Denali Jeep is looking for Responsible, Professional, Outgoing, and Passionate employees to work with us this summer! Come join our team and get out and explore with us!
Much of Alaska remains remote wilderness, devoid of modern amenities. Denali Jeep Excursions provides exclusive tours of the rarely visited eastern Alaska Range along the Denali Highway. Before the modern highway access to Denali National Park was completed, the Denali Highway was the gateway to the Park. Now, rarely traveled by tourists, this pristine landscape gives a more authentic Alaskan experience to guests. Wildlife, glaciers, Denali itself, and lush taiga forests are all part of the Denali Jeep Excursion. Our Tour Office is just outside the main entrance of Denali National Park. Tours depart twice a day, every day, in all weather, mid May to mid-September.
Denali Jeep Excursions is part of the Denali Park Adventures tour family.
Our Ideal Candidate:
Denali Jeep Excursions' success is based on exceptional customer service, knowledgeable staff, and a personal, yet professional environment. We value employees that are
- Poised and confident while engaging and entertaining
- Display care and Attention to detail
- Passionate about wilderness, Alaskan culture and ecology
- Understand the value of a close-knit team
- Clean driving record
- Work best independently or in small groups
- Self motivated and adventure-seekers
- Positive outlook and abundant optimism
For more employee info & FAQ, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions here.
Available positions:
In a small company, every role is important and valued. Our knowledgeable Tour Office staff create the positive first impression carried and built upon by our professional, friendly Guides. All positions are in front of guests, require the ability to stand/be active/talk for 8 hours a day and the disposition to be outside in all weather. Click on each position below for more information.
+ Jeep Tour Representative
Provide guests with the first impression of Denali Jeep whether it is in person at the Tour Office, over the phone, or through an email. They don't just naturally excel at interacting with people, they love meeting and chatting with folks from all over the world! Tour Representatives are responsible for taking online and over-the-phone bookings, answering customer inquiries, and maintaining tour schedules using an online reservation system. They greet customers, check individuals and groups in, assist with retail sales, and prepare individuals and groups for their tour. Central to the role is networking with a variety of agents, from large cruise ships to small travel agencies, and coordinating guest itineraries with other adventure companies in Denali. This position is great for people who love challenges, thrive in fast-paced environments, and enjoy engaging with people.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
- Establish a warm and friendly relationship with guests in person, on the phone, or via e-mail
- Manage reservations through an online reservation system
- Be knowledgeable of all aspects of the tour to assist customers in booking tours and properly answer all customer inquiries
- Assist with retail sales including the management of cash, credit cards, and POS system
- Help prepare guests for their tour by ensuring all guests meet participant requirements and tactfully handle situations where guests do not meet requirements
- Solve problems that invariably arise with logistics, tour coordination, large group booking, rescheduling, and customer service issues.
- Compose and send out correspondence
- Effectively communicate with Shuttle Drivers and Tour Managers
- Work as a team with other Tour Representatives
- Assist with facility upkeep and maintenance including cleaning and organizing
- Plan, coordinate, and carry out special events
Requirements:
- High school degree or equivalent and at least 18 years of age
- Strong customer service orientation
- Ability to establish warm and friendly relationships with guests
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Proficient computer skills and previous cash register/POS experience
- Maintain professional appearance at all times and represent the company in a positive way
- The ability to work well under stress and pressure.
- Position uses company vehicles, so a clean driving record is needed.
- Applicants with experience in customer service, sales, and/or reservations will be given priority.
Hourly wages plus sales bonuses.
+ Jeep Office Manager
At Denali Jeep, great teams start with great leadership. The Tour Office Manager is responsible for encouraging and supporting the Tour Representatives towards creating a focused, friendly, task-oriented, customer service driven team. Major components of the Tour Office Manager position include direct correspondence with Travel Agents and Cruise ships to arrange the sale and scheduling of tours, oversight of finances, understanding and organization of company logistics, and involvement in management meetings. The Tour Office Manager is able to be a respectful and supportive leader, delegate tasks, structure the tour schedule with respect to whole company needs, remain calm and resolute during crisis, be responsible for the direction and team efforts of the Tour Representatives.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
- Staff Training
- Participate in and moderate Tour Representative training
- Staff Management
- Ensure that Tour Representatives are working efficiently and effectively.
- Create a friendly, welcoming, customer-service driven environment
- Be available for Tour Representatives offering support, encouragement, and constructive critique
- Office Administration
- Oversee orchestration of tour scheduling
- Ensure that communication with guests, partners, and booking companies is positive and effective
- Demonstrate responsible division of tour sales amongst tour partners
- Verify accuracy of transactions through careful bookkeeping practices
- Understand company logistics to effectively communicate with Shuttle Drivers and Tour Managers
- Manage special events and projects
- Tour Sales
- Provide daily example of customer service driven tour sales
- Manage reservations through an online reservation system
- Be knowledgeable of all aspects of the tour to assist customers in booking tours and properly answer all customer inquiries
- Assist with retail sales including the management of cash, credit cards, and POS system
- Help prepare guests for their tour by ensuring all guests meet participant requirements and tactfully handle situations where guests do not meet requirements
- Solve problems that invariably arise with logistics, tour coordination, large group booking, rescheduling, and customer service issues.
Requirements:
- Four-year College degree or an Associate's Degree and two years relevant experience
- Demonstrated leadership and prior management experience
- Strong customer service orientation
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Proficient computer skills and previous cash register/POS experience
- Maintain professional appearance at all times and represent the company in a positive way
- The ability to work well under stress and pressure.
- Position uses company vehicles, so a clean driving record is needed.
- Applicants with previous experience in customer service, sales, and/or reservations especially in the seasonal tourism field will be given priority.
Hourly wages plus sales bonuses.
+ Jeep Excursion Guide
Several duties including Jeep tour guiding, Jeep maintenance and cleaning, and bus/van driving. Guides will be required to have or get a CDL with Passenger Endorsement. We will provide a bus and opportunity to get your endorsement if necessary.
Required Qualifications:
- Ability to work on feet for up up to 8-9 hours a day, with the majority of the time spent with guests.
- Ability to maintain positive attitude while working in ALL weather conditions.
- Must have a “Safety First” mentality
- Must be flexible with scheduling
- Must be willing and able to assist in maintenance as needed.
- Ability to think calmly and critically in high-stress situations.
- Strong communication skills.
- Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement.
- Clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
- First Aid and CPR certified.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 2-5 years experience working in customer service.
- Experience working in seasonal tourism a major plus.
- Familiarity with Denali National Park history, landscape and wildlife.
- Prior visitation to Denali.
+ Jeep Assistant Tour Manager
Responsible for assisting the General Manager with most day-to-day operations of Denali Jeep. This includes managing guides, tour operations, Jeep tour guiding, ordering/inventory, maintenance work on equipment, safety protocols, van/bus driving. Managers will be required to have or get a CDL with Passenger Endorsement. We will provide a bus and opportunity to get your endorsement if necessary.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum 5 years working in customer service, tourism industry preferred
- Minimum 1 year working as a tour guide in some capacity
- Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement.
- Clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
- Ability to work on feet for up to 10 hours a day.
- Must have a “Safety First” mentality
- Flexibility with scheduling.
- Ability to think calm and critically in high-stress situations.
- Ability to maintain and project a positive attitude in all weather conditions.
- Ability and willingness to coordinate and assist in maintenance as needed.
- Strong, professional written and verbal communications skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience managing in a fast-paced, guest service atmosphere.
- Experience in shuttle driving.
- General knowledge of Jeep maintenance
- Familiarity with Denali National Park history, landscape and wildlife.
- Prior visitation to Denali.
Room and Board Info:
Denali Jeep Excursions Guides are housed in a two-story log cabin 10 miles south of the Denali National Park main entrance. The cabin is complete with several bedrooms and common kitchen and living room. Housing is located at the Jeep tour launch, so the commute is short!
Denali Jeep Excursions Office Staff are housed dormitory-style next to Otto Lake in Healy, Alaska. Rooms are single occupancy (no roommates!). Kitchens and commons are in a separate building.
Both facilities include full restrooms, running water, on-site laundry, wireless internet, DirectTV, yard and deck with firepit, grills, and outdoor games. Although meals are not included, kitchens have ample cooking equipment, counter space, and appliances. Food can be purchased at Three Bears Grocery in Healy. Rates for our employee housing start at $80 per week (single occupancy) and includes all utilities. All staff wishing to live at Denali Jeep must sign a housing agreement.
If sharing housing with other employees doesn’t sound ideal to you or you travel with an animal friend, you will need to look for alternative housing. Local cabin rentals may be available, and you will have to provide your own transportation to work.
Employee Perks:
You've got to love the wilderness, mountains, and remote environments to get the most out of your summer in Denali. If the mountains are calling, spend time hiking in Denali National Park or go on an overnight camping trip! Drift lazily in nearby lakes or raft the Nenana River! Spend evenings around a bonfire, catch the northern lights, or dance to local music. Get out and meet folks from around the world and immerse yourself in the unique community that calls Denali home each summer.
Other local attractions offer complimentary or discounted tours to local employees such as whitewater rafting on the Nenana River, ziplining over the boreal forest, ATVing, meeting the puppies and Iditarod Champion sled dogs at the local kennel, flight seeing tours and glacier landings around Denali, helicopter tours with glacier landings, bus trips into the national park, fly fishing, etc.
Complete the entire season with Denali Jeep, fulfilling your contract, and receive an end-of-season bonus. Returning employees have priority during hiring, first pick at housing options, and other benefits.
Getting Here:
Denali Jeep does not pay for transportation to and from the Denali area, but we will help you to plan your transportation. The easiest and most economic option is to fly into Anchorage and take either the train or shuttle bus to Denali/Healy. We will pick you up at the local train station or bus drop-off. Our employees do receive a substantial discount on fare to Denali from the Alaska Railroad and other shuttles.
We provide a regular shuttle service around the Denali area. Denali National Park runs free and fee based shuttles throughout the park and several other hotels and restaurants run free and fee based shuttles in the Denali area.
Parking is limited at Denali Jeep and all employee cars must be disclosed at the time of employment.