Escape to Solitude. Spend Winter in Remote Alaska.

GCI's Winter Caretaker is a seasonal position responsible for overseeing GCI's Agulowak Retreat during the winter closure. Located in a remote area of Alaska, this role requires living and working alone for extended periods while maintaining the security, safety, and condition of the property in an isolated wilderness environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide security for the property, buildings, equipment, and supplies through a continuous onsite presence. 

• Conduct checks of buildings and surrounding areas to help ensure facilities remain secure, protected, and in good condition throughout the winter season.

• Monitor the site for unauthorized access, signs of damage, safety concerns, or unusual activity, and notify Retreat management immediately of any urgent issues or incidents.

• Procure and prepare firewood to support lodge operations, ensuring an adequate supply for the high-demand summer operating period.

• Harvest, process, and store firewood in accordance with the requirements and restrictions outlined in the WTSP Special Use Permit.

• Perform basic building, facility, and equipment maintenance projects assigned by Retreat management. 

• Ensure the storage building remains above freezing throughout the season by monitoring temperature levels, maintaining heating systems, checking fuel supplies, and responding promptly to any issues that could impact building conditions or stored equipment and materials. 

• Perform snow removal as needed to maintain safe access to buildings, walkways, docks, emergency routes, equipment, and other key areas. 

• Complete tasks safely and efficiently by following established safety procedures, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and operating tools and equipment in a safe manner. 

• Identify maintenance concerns, potential hazards, and repair needs to help maintain a safe, functional, and well-kept environment throughout the winter season.

• Check-in with Retreat management each morning to review daily plans and report any visitors, incidents, safety concerns, or property damage. 

COMPETENCIES:

• ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.

  • Ability to withstand months of isolation and solitude, to live unassisted, and to work independently.

• BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles.

• COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.

• COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.

  • Ability to articulate information accurately in both face-to-face and phone-to-phone interactions.

  • Ability to accurately read, write, and respond to routine business correspondence such as emails, chat messages, policies, procedures, reports.

• COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.

• CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.

• RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.

• RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.

• SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.

  • Ability to safely operate an ATV in a variety of terrain, weather conditions, and seasons. 

  • Ability to safely operate a chainsaw and understand how to identify and safely cut standing dead trees. 

• TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY - Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively, such as using the company intranet and to accurately retrieve and input information into database or equivalent.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Required: 

• High School diploma or equivalent.

• Minimum of one (1) season of experience in a similar work environment with similar duties. 

Skills:

• Experience safely operating an 18-foot (or relevant size) skiff with an outboard motor for transportation of passengers, equipment, and supplies in remote environments. Ability to assess weather, water, and ice conditions and make sound decisions regarding safe travel.

• Experience operating a snowmobile in winter conditions. Knowledge of safe operating practices, basic maintenance, and emergency procedures.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: 

• This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations, offices, worksites, or other locations as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• The job site is in a remote area with no road access. Travel to and from the site depends heavily on weather conditions. Boats can be used for a limited time in the fall until the lake freezes. In winter, snowmobiles may be used when conditions are safe. Helicopters are available for emergencies.

• Includes working inside and outside in typical cold weather conditions. 

• Subject to adverse weather - may be required to work outside when temperatures can drop to -30 degrees at times. 

• Water must be brought in from the river.

• Work areas can be cramped, dark, dusty, damp, wet, stuffy, sticky, smelly, hot, and/or cold.

• Safely move, transport, position, install, remove, and maneuver equipment and supplies of up to 70-pound loads occasionally, up to 50-pounds more regularly, up to 20 pounds frequently.

• Visual acuity necessary to identify, inspect, observe, and assess details at near, mid, and far ranges.

• Ability to clearly distinguish colors for driving, identifying cables or other electrical components, and safety signage.

• Auditory acuity necessary to operate equipment; capable of distinguishing between equipment signals and the human voice often amidst background noises, such as wind, rain, and traffic.

• Ability to tolerate temperature and weather extremes found in the Alaskan environment (fumes and odors, dust, low light conditions, rain, sleet, snow, hail, wind, temperature extremes.)

• Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.

• Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively.

• Ability to make valid judgments and decisions. 

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.

Culture, Engagement, and Connection: At GCI, we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer.

EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law. 

DISCLAIMER:  The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.