Hiking & Backpacking Guide

Location: Chugach State Park Anchorage, AK
Dates of Employment: May 19th – September 7th, 2025
Job Type: Full-Time Hourly (40 hours per week)
Starting Pay: $18 per hour plug gratuity

Are you seeking a job where you can practice your passion? Are you an individual that loves hiking, backpacking, and spending time in the wild? If so, we want you on our team! Go Hike Alaska is seeking a full-time hiking and backpacking guide for the 2025 summer season. Our ideal candidate should possess relevant work experience, wilderness first response certification, and the flexibility to work different hours and days as demand dictates.

ABOUT US:

Go Hike Alaska was founded in November of 2018 with a vision of providing guided hiking experiences to adventurers from around the globe. What started as a plan to provide solely guided day-hikes in the Chugach State Park has evolved into a diversified lineup of unique Alaskan experiences featuring foraging & cooking classes, historical city tours, helicopter flightseeing & hiking combos, and multi day backpacking trips.

JOB SUMMARY:
This is a dual-role position where you will be guiding both day-hiking and multiday backpacking tours. Hiking guides lead our summer day-hiking tours. As a hiking guide, you will guide guests on short, half-day and full day hiking tours. Our day-hiking tours focus on specific concepts, such as: flora & fauna, valleys & forests, and ridgeline trekking. As a backpacking guide, you will guide guests on overnight trips lasting no more than 4 days in length. This job requires a high degree of knowledge concerning hiking and backpacking practices, such as: risk management, wilderness first response, food safety in bear country, leave no trace, satellite messenger communication, and backcountry hygiene.

You should understand Alaska’s state parks and wilderness in different ways, including its history and natural resources (e.g. vegetation, waterways, ecology, topography, terrain, geology, wildlife, etc.). You will be responsible for the safety, transportation, socialization with and education of our guests. You should also understand basic route-finding, how to handle emergency situations, apply wilderness first aid, CPR, and communicate with the proper authorities. This role requires you interact with guests in a professional and introspective manner. You will also need to understand the basics of photography and how to use technology such as an iPhone or iPad.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Guide guests on hiking tours within the Chugach State Park and Denali State Park.
• Ensure guest safety and provide medical care if needed.
• Provide safety briefing before tours, regarding large animals and other hazards.
• Deliver high-quality experiences to guests through expert ability, education, and socialization.
• Provide expert narration regarding the park’s history, flora, fauna, and other resources.
• Assist guests with equipping gear such as: trekking poles, and backpacks.
• Maintain professionalism and respect towards others during difficult situations.
• Apply humility and politeness during the tour.
• Transport guests to and from pickup locations and destinations using company vehicles.
• Be timely and communicative with both staff and guests.
• Offer and serve guests food or water.
• Clocking in and out using a timesheet.
• Capturing photos during the tour.
• Assist with hiking tours in partnership with Lifetime Adventures LLC, as needed.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• At a minimum, you must possess a valid Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Response and CPR certification.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Clean driving record.
• Passion for hiking and spending time in the wilderness.
• Basic understanding of the local environment, ecosystems, flora & fauna, terrain, geology.
• Comfortability interacting with other staff and guests. Respectful and polite personality.
• Excellent customer service skills with a presentable, well-groomed personality.
• Punctual and reliable.
• Physically able to endure the duration, distance, and elevation gain for the respective tour.

Complete job application @ www.gohikealaska.com/employment You will need to upload a copy of your resume and cover letter during the application process