Are you interested in working at one of the premier wildlife refuges in the nation this summer? The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has a few challenging, yet rewarding, job opportunities for summer 2014.

The following job areas have positions available for summer 2014:

Park Ranger (Visitor Services Specialist) — Rangers work indoors and outdoors. They operate the Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna orienting visitors to the Refuge and providing information on hiking, camping, fishing, and other recreation activities. Rangers prepare and present wildlife interpretive programs including nature walks, ranger talks, and discovery hikes.

Park Rangers also work outdoors in the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area managing fee collections and caretaking the campgrounds. They do foot patrols in campgrounds assisting visitors, and hike nearby trails while doing light duty trail work.

Park Ranger positions begin May 19 and last until August 16. Pay per hour ranges from $14.84-$16.60. (Hourly rate varies depending on number of college credits and prior job experience.)

Laborer (Cabin/Trail Crew) — Laborers in the cabin/trail crews work outdoors on cabin and trail projects in front country areas and in remote backcountry sites. Projects include historic cabin restoration, cabin and trail maintenance, trail re-routes, construction of footbridges, boardwalks, and timber stairs, and installation of drainage and erosion control structures.

Crew members use a variety of hand and power tools including chain saws. Crew members must be prepared hike with heavy packs and to overnight in spike camps at trail project sites. Positions begin on May 19 and last until August 16. Pay is $17.64 per hour.

How to Apply — You can apply through a convenient online website: USAjobs. These are the announcement numbers: Park Ranger (Visitor Services Specialist) #R7-14-1052733-AV, and for Laborer (Cabin/Trail Crew) #R7-141051769-AV. The application period is open through Friday, March 7, 2014. For more information on Park Ranger positions, contact Park Ranger Leah Eskelin at 907-260-2811 and for Laborer positions, contact Deputy Refuge Manager Steve Miller at (907) 262-7021.

Candace Ward works as a Park Ranger at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge leading the Refuge’s Information & Education Program. She looks forward each summer to working with new energetic seasonal staff. You can find more information at http://kenai.fws.gov or http://www.facebook.com/kenainationalwildliferefuge.