Dog Musher

Holland America-Princess (Holland America Dawson City Inn); Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 29,549 - 42,085; Full time

Job summary

Alaska X is seeking a Dog Musher to lead a 16-dog team in providing authentic dog sled rides in Skagway and Juneau. You will present educational talks daily and ensure the welfare of the dogs while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

The role requires strong outdoor endurance, safety-first mindset, and excellent communication to engage guests during kennel talks and tours.

Qualifications

• Knowledge to safely run a team of 16 dogs.
• Working knowledge of sled dog information.
• Excellent communication with discretion and tact.
• Skilled in guest attentiveness and needs.

Responsibilities

• Ensure guests experience a memorable excursion and capture guest information for management as needed.
• Monitor guest and dog safety at all times.
• Report dog health issues to management immediately.
• Provide dog care: feeding, watering, brushing, and waste cleanup.
• Perform pre/post-tour duties: cleaning, trash, refreshment area, and equipment maintenance.
• Safely give one-mile sled rides with accurate information about self, dogs, and mushing.
• Assist guests in boarding/exiting vehicles.
• Deliver 20–30 minute kennel talks with accurate information.
• Prepare sleds, photograph guests, and introduce teams to guests.
• Hook up dogs safely and pair them to avoid fights.
• Unhook dogs and return them to houses; maintain harnesses and gear.

Skills

Dog team management

Dog handling

Guest interaction

Public speaking

Job description

Alaska X

Dog Musher

$26.00 / hour

Skagway

,

Juneau

$2/hour bonus upon completing contract!!

SUMMARY

Responsible for the direct care and management of 18-36 dogs. Provides safe and informative dog sled rides and presents numerous 20 to 30 minute presentations on dog sledding to guests on a daily basis. In all tasks, position is responsible for adhering to the company’s policy regarding the treatment of its animals.

MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures guests experience the “E.X.C.U.R.S.I.O.N. of a lifetime” by being attentive to the needs and/or wants of the guests, answering any and all questions guests may have throughout the excursion, and notifying management of unhappy guests and/or obtaining guests’ information for management to contact them
• Monitors the safety of our guests and dogs at all times
• Immediately reports any dog health issues to management
• Provides general dog care to include, but not limited to, the following: feeding, watering, and brushing dogs, as well as, scooping poop
• Performs chores before, during, and after tours to include, but not limited to, the following: cleaning bathrooms, emptying trash cans, filling potholes, stocking the refreshment area, chopping wood, and washing carts & vans
• Safely provides our guests with a one-mile sled ride while presenting them with quality, accurate information about self, dog team, and dog mushing
• Assists guests into getting into and out of all vehicles
• Presents guests with quality, accurate information while giving 20-30 minute presentations to guests during the kennel talk portion of the tour
• Responsible for preparing sled for guests, taking pictures of guests on the sled, and later introducing guests to the team
• Safely hooks up the dogs while taking care to pair dogs that won’t fight or breed
• At the end of the day, responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: unhooking dogs, returning dogs to their houses, hanging up all the harnesses and gang-lines, and rinsing off the equipment
• Inspects dog houses & tethers and replaces any damaged equipment
• Adhering to all company policies
• Striving to accomplish goals discussed with management during the monthly evaluations

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to safely run a team of 16 dogs
• Possess a working knowledge of sled dog information
• Excellent communication skills that demonstrate a professional demeanor and the ability to interact with others with discretion and tact
• Skilled in guest attentiveness as demonstrated by responsiveness to the needs and wants of our guests
• Skilled in maintaining a positive attitude at all times even when handling difficult and/or stressful situations
• Ability to memorize, recall, and present information and facts
• Ability to make oral presentations that engage an audience
• Ability to initiate interaction with guests
• Ability to work well within diverse groups to achieve common goals
• Ability to be detail-oriented and use good judgment when it comes to safety
• Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to assume and complete tasks without direction and with little supervision
• Ability to physically handle strong dogs & break up dog fights when and as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid driver’s license or the ability to attain one
• Prior winter experience working in a mushing kennel
• Ability to work irregular work schedules

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• All work is performed outside, so will be subject to possible adverse weather conditions and variations in temperature.
• Will be subject to noise, to include but not limited to, constant dog barking
• Will be subject to dust, odors, and contact with water and/or other liquids
• Will be subject to hazardous conditions (working with different machinery, handling dogs, etc)

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB:

• Must be able to lift and carry a 40lb bag for a distance of 200 feet
• Position involves frequent (usually at least 2.5 hours a day but no more than 5.5 hours a day) standing, walking, handling objects, grasping items, & manipulating machinery and small items
• Position involves occasional (usually no more than 2.5 hours a day) sitting, carrying, balancing, bending, stooping, and kneeling

Note: The statements in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees. They are not to be understood as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required in this position. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment, and they are subject to change, with or without notice, at the discretion of the employer.

Schedule:

• Day shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Skagway, AK 99840: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
• Juneau, AK 99801:Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

Are you willing and able to work in Skagway, Alaska or Juneau, Alaska March-October?

Experience:

• Dog Mushing: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: Twolocations: Skagway and Juneau

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