GeoFORCE Alaska Academy-Counselors, Educational Coach and Trail Driver positions

GeoFORCE Alaska is hiring for three distinct positions: Day Counselors, Night Counselors, Educational Coach and a Trail Driver or the 2026 Academy (June 1- June 13, 2026). GeoFORCE is a field-based, summer geoscience program for high school students from rural communities in the Interior, North Slope, Northwest Arctic and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Staff will live and learn with students at UAF and accompany them on field trips. GeoFORCE staff positions are intense but rewarding. Staff must be able to work long hours, travel, and work together to create a positive learning environment.

Mandatory training and orientation will be held from June 1st thru June 3 and the Academy is from June 3rd-13th. Requirements, position duties and pay are detailed below. 

Application review date: Review of applications will begin February 9, 2026 and continue until all positions have been filled.

To be considered, the following are required to be submitted:
-A cover letter stating which position(s) you are interested in;
-A resume; and
-3 professional references (prior work related if possible) with contact information. 

REQUIREMENTS for ALL positions:
1. Attendance at staff training and orientation sessions June 1-3
2. Completion of additional online training prior to the start of the Academy on June 3rd
3. Possession of a valid drivers' license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria
4. Must be willing to share a room with other staff at hotels and dormitories
5. Must not consume alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or other drugs on campus or at any time during the Academy; UAF is a drug-free workplace
6. The successful applicant is required to complete a background check if they have not worked for UA in the last 5 years. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

☎️ If you have questions re: GeoFORCE Alaska, please contact Justine Schmidt at jaschmidt4@alaska.edu. Questions re: the application process should be directed to Sheri Hall, CNSM HR Coordinator, at sahall5@alaska.edu, or 907-474-6714.

**To be eligible for these positions, applicants must be legally authorized for unrestricted employment in the United States. No work visas will be sponsored for this position.

POSITIONS:

Day Counselors:  Day Counselors work with teams of ~6 GeoFORCE students to ensure safety and facilitate teamwork in the classroom and the field. They will coordinate group work during projects, answer students' questions, promote positive peer interactions, and assist the Instructor, Coordinator and Educational Coach during classroom activities, field stops, review sessions, and exams. Counselors are also expected to attend nightly staff meetings, participate in pre-trip orientation and training sessions, and help organize meeting areas and common spaces. They may also be asked to supervise student activities during free time, help to load or unload luggage, or make morning wake-up calls. Additional Requirement: Completion of a two-semester introductory sequence in Geosciences (physical and historical geology) with a minimum grade of B- in each course.  Salary is $1820 total 

Night Counselors: Night Counselors serve as the primary point of contact for students during evening free time and after lights out. Their duty is to ensure participant safety after the conclusion of instruction. To this end, Night Counselors supervise free-time activities, distribute snacks and reminders, and respond to requests for supplies or assistance after hours. Additional duties include organizing students during travel, assisting the Trail Driver with logistical tasks, loading or unloading luggage, and maintaining meeting areas and common spaces. Additional Requirement: Completion of a two-semester introductory sequence in Geosciences (physical and historical geology) with a minimum grade of B- in each course.  Salary is $1820 total 

Trail Driver: The Trail Driver (TD) will serve as the primary driver of the program trail vehicle (a minivan or SUV) for the duration of the trip, provide logistical support to staff and student participants, and purchase takeout meals, snacks, and instructional supplies as needed. Additional duties include organizing students during travel, providing instructional support in classroom or field settings, loading or unloading luggage, and maintaining meeting areas and vehicle interiors. Salary $2450 total

Educational Coach: The Educational Coach (EC) for GeoFORCE Alaska is responsible for designing and leading daily review sessions based on pre-Academy planning and discussion with the GeoFORCE Director. Throughout the Academy, the EC works closely with the GeoFORCE Instructor, Counselors, and students on the bus and in the field to ensure that information is delivered at the appropriate level. The EC will work directly with students on the bus, in the field, and in the classroom in order to help them develop good study habits, work as a team, master vocabulary, connect concepts and features, and complete field projects. The EC also serves as an advisor to the staff on issues of instructional design and student engagement. In this capacity, the EC will proofread and edit pre/post tests and daily quizzes, participate in face-to-face or online counselor training, and advise counselors with educational and/or developmental questions. The EC will grade daily quizzes and participate in nightly staff meetings to prepare for the following day's activities. Additional Requirements: 1. At least two years of experience teaching middle or high school students, preferably in rural Alaskan communities. 2. A Bachelor's degree in a related field (i.e. geoscience, geology, earth science, or education). 3. Participation in online planning sessions with the Director prior to June 3.  Salary $3300 total

The University of Alaska reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at its facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.