Inspiration Ridge Preserve Naturalist
Located on the ridge overlooking Kachemak Bay, Inspiration Ridge Preserve is a mosaic of forests, bogs, meadows, ponds, and creeks, with over 8 miles of trails. The IRP Naturalist will plan and lead interpretive natural history hikes, educational programs, and workshops for small but varied groups of visitors. They will perform routine trail maintenance, assist with volunteer work parties for larger trail projects, and may lead service learning opportunities for youth groups.
IRP Naturalists will have opportunities to participate in community-based monitoring projects such as bird nesting counts and phenology studies. This person will work alongside the IRP Coordinator, Stewardship Director, CACS Program Director, and other naturalist educators to learn together about best practices in experiential, place-based interpretation and education, and gain knowledge of Alaskan ecology.
Applicants can expect to split their time fairly evenly between outdoor work (leading hikes/workshops, data collection, trail maintenance) and indoor computer work (program preparation and reflection, database management).
This position reports to the IRP Coordinator.
Position runs from May 26 – September 1, 2026 (end date negotiable). May include some weekend/evening work.
Pay is $19/hour with shared housing provided ($22/hour without housing)
Core Duties:
Plan and lead guided hikes, ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours, for a range of group sizes and ages.
Trail maintenance & invasive species removal. This can involve hiking for up to 5 miles carrying string trimmers and other equipment.
Conduct monitoring of wildlife and invasive species, which includes: hiking, operating motion-triggered wildlife cameras, properly identifying plants/wildlife/scat/tracks (training provided), and recording observations in a computer database.
Create and update interpretive and educational materials.
Develop educational workshops and activities for adults and youth with the support of the IRP Coordinator.
Additional Duties:
Provide photos, stories, and participant testimonials for advertising and grant reporting. Opportunity to help develop social media posts and marketing materials.
We are a staff that works as a team and adapts to our communities’ needs; therefore this position may work on additional programs and duties as mutually agreed upon.
Training & Mentorship:
Required participation in paid naturalist training at the Peterson Bay Field Station and Homer at the start of the summer, which will include training on natural sciences, interpretation, and the cultures of Kachemak Bay. Additional opportunities offered throughout the summer for paid professional development in specific areas related to your work.
Qualifications:
First Aid/CPR Certification required. (Preference for Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder Certification)
Ability to work both collaboratively and independently, particularly in monitoring and developing programs. Working collaboratively includes skills for providing and receiving feedback.
Experience or demonstrated desire to work with youth and adults in outdoor settings.
Experience or interest in contributing to environmental monitoring and developing community-based monitoring activities.
Comfort working in a semi-remote location. Physical ability to hike up to 5 miles carrying up to 30 pounds of equipment.
Knowledge of—or strong interest in learning about—forest ecology, botany, wildlife habitats, and history and culture of the Homer area.
Willingness to learn on the job and adapt to changing circumstances (such as weather, group needs, etc.)
Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and concise directions, communicate complex science concepts, and make people feel welcome.
Commitment to CACS’s work towards justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our programs. Dedication to our vision of healthy ecosystems, engaged and connected communities, and inspired environmental stewards.
Demonstrated good judgment and risk management experience in challenging backcountry settings.
We’ve left our list of desired qualifications flexible in recognition of the many forms of knowledge and experience that can exist both within and outside of typical employment or academic pathways. If you are passionate about the work and think you could do it well, please apply!
Our application form will ask for a 1-page résumé, a 1-page cover letter describing your desire to work with Coastal Studies as an organization, and a short-answer question asking you to describe your interest in the specific position. If you have questions about our application process, please navigate back to our Employment page and explore the FAQ.
