Aurora Tour Guide & Photographer
Fairbanks
Aurora Tour Guide & Photographer
Full Time • Fairbanks
Benefits:
- Employee discounts
- Health insurance
About Borealis Basecamp
Borealis Basecamp is a northern lights-focused adventure resort in Fairbanks, AK. We provide a unique experience with sky-view igloos for viewing the aurora from the comfort of your bed.
Borealis Basecamp is part of Stellar Collection, a group of leading travel and tourism companies in Alaska. All brands under Stellar Collection share a purpose of creating lifelong memories. We are driven by a passion for sharing the wonder of Alaska with our guests and delivering outstanding customer experiences. We look for opportunities to exceed expectations and provide our guests with memories that they will tell their friends and family about and remember for the rest of their lives.
Position Details
Job Title: Aurora Tour Guide and Photographer
Location: Borealis Basecamp – Fairbanks, AK
Department: Adventures
Reports To: Adventures Manager
Employment Type: Full-time Seasonal
Season Start Date: August 2
Season End Date: April 13
Job Summary
The Aurora Tour Guide is responsible for leading off-road aurora viewing tours and/or nightly aurora portrait experiences for guests. You will also share the responsibility of giving a nightly Aurora Borealis presentation with the other photographers throughout the week. This role focuses on capturing high-quality guest photos under the northern lights while delivering an engaging and memorable experience.
Guides are expected to confidently interact with guests, provide direction for posing, monitor and have a strong understanding of aurora activity, and deliver professionally edited photos following each session. This role requires a strong balance of photography expertise and guest service skills.
This role will also be responsible for leading Aurora Viewing Tours in Borealis Basecamp’s customized Toyota Tundra Arctic Truck. You will greet guests and ensure they are appropriately geared up for the experience, give a safety briefing and overview of the tour experience, and operate the truck to safely get guests to the aurora viewing dome. Where you will entertain guests and take professional quality photos to be delivered to them following the tour. All team members at Borealis Basecamp are expected to maintain a team-first mindset, assist across departments when needed, and engage comfortably with guests from around the world.
Key Responsibilities
- Professional delivery of an established Aurora Borealis presentation, grounded in science, on a nightly basis
- Lead nightly aurora viewing and photography sessions for small groups
- Monitor aurora activity and adjust timing and locations to optimize viewing and photo opportunities
- Stage guests on igloo decks, near the arctic truck or at the aurora dome and provide direction for posing and positioning
- Capture high-quality aurora portraits using professional camera equipment
- Edit photos promptly and deliver completed images to guests using designated software systems
- Communicate clearly and professionally with guests throughout the experience
- Ensure a positive, engaging, and memorable guest experience
- Maintain photography equipment and ensure proper care and storage
- Support additional operations and perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Prior photography experience required; professional experience preferred
- Proficiency operating DSLR cameras, tripods, flashes, and multiple lenses
- Experience with photo editing software and basic computer systems
- Valid driver’s license and ability to qualify for for-hire commercial insurance coverage (clean driving record and >26 years old)
- Ability to obtain Wilderness First Responder certification. (Training offered in early August)
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work evening and overnight shifts (typically 5–6 days per week)
- Ability to stand and remain active for extended periods (up to 8 hours)
- Ability to safely operate off-road vehicles, snowmobiles and UTVs
Preferred Skills
- Experience in portrait or low-light/night photography
- Knowledge of astrotourism, the Aurora Borealis, night sky
- Strong guest service and interpersonal skills
- Creative eye for composition, lighting, and guest presentation
- Experience working in tourism, hospitality, or remote environments
- Ability to multitask and adapt in dynamic outdoor conditions
- Experience guiding
Physical Demands
- Ability to navigate uneven terrain in low-light conditions
- Ability to work in extreme weather conditions, including Arctic cold
- Ability to stand and work outdoors for extended periods
- Ability to safely handle and transport photography equipment
Compensation & Benefits
End-of-Season Bonus
A $1.50 per hour bonus is paid for every hour worked throughout the season to employees who complete the full season. Employees who leave prior to April 12 are not eligible for this bonus.
Employee Housing
On-site housing is available for $10.50 per day. Rooms are double or triple occupancy. Amenities include shared common areas with TV, Wi-Fi, dining space, and an exercise area.
Housing also includes private bathrooms, laundry facilities, staff-prepared lunch and dinner, and a self-serve continental breakfast (oatmeal, cereal, fruit, etc.).
Pre-Employment Requirements
Borealis Basecamp is committed to maintaining a safe and professional work environment. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check conducted by a third-party provider.
Employees may be subject to drug testing conducted by a third-party provider, including pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and post-incident testing, in accordance with company policy and applicable law.
Compensation: $20.00 per hour
Welcome to Borealis Basecamp, the ultimate adventure workplace! Located outside Fairbanks, Alaska, we are anything but a typical resort. Our domed igloos and cube-shaped accommodations give guests an unforgettable front-row seat to the Northern Lights and we need fun, energetic, and dedicated people to help make that magic happen.
Every day is different. You could be helping guests gear up for a thrilling dog sled ride or snowmobile tour, sharing your love of the aurora, or helping someone capture the perfect photo. Reindeer walks, and amazing excursions are just the beginning. Every activity is a chance to create memories that last a lifetime and every team member plays a key role.
We have opportunities across multiple departments where you can make an impact. Housekeepers keep rooms spotless, servers make every meal unforgettable, guides lead epic adventures, and front desk agents make every guest feel at home. Every role matters and every person helps bring the Borealis Basecamp experience to life.
Our team is close-knit, supportive, and full of energy. We work hard, have fun, and celebrate every success whether it is a guest seeing the Northern Lights for the first time, a flawless dinner service, or keeping Basecamp running smoothly. If you love adventure, meeting amazing people from around the world, learning new skills, and being part of a team that makes magic every day, Borealis Basecamp is the place for you.
Borealis Basecamp is not for everyone and that’s what makes it special. The ideal candidate is adventurous, self-motivated, and excited about living and working in a remote Alaskan environment. This is a place for people who seek experiences, not distractions.
Borealis Basecamp is not for everyone and that’s what makes it special. The ideal candidate is adventurous, self-motivated, and excited about living and working in a remote Alaskan environment. This is a place for people who seek experiences, not distractions.
Our best team members are “aurora chasers” at heart, people who will step outside at 2:00 am to catch the Northern Lights, who enjoy being unplugged from the noise, and who find energy in nature, not nightlife. If you rely heavily on constant Wi-Fi, city life, or a busy social scene, this may not be the right fit.
Instead, we’re looking for individuals who are dependable, positive, and ready to be part of a hardworking, close-knit team where everyone contributes.
Join us and make this season unforgettable for our guests and for yourself.
(if you already have a resume on Indeed)
Or apply here.
