Expedition Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kenai Backcountry Adventures is seeking experienced Bear Guards to ensure the safety of personnel working in remote, wildlife-prone environments across Alaska, including Arctic regions like the North Slope. This role involves monitoring bear activity, implementing deterrence measures, and responding to wildlife threats. Candidates should have relevant experience, firearm safety training, and required certifications, including Polar Bear Awareness and USFWS-approved Bear Guard Training. Frequent travel is required. Wages are based on experience and project needs (DOE). EMT certification is preferred.
About Kenai Backcountry Adventures
Kenai Backcountry Adventures (KBA) is Alaska's premier wilderness guiding company - built by explorers who live and breathe the wild. From glacier treks and bear viewing to multi-day backcountry expeditions, we lead guests through some of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth.We operate year-round across Alaska's national parks, wildlife refuges, and untamed frontiers, offering guided experiences that are as authentic as they are unforgettable.At KBA, adventure is more than a trip - it's a way of life. We're passionate about sharing the raw beauty of Alaska while fostering meaningful connections between people and the wild places that shape them.
Description
Job Title: Bear Guard / Wilderness Safety Guide
Location: Remote Field Work
Kenai Backcountry Adventures (KBA) is seeking experienced, professional, and highly self-sufficient individuals for seasonal Wilderness Safety Guide positions supporting remote Alaska field operations.
KBA Wilderness Safety Guides support remote crews, field operations, expeditions, and wilderness logistics in active brown bear habitat throughout Alaska. Personnel are responsible for wildlife risk management, remote field safety, situational awareness, and supporting safe operations in rugged backcountry environments.
This position requires mature judgment, emotional regulation, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
Successful candidates are disciplined, operationally mature, physically capable, and comfortable working independently in remote Alaska environments with minimal supervision.
Position Responsibilities

• Maintain continuous situational awareness in remote wilderness and field environments while actively supporting overall operational safety
• Provide wildlife deterrence and brown bear safety oversight for crews and remote operations
• Understand and apply appropriate wildlife deterrence escalation, including:
• situational avoidance
• verbal deterrence
• bear spray
• pyrotechnic hazing
• less-lethal deterrents
• lethal force when absolutely necessary
• Safely handle and maintain firearms, deterrent systems, and operational equipment
• Demonstrate calm, emotionally regulated decision-making during stressful or dynamic field situations
• Support remote field operations including:
• camp setup
• navigation support
• logistics assistance
• river crossings
• expedition support tasks
• Maintain professional communication with field crews, pilots, guides, contractors, and clients
• Write wildlife sighting and incident reports as required
• Operate safely and independently in rugged terrain and severe weather conditions
• Maintain daily care, cleaning, inspection, and readiness of weapons and equipment
• Communicate effectively using satellite phones, Garmin InReach devices, radios, GPS devices, maps, and compasses

Strongly Preferred Backgrounds
The strongest candidates typically possess one or more of the following:

• Prior professional Bear Guard or Wilderness Safety Guide experience
• Alaska hunting guide or big-game guiding experience
• Extensive brown bear field exposure
• Remote industrial field operations experience
• Tactical military or law enforcement operational experience
• Wilderness expedition leadership
• Wildlife deterrence or wildlife management experience
• Advanced wilderness medical certifications (WFR, EMT, CPR, etc.)

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Strong firearms competency and safe weapon handling practices
• Familiarity with pump-action shotguns and wildlife deterrence systems
• Ability to assemble, disassemble, clean, inspect, and maintain firearms
• Ability to consistently and accurately shoot targets at operational distances
• Ability to pass a background check if required by project/client
• Ability to pass drug and alcohol screening if required by project/client
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong communication and professionalism
• Basic wilderness navigation skills using GPS, maps, and compass
• Experience recreating, hunting, guiding, or working in remote wilderness environments
• Comfortable traveling in small aircraft, helicopters, boats, ATVs, and other remote transportation environments as required
• Must maintain physical and mental readiness appropriate for remote field operations

Physical & Environmental Requirements
Candidates must be capable of:

• Hiking long distances in rugged terrain
• Carrying heavy gear in remote environments
• Working long hours outdoors in severe weather
• Lifting and carrying approximately 50 pounds
• Boarding and exiting aircraft, helicopters, boats, and off-road vehicles safely
• Maintaining vigilance during extended field operations
• Living and working in remote camps with limited amenities
• Working in mountainous, river-based, and high bear-density environments
• Operating in isolated locations with limited communication access

Highly Valued Traits

• Calm demeanor under pressure
• Emotional maturity
• Situational awareness
• Strong decision-making ability
• Self-discipline
• Reliability and accountability
• Low-ego / team-first mentality
• Professional communication skills
• Ability to work cohesively in multi-disciplined field teams

This Position Is NOT a Fit For

• Individuals seeking a casual adventure job
• Applicants without serious wilderness experience
• People uncomfortable carrying firearms professionally
• Individuals requiring constant supervision
• Applicants seeking wildlife photography or tourism work
• "Tough guy" personalities lacking judgment or professionalism

Successful Wilderness Safety Guides are calm professionals - not thrill seekers.
Remote Operations Environment
Assignments may involve:

• Remote fly-in camps
• Helicopter-supported operations
• Mountainous or river-based terrain
• Active brown bear concentration areas
• Shared camp accommodations
• Variable weather and logistics
• Extended deployments in isolated locations
• Industrial field environments
• Long-duration outdoor operations

Compensation & Logistics

• Competitive hourly and deployment compensation
• Overtime opportunities
• Mobilization and demobilization compensation
• Meals and lodging typically provided while deployed
• Opportunities to work in unique and remote Alaska environments

Compensation varies depending on project scope, deployment conditions, and candidate experience.
About KBA Wilderness Safety Operations
KBA Wilderness Safety Guides support a broad range of remote Alaska field operations and expedition environments. Personnel frequently perform responsibilities beyond wildlife deterrence alone, including remote logistics support, navigation assistance, expedition support, aviation-coordinated operations, and overall wilderness risk management.