The Juneau Icefield Research Program is seeking a Safety Lead for the upcoming summer field season, available from early July through mid-August (the second half of our student field course).
We are a non-profit educational Earth and Polar science research program. The academic curriculum is centered on an eight-week traverse of the Juneau Icefield. The 2025 cohort includes approximately 30 undergraduate students, 10 staff, and a rotating shift of 10 faculty. While many participants arrive at JIRP with prior experience in alpine techniques, our mission includes teaching many students from a novice level. The Field Safety Lead is a member of the Leadership Team of the JIRP field season. We rely on them to supervise training for all expedition members in the skills needed to manage risk and travel in the glacial environment.
Please read through the following information carefully. Additionally, we encourage you to explore the rest of the website before applying for this position. If you’re new to JIRP, we especially encourage reading about Our Mission, the Icefield Traverse, and the What to Expect pages. Although some of this information is aimed at students, it gives a good idea of the educational experience we provide.
To apply for this position, please fill out an application below. It includes a link to upload a resume. We look forward to hearing from you.
Job Description:
Follow Safety Curriculum: Teach all skills based on pre-determined JIRP Safety Curriculum. If time allows during the pre-season, the Safety Lead may have input into the Safety Curriculum,. The Safety Lead will have access to the Safety Manager to discuss the Curriculum.
Train Junior Field Safety Staff: Teach continuing workshops on intermediate and advanced skills for reading terrain, travel techniques for varied terrain, and leading small trail parties. Provide feedback and support a learning environment throughout the field season.
Train Students: Oversee continuing student safety training in mastery of novice alpine techniques.
Train Faculty: Leading several sessions of a one-day short course for newly arrived faculty in basic alpine techniques.
Providing safety oversight for daily field activities: Assist trail parties in field planning for day trips and short overnights, set up or lead day trips for small groups of students to continue skill development.
Route setting: Scout technical sections of traverse routes through accumulation, ablation, and periglacial zones,
Specific topics covered in safety training include:
Reading terrain and route finding
Crevasse rescue systems
Glacier travel (by ski and crampons)
Ski mountaineering
Group management
Risk management
Navigation (map/compass and GPS)
Qualifications:
Required
A team-oriented attitude and work ethic.
IFMGA/AMGA (or equivalent) Rock, Alpine, or Ski Mountaineering Guide track certification.
Previous demonstrated experience in a glacial environment.
Acceptance of, and agreement to actively support, both the letter and the spirit of, the JIRP Code of Conduct.
Have (or can get) a passport valid through Dec. 31, 2025.
No DUI or DWI within the last three years.
U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (JIRP cannot sponsor work visas).
Encouraged
Previous demonstrated experience in a big mountain environment.
If training is mostly in mountaineering, skiing experience is encouraged.
Prior experience either at JIRP or with a similar outdoor education/science research program.
Available early July through mid-August (this includes joining the Undergraduate Field Course halfway through the season and staying with the group through staff wrap-up). Dates can be slightly flexible
A valid driver’s license.
No DUI or DWI within the last ten years (if you do have one, you will need to file a special application to enter Canada).