Musk Ox Farm Interpretive Guide

Musk Ox Farm is currently seeking an interpretive guide to help visitors understand the animals, the farm's gentle-husbandry mission, and qiviut production. This is an on-farm public-facing position in Palmer, not a general tourism desk job: the guide learns the biology and care context of the herd, leads visitors through the farm experience, and helps keep visitor areas ready for safe educational use. What you will do • Lead informative, engaging tours and presentations about musk-ox biology, farm history, husbandry, and qiviut. • Translate scientific and historical information into clear explanations for visitors of different ages and backgrounds. • Welcome guests, answer questions, and help people interact with the farm environment appropriately. • Keep public-facing farm areas clean, organized, professional, and ready for scheduled visitors. • Operate the point-of-sale system for qiviut products and other farm merchandise. • Assist with special events and other educational-program needs as assigned. How the work fits together A shift may begin with checking the tour schedule and preparing the visitor route, continue with several presentations and guest questions, and finish with tidying public areas or helping with an event. Guides work around a living herd and must stay within the farm's trained boundaries: they explain husbandry and fiber production without disrupting animal routines. The job rewards someone who notices both visitor needs and farm conditions and who can adjust the depth of a presentation without sacrificing accuracy. What the employer is looking for • A genuine interest in wildlife, natural history, agriculture, or animal husbandry and a willingness to learn the farm's material in depth. • Strong verbal communication or a demonstrated willingness to develop public-speaking skills. • Enthusiasm for working with visitors and the judgment to maintain a welcoming, professional environment. • Ability to collaborate with farm and interpretive staff; prior education, wildlife-biology, or customer-service experience is helpful but not required. Schedule, conditions, and compensation The farm lists $14–$17 per hour depending on skills, experience, and availability. Seasonal staff who remain in good standing through their agreed fulfillment date receive an additional $1 for every hour worked during the season. The usual season runs from early May through October, with possible year-round opportunities for exceptional candidates. The current posting also mentions a part-time opening and states that housing is not available; applicants should confirm the remaining 2026 schedule and start date. This is an in-person agricultural and animal-care position with a small operation. Daily priorities can change with weather, plant or animal condition, equipment availability, customer schedules, and the season. The successful person should arrive ready to work, communicate early when a task or condition is unclear, follow the employer's safety and quality procedures, and leave tools, vehicles, production areas, and job sites secure and ready for the next shift. Applicants should expect active work that may include long periods of standing or walking, bending, lifting, repetitive hand tasks, noise, dust, mud, pollen, heat, cold, rain, or work around moving equipment. The exact physical demands differ by assignment. Candidates should discuss any accommodation needs with the employer and confirm the final schedule, overtime treatment, training period, travel expectations, and benefit eligibility before accepting an offer. Only compensation and benefits expressly published by the employer are included here; unpublished terms have not been estimated. How to apply Email a resume, a cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience, three references, and your available start date to Education Director Dani Biersteker at dani@muskoxfarm.org. The farm asks applicants not to call and says it will contact selected candidates to schedule interviews.