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Housing Seasonal Housing Options
Dormitory style quarters in Skagway are the modern duplex or restored Peniel Mission. Usually two employees are assigned to a room. Bath and kitchen facilities are shared, as is the common or lounge area. Utilities are available for a telephone and television with cable, if the employees choose to purchase those services. Quarters at the Dyea Ranger Station are more primitive and have bath and kitchen facilities separate from the two housing units. Two to three employees are assigned to each housing unit. Although electricity is not available at the Ranger Station, each residential unit is heated and lighted by propane. The separate, shared kitchen facility is also propane fueled. Running water is available, though drinking water should first be filtered through the Katedine filter. To capture that true Alaska essence, a pit toilet is available within 100 feet of each unit. The Kalvik Bunkhouse, also in Dyea, houses four people. There is limited A/C provided by an alternative photovoltaic system. (That means you can not fire up your hairdryer or toaster oven!) Drinking water is filtered through a Katedine system. The kitchen facilities are in the bunkhouse - not in a separate structure as at the Ranger Station. And the bathroom is "fully modern" and indoors. To better balance the lesser comforts and accommodations in Dyea, the employee will find a much more quiet, natural and peaceful environment than that of congested Skagway. In addition, there are facilities along the Chilkoot trail used by those doing field or trail work. While in working in the backcountry, ranger staff are primarily stationed and based out of Sheep Camp, mile 12.5 of the Chilkoot Trail. Housing consists of a comfortable tent cabin structure, fueled and lighted by propane. There is no running water, though a nearby river provides an ample water source when filtered through a park provided Katedine system. Limited refrigeration is provided. Bear-proof food storage boxes are also provided. The ranger residence at Sheep Camp is located approximately one-half mile north of the Sheep Camp Campground. There are also facilities at Canyon City, 7.5 miles up the Chilkoot trail. Housing consists of a cabin with a wood stove for heating. There is hot and cold running water with Katedine filtered drinking water. Propane cook stove and limited refrigeration complete the amenities. And, the view is great. If you do not stay in park housing, because you have a pet or a companion who does not qualify for park housing, or because housing is not available - find housing in town before accepting a seasonal NPS position. Temporary rentals are extremely hard to find and expensive. Early in the summer of 2001, I saw a sign advertising a "room" for one person at about $600 per month. Let us assume that that was high end, but you get the picture.
If you have an RV, that is an option. Skagway has two RV parks, the Mountain View and Garden City, that rent space by the month. Expect to pay about $450 per month (2001 price) for a spot with full hookups, cable and phone extra. Also, except a pay extra for any pets and you will also be charged to park you car along side your RV. Permanent Housing Options There is no park housing for permanent NPS employees. Finding a house or apartment to rent or purchase is challenging. There are no real estate agents in town, word of mouth is the normal way to buy or sell a house. Rental units seldom come on the market and choice ones are usually "passed on" - like rent control units in New York City! But, that said - during the between April 2000 and June 2001 the park added four year around employees. And, they all found units to rent or purchase. After much searching the new Superintendent purchased a house. Our new Resource Manager bought a lot and had a manufactured home delivered - before she started to work. The new guy in Interpretation rented the same house that his predecessor had and the budget/computer specialist just "lucked into" an apartment and rented it sight unseen. |