Interpretive Cave Tour Guide

Join our team venturing into the dark, mysterious, underground world of Kartchner Caverns State Park. Kartchner Caverns State Park showcases a well-preserved limestone cave system, which in accordance with the mission of Arizona State Parks and Trails is managed and conserved for the benefit of the people of our state, country, and world. During your time here, you will both lead and assist with tours of the cave system imparting to our visitors understanding of the delicate ecosystem of a cave and enhancing their knowledge of this rarely visited part of the natural world. Kartchner Caverns State Park is one of the best protected showcaves in the world. It was the first cave system in the world developed to be 100 percent wheelchair accessible allowing nearly every interested person to see this natural wonder.

-Lead and assist with guided interpretive cave tours (70%)

-Assisting our natural resource staff with environmental monitoring data collection and day to day cave upkeep (20%)

-Environmental outreach and interpretive programing (5%)

-Facility upkeep (5%)

These duties will be carried out while working directly with both park rangers and volunteers. These will be your colleagues and mentors during your time at the cave. The work week will be 5 days a week 8 and a ½ hours per day with a half hour lunch each day. This will include weekends, holidays and the occasional evening. Weather conditions on the surface of Kartchner Caverns State Park are typically pleasant, however, there are periods of the year which are subject to extreme heat and extreme cold. Daytime highs in the summer can exceed 105 degrees fahrenheit and winter highs will not exceed 40 degrees on a small number of days per year. The environment of the cave is a constant 72 degrees fahrenheit and 99% humidity. The position will require you to remain standing for much of the day, much of that time will be underground in a warm and very humid environment. Each cave tour is either 80 minutes or 105 minutes long and requires a ½ mile walks each time. This position is ideal for those who like to tell a good story, with an interest in geology, hydrology, history, public speaking, and those who would like to gain skills for a career in natural resource management

Leisure/Recreation Opportunities:

Kartchner Caverns is ideally located near many interesting and exciting off time attractions. Hiking opportunities abound as there are several mountain ranges located within a one hour driving radius. Several of these “sky island” ranges reach 9,000 ft of elevation and feature an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna as they reach up from the desert floor. The artist community of Bisbee, Arizona is approximately 50 miles southeast of the park and offers many interesting art galleries, restaurants, and unique stores all nestled into an historic architectural gem of a downtown. For lovers of all things western the town of Tombstone, Arizona is 26 miles East of Kartchner Caverns and features historical reenactments, period costumes, and restaurants. Tucson, is a very easy one-hour drive from the park and features cosmopolitan dining, nightlife, and lodging options.

October 4, 2021 to May 29, 2022

Arizona State Parks and Trails

PO-00732204