NOW HIRING FOR THE 2024-2025 SEASON

Now Hiring for winter 2021/2022

Squid Acres is now hiring for Summer of 2024 and winter of 2024-2025. Looking for experienced handlers and guides.

ABOUT US
We operate a kennel of 40 racing/expedition huskies and are planning 2024 Yukon Quest and Iditarod teams as well as other mid-distance races, winter tours and several spring expeditions. We will be living at a remote lodge on Denali Highway most of the time with a base in Cantwell during the racing and tour season. Applicants must be comfortable living in a remote setting with little outside contact.

OPENING FOR SUMMER OF 2023

Summer Lodge and Tour Support Position:

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a Jack or Jill of all trades to join our team for the summer of 2024. This diverse position is split between the Susitna Adventure Lodge on the Denali Highway and Squid Acres Kennel Sled Dog Tours in Cantwell. 
 
Duties include:
Assisting with sled dog care and kennel maintenance.  Daily animal care duties include: feeding, cleaning of kennel facility, maintenance of kennel facility, grooming, and facilitating daily exercise of the dogs. Our summer exercise program includes: teams runs on ATV, free run hikes, large free run pens, mechanical dog/horse walker and swimming in the lake. 
 
Assisting with and guiding summer sled dog tours. We offer 3 tours a day in Cantwell and offer tours for guests at the lodge. This position will help with dog tours at either location depending on demand. 
 
Assisting with and guiding day excursions from Susitna Adventure Lodge which may include: natural history, hiking, fishing, canoeing and ATV tours.
 
Assisting with housekeeping of lodging at both locations.. We have 2 Airbnb cabins at the Cantwell location and multiple buildings at the Lodge. Assistance with cleaning of lodging as needed. 
 
Assisting with groundskeeping such as mowing, weed whacking and garden care.
 
Assisting with property maintenance and building projects. 
 
Assist with office work DOE
 
Skills and experience desired:
 
Looking for someone with dog mushing experience. Preferably have worked for a sled dog operation previously. 
 
Outdoor guiding experience desired. 
 
Skills and knowledge of vehicle maintenance, small engine repair and off grid energy and communication equipment are highly desired. At the very least one needs a demonstrated ability to reason and problem solve.
 
Certifications desired:
Must have valid drivers license.
 
Wilderness First Responder or EMT certification preferred. We will be offering a WFR course in May if you do not have it.
 
Benefits:
Pay – DOE
Housing and internet included.
 
Time period: This position must start in early to mid May and will be needed until September 10th of 2024. There may be an option to continue winter work if it is the correct fit. 
 
To Apply: Send a letter of interest outlining your relevant experiences, three references and your resume to info@susitnaadventurelodge.com by February 16th.

 

WINTER HANDLER/TOUR GUIDE POSITION: 

What we are looking for: Must be able to start by September and the position will continue through April, 15th 2024. Must be hard working and able to work independently or with a team at all hours of the day in northern Alaskan conditions with a smile.

This person will be responsible for the daily chores of a competitive kennel training in a remote areas of Alaska. This is not a 9-5 position. This will include, but not be limited to: scooping poo, cutting and splitting firewood, stoking woodstoves around camp, cooking salmon, cutting meat, walking puppies, training dogs with ATV and sled, cutting trails with chainsaw, grooming trails with snowmachine,  general kennel/property maintenance and more depending on experience and interest. Mushing experience is preferred. May consider those that have not mushed if they have the right combination of wilderness/adventure experience and animal care experience.  Experience with extreme cold weather a must.

Skills and knowledge of vehicle maintenance, small engine repair and off grid energy and communication equipment are highly desired. At the very least one needs a demonstrated ability to reason and problem solve.

What we offer: This position includes housing and food stipend and many amazing opportunities including, living in one of the most scenic locations, mushing experiences, handling for some of the largest mushing races in Alaska, being part of a competitive race kennel, wilderness trips, and skill building opportunities. There may be opportunities for expansion into racing in the following season depending on how things go.

Housing: At our remote lodge / training camp you will live in a room in a cabin, heated by woodstove, there is no cell service, but satellite internet available on limited basis. During your time in Cantwell, you will live in a cabin  heated by woodstove with power and internet and a shower on site.

We also operate dogsled tours and expeditions throughout the season. There may be opportunities to help guide these trips. Those with guiding experience and those with wilderness medicine credentials are desired.

Please CONTACT US if you are interested in this position. E-mail us your resume, three references, and letter or video explaining why you are interested and what you hope to gain from this experience.

 

WINTER REMOTE PROPERTY CARETAKER POSITION:

What we are looking for: Someone or a couple who can independently watch over and maintain our remote property on Denali Highway and provide logistical support  from December – March during racing season. The position will be to keep the “home fires burning” at our remote base. Duties are to keep snow removed, keep local trails open with snowmachine and chainsaw. Person will assist with supply runs from town to our remote camp. This person will not necessarily be responsible for training sled dogs, but will involve dog care. Experience living remotely and using off grid energy systems important. Must have a general working knowledge of small engines such as snowmachines, generators and chainsaws. 

This position could be all winter or can be for a couple weeks depending on your availability. Contact us to talk more about the options.

 

WINTER TOUR GUIDE POSITION: 

What we are looking for: Starting December – April. Looking for experienced winter mushing guides to do daily dogsled tours from our Cantwell Location. Position would be responsible for small group tours including dogsled rides, mushing tours and overnight trips with groups up to 6 people. There may be some chances to help with longer expeditions and assist with race team training. Pay, DOE and may provide housing if needed. Clean drivers license required and wilderness medical training a plus.  Send resume and 3 references to CONTACT US.

 

SUMMER TOUR GUIDE POSITION: SUMMER OF 2024 – Position filled.

What we are looking for: Starting immediately and continue through mid-September, this could go longer into winter if candidate is the right fit. Looking for someone to help run daily small group tour operation at our Cantwell location.  We offer a two hour tour, three times a day for up to 6 visitors at a time. Guide instructs public on dog mushing and then does a hands on cart ride experience with the guests. This position will be responsible for the care of sled dogs and general property maintenance. Dog/animal care experience a must,  experience from previous sled dog kennel required. Guiding experience a plus. Pay: DOE, Housing may be provided. Clean drivers license required and medical training a plus.  Send resume and 3 references to CONTACT US.