Tok Alaska employment and schools

Tok is the first Alaskan community that people traveling the Alaska Highway reach. It is a community of 1400 which is unorganized. We have no town or city, no taxes, no zoning or local ordinances. Tok is a friendly place. When people have come in and tell me how friendly it is, I had always assumed they were talking about all of Alaska. I've since learned that isn't necessarily true. TOK is a friendly place.

p>I'm often asked about employment here. We are the hub for the Upper Tanana and Forty Mile region. Much of the employment here is either government (state and federal) or seasonal employment in the tourism industry. Our location about 400 miles from Whitehorse, Yukon, makes us a good day's drive from there, so it is a place to restock, wash vehicles, change dollars, etc. etc. But back to employment. We are the local headquarters for the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, the Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Department of Transportation, the Alaska Gateway School District, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Alaska Job Center and on and on.

Seasonal jobs include work at several hotels, restaurants, laundromats and gift shops. It can also include firefighting, fish and game, grocery store employment and construction. Seasonal employment is a way of life for many people.

Our local school is a K-12 school with about 250 students. Many local students are also home schooled.