Wrangell Mountains Center

Profile Jobs

The Kitchen Assistant (KA) directly supports the Kitchen Manager (KM)
in providing the structure and organization necessary for a smoothly operating work kitchen environment, as a part of a collaborative leadership team working toward the successful operations of the campus, programs, gardens, and facilities. The KA works closely with the KM and Director of Operations, and reports to the KM.

This position is ideally suited for someone who shares our values, is energized by our mission and vision, and can function effectively/professionally in an off-grid, wilderness setting with limited amenities.

Essential Core Responsibilities:

• Assist in maintaining food inventory, recording and monitoring food budget, and preparing food & kitchen supply orders
• Assist in implementing a buffet style service system to ensure quality, nutritious meals (mostly vegetarian) are provided for program participants and staff, 3x daily, 7 days a week 
• Maintain a clean and well-organized kitchen environment for cooking, food storage, and dining
• Work with the KM and Director of Operations to manage the preparation and use of our gardens (2-4 raised beds) with the collaboration of staff and volunteers, incorporating garden-fresh greens as frequently as possible.
• Proactive Communication: Communicate regularly and effectively with leadership as a member on the WMC leadership team
• Assist in maintaining systems of organization for the kitchen and pantry areas

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in managing systems and/or areas adjacent to the kitchen (e.g., Staff Room, Firewood, etc.)
• Work with the KM and other Kitchen staff and/or volunteers to ensure that meals are prepared and served for groups of varying sizes (10 to 50), including cooking and baking
• Sustainably manage leftovers, food waste, and compost with the guidance of the KM
• Ensure an understanding of and adherence to applicable food health and safety standards 
• Providing guidance/direction to volunteers regarding kitchen duties
• Promote an understanding of and commitment to WMC policies including general health and safety as well as judicious use of water and power systems
• Assist with May preseason campus opening (e.g., cleaning and implementing systems of organization)

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Ability to forgo most urban amenities in a remote setting for the duration of the season
• Track record of successful positions in a kitchen
• Experience working with vegetarian/vegan proteins
• Interpersonal communication skills and team building in a collaborative, egalitarian culture
• Experience including fresh greens and vegetables in daily meals
• Ability to accommodate dietary restrictions including dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan
• Experience in a camp kitchen setting or remote kitchen environment
• Self-starter
• Must possess or acquire Alaska Food Workers card
• Safely lift up to 50 lbs

Desired Additional Skills and Abilities:

• Reliable, flexible, organized, and attentive to detail
• Interest in sustainability and communal living, and learning new skills
• Familiarity with WMC as well as the local McCarthy and Kennicott communities
• Professional experience working seasonally in Alaska
• Familiarity with living communally with fellow team members
• Basic understanding of operating a small garden including planning, maintenance and harvest
• Enthusiasm for recruiting kitchen volunteers from local WMC supporters, community members and local seasonal employees 

Estimated time commitment: Approximately May 1st – September 15th (depending on the needs and activities of WMC), averaging 40-50 hours/week. Due to a variety of unique factors, our 2024 summer season will be an exceptionally challenging one, and more hours may be required. 

Compensation: $2,500/month including meals and primitive lodging (valued at approximately $1,200 per month)

The WRANGELL MOUNTAINS CENTER (WMC) is based in McCarthy, Alaska, providing residential and walk-in experiential education programs that foster discovery through direct contact with diverse environments. Meeting the needs of students, writers, artists, scientists, travelers, and local citizens, we offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to explore, express, and be transformed in this extraordinary place surrounded by wilderness. The WMC operates on a model of sustainability and resource conservation. Facilities are remote and off-the-grid, operating mostly with solar power and water pumped from our wells. Meals and chores (e.g., harvesting garden produce, splitting firewood, cleaning up) are shared between staff, volunteers, and sometimes program participants.

The Wrangell Mountains Center is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to developing and retaining a diverse workforce. We're striving to build an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued and our rich diversity is celebrated by everyone. We especially encourage Alaska Native, Black, Asian, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ applicants as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.
 

The Operations Assistant (OA) directly supports the Director of Operations (DO) in providing the structure and organization necessary for the smooth operations of our summer programming, communications and hospitality, as a part of a collaborative leadership team working toward the successful operations of the campus, programs, gardens, and facilities. The OA works closely with and reports to the DO.

This position is ideally suited for someone who shares our values, is energized by our mission and vision, and can function effectively/professionally in an off-grid, wilderness setting with limited amenities.

Essential Core Responsibilities:

• Assist in providing hospitality services to our guests through our rental platforms and while on-site
• Assist in the setup and breakdown of our campus spaces for events, programs and meetings
• Organize, plan and help execute WMC summer programs, under the direction of the DO
• Assist in and provide feedback for well-functioning internal systems of organization
• Assist in the creation of content for and distribution of our communications
• Proactive Communication: Communicate regularly and effectively with leadership as a member on the WMC leadership team, and assist in maintaining effective systems of internal communication

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in keeping our campus spaces beautiful and functional for guests and our local community
• Be proactive in ensuring that our guests and program participants have their needs met
• Assist in taking inventory of campus resources and needs
• Give consistent attention to our internal calendar to prepare for programming
• Assist in communications with guests, program participants, and program hosts in preparation for arrivals and in followup
• Cleaning and preparing guest accommodations and spaces for events and programming
• Providing guidance/direction to volunteers regarding operational needs of the campus
• Promote an understanding of and commitment to WMC policies including general health and safety as well as judicious use of water and power systems
• Assist with May preseason campus opening (e.g., cleaning and implementing systems of organization)
• Assist in the management of our swag store by collecting payments and donations

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Ability to forgo most urban amenities in a remote setting for the duration of the season
• Track record of successful positions in areas of operations, administration, and/or communications
• Experience in hospitality and customer service
• Interpersonal communication skills and team building in a collaborative, egalitarian culture
• Experience using Google Suite and Calendar, Word, Excel, Airtable, Canva and Squarespace
• Must possess a laptop capable of uploading and editing photos and videos and a smartphone (preferably with Verizon as this is the only carrier with service in McCarthy)
• Driver’s license and good driving record
• Safely lift up to 50 lbs

Desired Additional Skills and Abilities:

• Reliable, flexible, organized, and attentive to detail
• Possesses a warm and welcoming demeanor suitable to host and engage with our guests
• Interest in sustainability and communal living, and learning new skills
• Familiarity with WMC as well as the local McCarthy and Kennicott communities
• Professional experience working seasonally in Alaska
• Familiarity with living communally with fellow team members
• Sincere interest  in our programming and events
• Ability to contribute innovative ideas to elevate our ability to serve our community and guests
• Enthusiasm for recruiting volunteers from local WMC supporters, community members and local seasonal employees  
• Estimated time commitment: Approximately May 1st – September 15th (depending on the needs and activities of WMC), averaging 40 hours/week. Due to a variety of unique factors, our 2024 summer season will be an exceptionally challenging one, and more hours may be required. 

Compensation: $2,500/month including meals and primitive lodging (valued at approximately $1,200 per month)

The WRANGELL MOUNTAINS CENTER (WMC) is based in McCarthy, Alaska, providing residential and walk-in experiential education programs that foster discovery through direct contact with diverse environments. Meeting the needs of students, writers, artists, scientists, travelers, and local citizens, we offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to explore, express, and be transformed in this extraordinary place surrounded by wilderness. The WMC operates on a model of sustainability and resource conservation. Facilities are remote and off-the-grid, operating mostly with solar power and water pumped from our wells. Meals and chores (e.g., harvesting garden produce, splitting firewood, cleaning up) are shared between staff, volunteers, and sometimes program participants.

The Wrangell Mountains Center is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to developing and retaining a diverse workforce. We're striving to build an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued and our rich diversity is celebrated by everyone. We especially encourage Alaska Native, Black, Asian, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ applicants as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.
 

This position is ideally suited for a photographer who shares our love of wild spaces and our appreciation for sustainability and off -grid wilderness communities.

Goals and Objectives:

Develop Critical Thinking regarding: technology; human connection to wilderness; impact of public policy on ecosystems; and the dynamics of human and nonhuman communities. Take time for solitude, to reflect on the ways in which this impacts you, personally.

Gain Experience — Appreciate from first-hand experience the intelligence and hard work required to operate in an off-grid setting and a primitive lifestyle. Engage with a seasonal, summer community actively living in an intentional and mindful manner,

Develop Your Portfolio — Experience the freedom of being able to creatively capture our programming, campus lifestyle and incredible landscapes in a way that speaks to your artistic calling.

Impact the Community — Bring your personal experiences, knowledge and insights to the WMC and become a major contributor to the ongoing evolution of our organization.

General Responsibilities:

• Participate in and/or observe our community events, and programming while capturing photos and video
• Participate in and/or observe backcountry trips while capturing photos and video
• Work with our Director of Operations to set goals around content needed for our communications
• Artistically capture our landscapes and campus lifestyle
• Edit images and video on your software and devices

A Position Tailored To You:

• We can customize this position to suit your interests, skill level and future goals.
• There are always opportunities to be involved with the full life of activity at the WMC, and you will occasionally be asked to pitch in with other areas of campus life, such as assisting with programming, helping in the kitchen.
• We see this eclectic mix as being a way to take in a holistic view of our organization. This multidimensional position is designed to maximize your experience, to go deep and wide.
• You will have the ability to treat this position as a way to explore the artistic skills you are interested in, similar to an artist in residence while also providing the WMC with inspiring content for our communications.

Estimated time commitment: June – August, 30 hours/week. These hours may vary being that the position is mostly based on the delivery of content.

Compensation: This is a volunteer position with a monthly $500 stipend. Room and board is provided, valued at $1,200 per month; this consists of healthy, primarily vegetarian meals and primitive lodging.

This position is ideally suited for a handy fixer-oriented person who shares our love of wild spaces and our appreciation for sustainability and of -grid wilderness communities.

Goals and Objectives:

Develop Critical Thinking regarding: technology; human connection to wilderness; impact of public policy on ecosystems; and the dynamics of human and nonhuman communities. Take time for solitude, to reflect on the ways in which this impacts you, personally.

Gain Experience — Appreciate from first-hand experience the intelligence and hard work required to operate in an off-grid setting and a primitive lifestyle. Engage with a seasonal, summer community actively living in an intentional and mindful manner.

Build Leadership Skills — Target your internship to your own goals and develop leadership within an organization that values and practices collaboration and cooperation.

Impact the Community — Bring your personal experiences, knowledge and insights to the WMC and become a major contributor to the ongoing evolution of our organization.

General Responsibilities:

• Track power system (solar) levels and performance
• Monitor water levels and usage
• Basic repairs/maintenance (commensurate to skill level)
• Assist in facilities projects in process
• Keep tools/equipment well organized
• Encourage/remind WMC crew, guests and program participants to be mindful of power and water usage

An Internship Tailored To You:

• Each internship is customized to your interests, skill level and future goals. You may choose to “mix and match” your internship by wearing more than one hat, e.g., by combining a Facilities Internship with a Food & Fork Internship or Media Internship, etc.
• There are always opportunities to be involved with the full life of activity at the WMC, and you will occasionally be asked to pitch in with other areas of campus life, such as assisting with programming, helping in the kitchen
• We see this eclectic mix as being a way to take in a holistic view of our organization. Our multidimensional internship program is designed to maximize your experience, to go deep and
• wide.
• Contact us to learn more about how your interests and skills can be honed and developed with an internship at the Wrangell Mountains Center.

Estimated time commitment: June – August, 40 hours/week. (Depending on availability, internships may begin in May when we open the campus and may extend through mid-September
during campus shut-down.)

Compensation: This is a volunteer internship with a monthly $500 stipend. Room and board is provided, valued at $1,200 per month; this consists of healthy, primarily vegetarian meals and primitive lodging.

Our Facilities:

The Wrangell Mountains Center is headquartered in The Old Hardware Store, a historic building, originally serving boomtown McCarthy during the Kennecott copper mining period of the early 20th century. Abandoned in 1938, the structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places after founding WMC board member Sally Gibert initiated ongoing stabilization and restoration efforts in 1976. What was once a store and rooming house is now an active, rustic, educational center with libraries, seminar rooms, kitchen and garden, and studio and office space for visiting scholars and artists.

Porphyry Place, an Alaskan homestead cabin acquired and added to the WMC campus in 2012, is used for public lectures, yoga, youth programs, and as
a classroom. There are two live-work studios behind the cabin managed as WMC housing for visiting instructors, artists in residence, and researchers. One is a tiny cabin (10X10) called The Bungalow which has a small wood stove. The other is called The Loft which is above the tool shed (Ed’s shop) and will likely be used
as a staff lounge in 2024. This past summer we recently built two Guest Cabins, small log cabins for additional guest accommodations. These units will need to be finished with tasks like installing a floor, a door, and a wood stove. Additionally, we have The Greenhouse which is also used as a staff shower and sauna and potentially a laundry room. We are in the process of discussing a plan for the use of this space.

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Be a part of something bigger, an organization dedicated to sustainability, the value and exploration of wildlands, and the meaning of our connection to wilderness — and to each other. You will be on a team of thoughtful, creative people working in collaboration with each other to achieve the mission of the Wrangell Mountains Center: to connect people with wildlands. There’s a lot that goes on, behind the scenes, to run our off-grid facilities in a wilderness setting. Play a critical role in creating an ideal setting and context for our staff and program participants to take full advantage of our exceptional programs and connect with this incredible place in the Wrangell Mountains.

This position is ideally suited for someone with a passion for food who shares our love of wild spaces and our appreciation for sustainability and off -grid wilderness communities.

Goals and Objectives:

Gain Experience — Appreciate from first-hand experience the intelligence and hard work required to operate in an off the-grid setting and a primitive lifestyle. Experience a seasonal, summer community, a unique opportunity to be a part of a short-term community, actively living in an intentional and mindful manner.

Build Leadership Skills — Target your internship to your own goals and develop leadership within an organization that values and practices collaboration and cooperation.

Develop Critical Thinking regarding: technology; human connection to wilderness; impact of public policy on ecosystems; and the dynamics of human and nonhuman
communities. And take time for solitude, to reflect on the ways in which this impacts you, personally.

Impact the Community — Bring your personal experiences, knowledge and insights to the WMC and become a major contributor to the ongoing evolution of our organization.

General Responsibilities:

• Food prep / Cooking
• Gardening
• General chores

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare and serve meals for groups of varying sizes (10 to 40), including cooking and baking in accordance with your skill level
• Plant gardens; water, weed and maintain garden throughout the summer season
• Observe and encourage others to abide by WMC policies for general health and safety as well as judicious use of resources (water and power systems)
• Assist in tracking food inventory and kitchen supplies

Estimated time commitment: June – August, 40 hours/week. (Depending on availability, internships may begin in May when we open the campus and may extend through mid-September during campus shut-down.)

Compensation: This is a volunteer internship with a monthly $500 stipend. Room and board is provided, valued at $1,200 per month; this consists of healthy, primarily vegetarian meals and primitive lodging.

Tailored to Your Interests and Development:

• Each internship is customized to your interests, skill level and future goals. You may choose to “mix and match” your internship by wearing more than one hat, e.g., by combining a Food & Fork Internship with a Facilities Internship or Media Internship, etc.
• There are always opportunities to be involved with the full life of activity at the WMC, and you will occasionally be asked to pitch in with other areas of campus life, such as assisting with programming, splitting firewood, assisting with facilities projects and campus chores (in accordance with ability, time availability, and skill level). In rural Alaska, we all pitch in, our work connects us with each other.
• We see this eclectic mix as being a way to take in a holistic view of our organization. Our multi-dimensional internship program is designed to maximize your experience, to go deep and wide.
• Contact us to learn more about how your interests and skills can be honed and developed with an internship at the Wrangell Mountains Center.

---

Be a part of something bigger, an organization dedicated to sustainability, the value and exploration of wilderness, and the meaning of our connection to wilderness — and to each other. We are an organization that celebrates the interconnection of all life. As an intern, you will be a part of a dynamic collaboration of people who value wildlands and seek to deepen our connections with the nonhuman world.

The kitchen is the heart of the WMC, and the table is the emotional center, where we gather, refuel, and exchange our stories and experiences. Similar to the heart organ, the kitchen is the center of a great amount of activity and much work, challenging but rewarding! Spend a summer at the center of it all, engaging in stimulating conversations with other like-minded folks from around the globe.

The Kitchen Manager (KM) oversees the kitchen operations as a part of a collaborative leadership team working toward the successful operations of the campus, programs, gardens, and facilities. The Wrangell Mountains Center (WMC) is a private nonprofit that promotes living in close relationship with wilderness and with our local community. We also model an off-grid lifestyle by reducing our ecological impact.

The Wrangell Mountains Center values and practices cooperation and collaboration among the staff as well as program participants. The KM provides the structure and organization necessary for a smoothly operating work environment. The KM works closely with the Director of Operations and Executive Director and reports to the Executive Director.

The kitchen is the working heart of our organization. Food reminds us of our interconnectedness, and shared meals are essential to maintain our culture of cooperation, collaboration and positive staff morale. 

This position is ideally suited for someone who shares our values, is energized by our mission and vision, and can function effectively/professionally in an off-grid, wilderness setting with limited amenities.

Essential Core Responsibilities:

• Maintain food inventory, record and monitor food budget, and prepare food & kitchen supply orders
• Implement a buffet style service system to ensure quality, nutritious meals (mostly vegetarian) are provided for program participants and staff, 3x daily, 7 days a week. 
• Prepare weekly work schedules for kitchen staff and volunteers
• Maintain a clean and well-organized kitchen environment for cooking, food storage, and dining
• Work with the Director of Operations to manage the preparation and use of our gardens (2-4 raised beds) with the support of staff and volunteers, incorporating garden-fresh greens as frequently as possible.
• Proactive Communication: Communicate regularly and effectively with leadership as a central member on the WMC leadership team; Communicate expectations with all kitchen staff
• Create and maintain systems of organization for the kitchen and pantry areas

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage or assist in managing systems and/or areas adjacent to the kitchen (e.g., Staff Room, Firewood, etc.)
• Ensure that meals are prepared and served for groups of varying sizes (10 to 50), including cooking and baking, managing kitchen volunteers and staff as well as delegating tasks
• Sustainably manage leftovers, food waste, and compost
• Ensure an understanding of and adherence to applicable food health and safety standards 
• Providing guidance/direction to other staff and volunteers regarding kitchen duties
• Promote an understanding of and commitment to WMC policies including general health and safety as well as judicious use of water and power systems
• Manage May preseason campus opening (e.g., cleaning, creating and implementing systems of organization)

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Ability to forgo most urban amenities in a remote setting for the duration of the season
• Track record of successful kitchen management
• Extensive experience working with vegetarian/vegan proteins
• Interpersonal communication skills and team building in a collaborative, egalitarian culture
• Experience operating a small garden, understanding basic garden planning, maintenance and harvesting
• Experience including fresh greens and vegetables in daily meals
• Ability to accommodate dietary restrictions including dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan
• Leading and mentoring multiple people in a dynamic off-grid environment
• Experience in a camp kitchen setting
• Self-starter
• Must possess or acquire Alaska Food Workers card
• Safely lift up to 50 lbs

Desired Additional Skills and Abilities:

• Reliable, flexible, organized, and attentive to detail
• Interest in sustainability and communal living, and learning new skills
• Familiarity with the Wrangell Mountains Center as well as the local McCarthy and Kennicott communities
• Professional experience working seasonally in Alaska
• Familiarity with living communally with fellow team members
• Enthusiasm for recruiting kitchen volunteers from local WMC supporters, community members and local seasonal employees  

Estimated time commitment:

Approximately May 1st – September 15th (depending on the needs and activities of WMC), averaging 50-60 hours/week. Due to a variety of unique factors, our 2024 summer season will be an exceptionally challenging one, and more hours may be required. Part-time remote work will be required before on-site position start date. These will be used to complete required trainings and courses, contribute to hiring kitchen staff and attend planning meetings. Part-time work will potentially be  5-10 hours per month, paid hourly, beginning in January.

Compensation:

$3,100/month including meals and primitive lodging (valued at approximately $1,200 per month)

The WRANGELL MOUNTAINS CENTER (WMC) is based in McCarthy, Alaska, providing residential and walk-in experiential education programs that foster discovery through direct contact with diverse environments. Meeting the needs of students, writers, artists, scientists, travelers, and local citizens, we offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to explore, express, and be transformed in this extraordinary place surrounded by wilderness. The WMC operates on a model of sustainability and resource conservation. Facilities are remote and off-the-grid, operating mostly with solar power and water pumped from our wells. Meals and chores (e.g., harvesting garden produce, splitting firewood, cleaning up) are shared between staff, volunteers, and sometimes program participants.

The Wrangell Mountains Center is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to developing and retaining a diverse workforce. We're striving to build an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued and our rich diversity is celebrated by everyone. We especially encourage Alaska Native, Black, Asian, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ applicants as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.
 

The Facilities Manager (FM) oversees the facilities as a part of a collaborative leadership team working toward the successful operations of the campus. The Wrangell Mountains Center (WMC) is a private nonprofit that promotes living in close relationship with wilderness and with our local community. We also model an off-grid lifestyle by reducing our ecological impact.

The Wrangell Mountains Center values and practices cooperation and collaboration among the staff as well as program participants. The FM provides the structure and organization necessary for a smoothly operating work environment. The FM works closely with the Director of Operations and the Executive Director and reports to the Executive Director.

The WMC facilities are deeply meaningful to our organization. We seek someone to invest expertise and care, to generate pride in our facilities.

This position is ideally suited for someone who shares our values, is energized by our mission and vision, and can function effectively/professionally in an off-grid, wilderness setting with limited amenities.

Essential Core Responsibilities:

• Maintain an organized, clean and beautiful campus that our organization can take pride in
• Building projects, maintenance, and repairs- such as tent platforms, wall tent frames, shelving, building leaks, etc.
• Maintain energy system: Solar, battery, and generator system upkeep
• Monitor and maintain the water system
• Vehicle maintenance/upkeep and town trips as necessary for resupply
• Supervise staff, interns and volunteers 
• Work with the Director of Operations to schedule staff, interns and volunteers in the Facilities department
• Proactive Communication: Communicate regularly and effectively with leadership as a central member on the WMC leadership team; Communicate expectations with all facilities workers

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute expertise (particularly through an off-grid and green energy lens) towards the planning of facilities projects and pre-season logistics, primarily via the Facilities Committee (meeting one to two times per month during the winter season)
• Work with WMC summer staff leadership to coordinate priorities and delegate tasks for Facilities team
• Ensure that the WMC campus is safe and functional, complying w/ applicable safety standards
• Assist in planning and implementing capital building projects
• Proactively identifies the needs of our campus facilities and initiates actions to address them
• Promote an understanding of and commitment to WMC values and policies including general health and safety as well as judicious use of water and power systems

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Track record of successful facilities management
• Proactive in communications
• Ability to forgo most urban amenities in a remote setting for the duration of the season
• Intermediate construction and carpentry skills
• Familiarity with solar systems, generators, propane systems, and vehicle mechanics
• Extensive experience working with small power and hand tools
• Basic knowledge of and experience with operating and installing energy systems including DC and AC
• Basic knowledge of  plumbing and well systems
• Ability to delegate and oversee work of others
• Driver’s license with good driving record and ability to operate a manual pickup with a trailer
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 lb
• Leading people in a dynamic off-grid environment
• Self-starter
• Organized and attentive to detail

Desired Additional Skills and Abilities:

• Interpersonal communication skills and team building in a collaborative culture
• Reliable and flexible, inspiring confidence and trust from co-workers
• Interest in sustainability and communal living, and learning new skills
• Familiarity with the Wrangell Mountains Center as well as the local McCarthy and Kennicott communities
• Knowledge of historic buildings
• Experience living in rugged, remote places similar to Alaska
• Enthusiasm for recruiting facilities volunteers from local WMC supporters, community members and local seasonal employees  

Estimated time commitment:

Approximately May 1st  –  September 15th  (depending on WMC activities and needs), averaging 40 hours/week.

Due to a variety of unique factors, our 2024 summer season will be an exceptionally challenging one, and more hours may be required. Part-time remote work will be required before on-site position start date. These will be used to complete required trainings and courses, contribute to hiring facilities staff and attend planning meetings. Part-time work will potentially be  5-10 hours per month, paid hourly, beginning in January.

Compensation:

$3,100/month including meals and primitive lodging (valued at approximately $1,200 per month)

Our Facilities:

The Wrangell Mountains Center is headquartered in The Old Hardware Store, a historic building, originally serving boomtown McCarthy during the Kennecott copper mining period of the early 20th century. Abandoned in 1938, the structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places after founding WMC board member Sally Gibert initiated ongoing stabilization and restoration efforts in 1976. What was once a store and rooming house is now an active, rustic, educational center with libraries, seminar rooms, kitchen and garden, and studio and office space for visiting scholars and artists.

Porphyry Place, an Alaskan homestead cabin acquired and added to the WMC campus in 2012, is used for public lectures, yoga, youth programs, and as a classroom.

There are two live-work studios behind the cabin managed as WMC housing for visiting instructors, artists in residence, and researchers. One is a tiny cabin (10X10) called The Bungalow which has a small wood stove. The other is called The Loft which is above the tool shed (Ed’s shop) and will likely be used as a staff lounge in 2024.

This past summer we recently built two Guest Cabins, small log cabins for additional guest accommodations. These units will need to be finished with tasks like installing a floor, a door and a wood stove.

Additionally we have The Greenhouse which is also used as a staff shower and sauna and potentially a laundry room. We are in the process of discussing a plan for the use of this space which the candidate will have a significant contribution to. 

The WRANGELL MOUNTAINS CENTER (WMC) is based in McCarthy, Alaska, providing residential and walk-in experiential education programs that foster discovery through direct contact with diverse environments. Meeting the needs of students, writers, artists, scientists, travelers, and local citizens, we offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to explore, express, and be transformed in this extraordinary place surrounded by wilderness. The WMC operates on a model of sustainability and resource conservation. Facilities are remote and off-the-grid, operating mostly with solar power and water pumped from our wells. Meals and chores (e.g., harvesting garden produce, splitting firewood, cleaning up) are shared between staff, volunteers, and sometimes program participants.

The Wrangell Mountains Center is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to developing and retaining a diverse workforce. We're striving to build an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued and our rich diversity is celebrated by everyone. We especially encourage Alaska Native, Black, Asian, Latinx and LGBTQ+ applicants as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.