Local High School Guide

Job Duration: Mid-April through mid-August

SSSC Status: Seasonal, full- or part-time

Supervisor: Visitor Experience Manager

Location: 834 Lincoln Street, Sitka, AK

Pay Rate: $16 to $17 DOE

Application Deadline: This position is open until filled. Interviews will begin in mid-January.

Description

About the Local High School Guide Position:  

Guides are the public face of the Sitka Sound Science Center. The position involves daily interaction with diverse groups of locals, tourists, and visitors to Sitka. Guides play an integral role in the success of the Science Center’s mission by developing and leading tours through the aquarium and hatchery, greeting guests of all ages and backgrounds, and fielding questions about Sitka, marine life, hatcheries, and more. We value the contributions local people can make to our programs. Local guides enrich visitors’ experience with their deep firsthand knowledge of what it is like to live in Sitka’s unique ecosystem. Local High School Guides will work as part of a guide team that includes people from many different places and backgrounds. The guide team will collaborate to create an environment in which our visitors have a positive, fun, and memorable experience as they explore and learn about Alaska hatcheries, fisheries, local marine life, and exciting research.  

Local High School Guides will also play a key role in creating team culture. For the summer, Guides constitute a significant proportion of our staff and help shape goals and projects during that time. We are excited to collaborate with local young people to help make the Science Center an exciting place to work and visit.  

Local High School Guides can expect to gain exposure to both the inner workings of this unique nonprofit and the richness of Sitka’s environment and community. Activities along these lines will include visits to other relevant sites around Sitka, the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in our hatchery and summer education programming such as summer camps, and connection with research and field programs and staff. 

Tasks

  • Welcome visitors to our facility and provide front-of-house services 
  • Provide local perspective and expertise about marine life, Sitka, hatcheries, research, and more    
  • Gain experience in guiding tours and other educational programs 
  • Assist with facility upkeep (general cleaning, restrooms, aquariums, public spaces, etc.).   

Qualifications

  • You are a high school student who will be in Sitka during the summer. 
  • You are excited about science and the natural world.    
  • You enjoy speaking to both large and small groups of people in formal and informal settings.   
  • You enjoy helping others explore and connect with the world around us.  
  • You’re excited about interacting with a diverse group of travelers.  
  • You thrive in a team setting and enjoy collaborating with others.  

Background

About the Sitka Sound Science Center:  

The Sitka Sound Science Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research and science education. Based in Southeast Alaska, SSSC is focused on research topics and education programs that are relevant to our region and state. SSSC is made up of a team of people who enjoy collaborating across disciplines, thinking big and following through, and finding new ways to connect our community with the world around us. 

Inclusion and equity are core values of the Sitka Sound Science Center. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for students, researchers, and staff. We believe every member of our staff and visitor to our facility enriches our diversity by sharing a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover solutions. We encourage you to pursue your interests, develop your potential, and bring your full self to work. 

Additional Information

Benefits for Local High School guides:  

  • Exposure to hatchery work, research projects, education programming (e.g. summer camps), and other Science Center projects and programs 
  • Opportunities to explore personal interests and career and educational goals  

Application Information: 

Sitka Sound Science Center is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.  

Please provide a letter of interest, a current resume, and contact information for 2 references. Application documents should be submitted in Word or PDF format to Lina Kapp, Visitor Experience Manager (lkapp@sitkascience.org). This position is open until filled. Interviews will begin in mid-January.