Naturalist Education Specialist

Naturalist – Education Specialist: Full-time year-round.

Preferred start  February 2026

As a member of the education team the Naturalist – Education Specialist will support and lead programs to grow the education department and reach the mission of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC). As a team member of a small not-for-profit the ideal candidate will show their ability to work with flexibility shifting between tasks seasonally and as needed. An ideal candidate for this position will have experience training wildlife and facilitating encounters for an audience. They will shift between working with wildlife in educational programming year- round, facilitating school age programming during the school year, coaching interns and working with travelers of all ages during the summer, and other year round duties. Amongst our team all programs and tasks required to complete educational objectives are assigned to work collaboratively, exact programs and tasks may vary over the duration on the position.  

Wage is starting at $22-24/hour DOE. Direct applications and questions to Lily Grbavach | Director of Education | [email protected]. To apply, include a resume, cover letter and 3 professional references with phone and email contact. Applications will be accepted and reviewed beginning in January 2026 on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Job Duties:

• Interpretation and Education
  
  
  
  • Lead and develop encounter programs with live animals in AWCC's care
  
  
  • Serve as frontline interpreter
  
  
  • Facilitate education programming, outreach, and events
  
  
  
  


• Animal Care 
  
  
  
  • Train animals for participation in educational programs and encounters
  
  
  • Feed, water, and clean habitats for animals used in AWCC's care as needed
  
  
  • Provide primary care for ambassador ferrets
  
  
  
  


• Program development
  
  
  
  • Contribute to the expansion of AWCC program offerings including encounters
  
  
  • Develop and lead educational programs to guests and students of all ages
  
  
  • contribute to development and renewal of interpretive materials
    
  
  
  
  


• Volunteers
  
  
  
  • Lead volunteer and service learning groups occasionally
  
  
  
  


• Research
  
  
  
  • Assist with the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Program as an Cook Inlet beluga whale observer
  
  
  
  


• Interns
  
  
  
  • Support and supervise interns
  
  
  
  


• Plants and gardens
  
  
  
  • help with garden bed upkeep
  
  
  • invasive plant mitigation
  
  
  
  


• Workdays and hours assigned by Director of Education will vary by week; full 40 hours and 5 days per week, maximum 8 hours per day.


• Other duties as assigned

Qualification:

• Experience training wildlife for encounter purposes and facilitating encounter programming


• Educated and confident public speaking skills


• Comfortable connecting with all ages, cultures, and perspectives from across Alaska and the world


• Ability to work proactively on duties assigned to meet deadlines and build program resources in a timely manner


• Experience developing wildlife or environmental educational programming


• Ensure, and help to create a productive, fun, and positive work environment


• Sustain a strong commitment to teamwork and communication at AWCC
  


• Comfort and ability to interpret wildlife, geography, culture, and history of Alaska and Portage Valley


• Comfortable working around animals in human care


• Ability to work outdoors with a positive attitude in extreme wind, temperatures, rain, and winter conditions


• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as cleaning and moving up to 40 pounds


• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on programming needs

Preferred Skills: 

• Experience with operant conditioning of wildlife in human care.


• National Association of Interpretation Certificate of Interpretive Guiding and/or experience writing programs in an interpretive outline


• Familiar with environmental education frameworks


• Proficiency identifying local flora and fauna including both native and invasive species


• Knowledge of marine species, ecosystems, and geography of Turnagain Arm and Cook Inlet


• Dena'ina language familiarity


• Second language
  


• Demonstrate knowledge of health, care, behavior, and handling of wildlife


• Experience with graphic design / art creating visually appealing educational documents and signs


• Experience using Microsoft suite


• First Aid and CPR Certified

Additional Requirements:

• Schedule will vary based on programming needs and season to include weekends, holidays, early morning, evenings, and overnights. Regular schedule will include weekends. 


• Regular schedule will not exceed 40 hours per week. Exceptions exceeding 40 hours per week are subject to overtime. 


• BS, BA, or equivalent experience in a natural science, education, or other relevant work experience


• Must have a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record


• Must be able to pass background check


• Must be eligible to work in the United States


• Must have received or be willing to receive a tetanus and rabies vaccination by date of hire.


• Proof of both vaccinations, degree, driver's license, and background check required prior to start date.


• Willingness to support other departments as necessary


• Preform other duties as assigned

Benefits: 

• Starting $22-24 / hour pay rate, DOE


• Receive 10 hours of holiday pay for 12 holidays. 


• PTO package up to 2 weeks in first year of employment, must be employed for 3 months before the employee will be allowed to use PTO.


• Sick leave, receive 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked with a maximum accrual of 56 hours per year


• All full-time status employees are eligible to enroll in the AWCC’s health insurance plan on the first after a 60 days of full-time service.


• Eligible to enroll in a 403(b) retirement plan on the first of the month after 60 days of full-time service. Upon the employee’s one-year work anniversary, the AWCC will match up to 5% of their paycheck per pay period.


• AWCC Housing options for first 6 months of employment


• Free admission to AWCC for friends and family


• Discount in our Be Wild Gift Shop