Trail Breaker Kennel is a premier travel destination in Fairbanks, Alaska providing visitors from around the world a look at the lives of mushers and Alaskan huskies in Interior Alaska. Founded in 1976 by four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher and Yukon Quest champion David Monson, Trail Breaker Kennel offers seasonal kennel tours, dog sled rides, and custom tours for those looking for adventure in beautiful Alaska.
Please review our current job openings below. If you are interested in applying to an open position, fill out the online application, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible. Thanks!
Pay Scale: $15 – $17 per hour, based on experience
Job Summary
The Summer Tour handler is a wonderful position for people interested in an introduction to working with Alaskan sled dogs. It is also a great opportunity to practice public speaking and improve customer service skills. The summer handlers are responsible for much of the day-to-day care of our 35 Trail Breaker Kennel sled dogs. With an opportunity to live on property, the summer handler will be the eyes and ears on the dog yard. Summer handlers will assist in sled dog cart tours and dog mushing demonstrations by monitoring loose dogs, harnessing team, hooking up dogs, monitoring puppy play, directing guest attention and answering sled dog questions. Between tour responsibilities the summer handler is part of the kennel maintenance staff. Daily tasks can be as varied as landscaping, carpentry, dog yard & kennel maintenance and improvement projects.
Essential Duties
• Assisting Sled Dog Cart Ride tours
• Assisting with Riverboat Discovery dog mushing demonstrations (twice daily). Prepping show area, scooping poop, hooking up dogs, demonstrating puppy play etc.,
• Feed, water and pick up after dogs according to general managers dog care guidelines
• Assist with dog mushing demonstrations for 50-person groups, coordinate guest flow, direct attention, hook up dogs, monitor puppy play, answer sled dog questions etc.
• Maintain clean kennel venue: scoop poop, take trash to dump, clean water bowls etc.
• Kennel improvement projects: dog platform maintenance, mowing lawns, gate replacement, venue tent washing, watering plants, doghouse painting etc.
• Other tasks as assigned
Qualifications
• Previous experience working with and caring for dogs (preferred)
• Enthusiasm to learn about Alaskan dog mushing
• Ability to list 30lbs
• Ability to collaborate, while also being a self-starter
• Enthusiasm to work well with others
Benefits
• Hourly wage (with overtime pay)
• Relaxed working environment
• Opportunity to learn apprentice with Tour Guide leading sled dog tours
• Working within a fun industry with a small team of passionate individuals (and cuddling puppies!)
Full-Time 40hrs/week (May 15 – Sept 15, 2023) or Part-Time 20hrs/week (May 15 – Sept 15, 2023)
Pay Scale: $17 – $20 per hour, based on experience
Job Summary
The Tour Guide is an essential member of the summer tours team at Trail Breaker Kennel. This position is responsible for leading morning Sled Dog Cart Ride tours with an 8-12 dog team on a 6-seater motored ATV. Tour Guide must have experience dog mushing and working with sled dogs. The tour guide must be comfortable answering dog mushing questions for groups as large as 100 people as well as entertaining small kennel tour groups of 2-10 people. Between tour responsibilities the Tour Guide is part of the kennel maintenance staff. Daily tasks can be as varied as sled dog care, landscaping, carpentry, dog yard kennel maintenance and improvement projects.
Essential Duties
• Running Sled Dog Cart Ride tours
• Assisting with Riverboat Discovery dog mushing demonstrations (twice daily). Prepping show area, scooping poop, hooking up dogs, demonstrating puppy play etc.,
• Run sled dog “Question & Answer” session for Riverboat Discovery to groups as large at 200 people, while monitoring pen of 4-6 loose sled dogs.
• Assist with dog mushing demonstrations for 50-person groups, coordinate guest flow, direct attention, hook up dogs, monitor puppy play, answer sled dog questions etc.
• Maintain clean kennel venue: scoop poop, take trash to dump, clean water bowls etc.
• Kennel improvement projects: dog platform maintenance, mowing lawns, gate replacement, venue tent washing, watering plants, doghouse painting etc.
• Other tasks as assigned
Qualifications
• Previous experience working with and caring for sled dogs
• Mid to Long Distance sled dog racing experience (preferred)
• Experience and knowledge of the sled dog racing community and common practices in modern Alaskan dog racing
• 1-year previous sled dog tourism experience
• Ability to list 50lbs
• Excellent customer service and public speaking skills
• Ability to collaborate, while also being a self-starter
• Enthusiasm to work well with others
Benefits
• Hourly wage (with overtime pay)
• Relaxed working environment
• Working within a fun industry with a small team of passionate individuals (cuddling puppies!)
