating guide team meetings, coaching and mentoring guide staff, providing on-going training sessions for staff, and assisting with Mendenhall Zone equipment and site maintenance. As a SAS they will assist the Manager on Duty with evaluating the weather, making go/no go decisions, responding to incidents, assisting with Support coverage. These shifts are also a time to check-in with glacier guides, plan meetings/training, manage equipment, and complete staff evaluations.

This position is an integral part of a leadership 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. Applicants with guiding experience who wish to develop outdoor leadership skills are encouraged to apply.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Guide 3-5 trips per week as lead guide or to observe guide team
  • Prepare equipment and food for assigned trips, process used gear post-trip, make repairs as needed, and maintain a clean workspace
  • Provide transportation to clients in company vans to and from downtown Juneau
  • Move, paddle and steer 8-14 passenger canoes 
  • Facilitate guided experiences in accordance with ABAK safety protocol while providing superior customer service and providing natural and cultural history narrative
• Report as Safety, Admin & Support (SAS) and work with the Manager on Duty (MOD) to assist in any incidents that arise from the field 
• Site Leader specific duties and responsibilities
  • Assist with Mendenhall set-up and take down: Help prepare location for operations, which include setting up equipment, organizing gear/equipment, and ensuring all necessary supplies are ready for use
  • Assess conditions in the Mendenhall zone on a weekly basis, communicate developments to the GGFS
  • Assist in the maintenance of all Mendenhall Zone equipment. Communicate maintenance needs to the Field Manager
  • Recommend new gear purchases and needs to the GGFS throughout the season
  • Coach and mentor guide staff
  • Work with other Site Leader to develop guide performance reviews, schedule recurring guide meetings, guide observation in the field, canoe care and maintenance, checking on Mendenhall staff, etc.
  • Assist the other Mendenhall Site Leader with training Mendenhall Zone Guides. This will include shadow checklists, skills checklists, reviews, observation trips, pre-trip and post-trip meetings, recurring training, etc. 
  • Provide on-going technical skills training for guide staff in coordination with the GGFS
  • Assist the GGFS with facilitating bi-weekly Team Meetings for guide staff 
• Actively contributes to a collaborative team environment in the field and ABAK Base 

Qualifications:

Must Have:

• High School Diploma
• Wilderness First Responder Certification or higher
• 2+ years of guiding experience in wilderness or semi-wilderness setting
• Technical skills related to canoeing and hiking
  • Ability to steer and perform re-entry techniques in 6+ passenger canoes
• Leadership experience
  • Experience coaching, teaching, and/or mentoring individuals and groups
  • Ability to contribute to team meetings and effectively communicate with coworkers
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• A valid driver’s license and clean driving record for the past 5 years
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Ability to stay calm and collected while leading a team in responding to emergency situations
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and stay on feet for 8+ hours a day

Preferred:

• Experience working in high volume tourism
• Knowledge of Southeast Alaska’s weather, ecosystems, wildlife and glacial environments
• Working knowledge of ABAK operating areas
• Computer literacy – competent with Microsoft Word and Excel, able to type 40+ WPM, capable of learning online booking and POS systems
• Glacier – understanding of bare glacier hazards, route finding experience, and crevasse rescue technique

Start Date: April 21, 2025 – October 3, 2025

Compensation: $23/hour + tips 

Perks: 

• 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 and standby flights with our partner Alaska Seaplanes
• Free fitness membership during the summer months