Ridge Monitoring Intern
Located on the ridge overlooking Kachemak Bay, Inspiration Ridge Preserve (IRP) and the Wynn Nature Center are mosaics of forest, bogs, meadows, and streams. The Ridge Monitoring Intern will conduct ongoing environmental monitoring at IRP and the Wynn Nature Center, including bird nesting, phenology studies, wildlife camera trapping, and more while working with high school interns and community volunteers on data gathering and processing. They will also plan and lead interpretive natural history hikes, weekly youth educational programs, and workshops for small but varied groups of visitors as well as perform routine trail maintenance.
This person will work alongside the Wynn and IRP Coordinators, CACS Program Director, and other naturalist educators to learn together about best practices in experiential, place-based interpretation and education, and to gain knowledge of Alaskan ecology. Applicants can expect to split their time fairly evenly between outdoor work (data collection, trail maintenance, leading hikes/youth programs) and indoor computer work (database management and program preparation).
Position runs from May 26 – September 1, 2026 (end date negotiable). May include some weekend/evening work.
This position is funded by the Alaska Conservation Foundation.
Core Duties:
Conduct monitoring of plant phenology, wildlife, and invasive species; which includes hiking, operating motion-triggered wildlife cameras, correctly identifying plants/wildlife/scat/tracks (training provided), and recording observations in a computer database.
Plan and lead guided hikes, ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours, for a range of group sizes and ages.
Develop and implement weekly educational youth programs and specialized educational programs for adults and youth.
Serve as a mentor and leader for Teen interns performing monitoring tasks, weekly at IRP and potentially other CACS locations, depending on need and interest.
Additional Duties:
Maintain trails and remove invasive species. This can involve hiking up to 5 miles and carrying weed whips and other equipment.
Create and update interpretive and educational materials.
Provide photos for social media and advertising, conduct participant evaluations of programs, and complete basic office tasks such as program data entry.
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)
Demonstrated good judgment and risk management experience in challenging backcountry settings.
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.
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.
