Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Racing & Adventures - Touring

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Friday, May 24th, 2013

Nature's Kennel

PO Box 5
McMillan, MI 49853
Tel: 1-906-748-0513
Email: info@natureskennel.com

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

We are currently hiring for the following positions:
Please download and complete our application for any of our open positions. Application, resume and references can be emailed to info@natureskennel.com or mailed to PO Box 5, McMillan, MI 49853.

Nanny/Childcare
This is probably the most unique yet most important position at Nature’s Kennel. The applicant must have experience with small children, have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record, be able to work independently and follow directions, be a “dog person”, be clean and organized, and be comfortable working both indoors and outdoors. You do need to have a reliable vehicle.
Duties may include but are not limited to:
Care of an infant and active toddler
Scheduling activities and transporting children to and from activities
Daily household chores
Cleaning puppy pens and walking puppies
Preparation of food for sled dog tours

This position requires extreme flexibility.  You will receive one day off per week, and will be provided room and board and a monthly stipend.   You will be living and working around a sled dog touring business, with a kennel manager, other guides, and guests.   You will have use and access to a house in town for childcare and days off. Life at the kennel is remote (off-grid power and limited cell/internet) and living space is shared.
Position is open immediately. Please send a resume and three references to info@natureskennel.com or contact Tasha at 906-748-0513 for more information.
2013-2014 Winter Guides
Nature’s Kennel is a top wilderness dog sledding adventure company which operates alongside our 7-time Iditarod racing kennel. It is owned and operated by Ed and Tasha Stielstra and is home to 150+ Alaska Husky sled dogs. Nature’s Kennel provides premier dog sled rides and “drive your own” team adventures ranging from 1/2 day to multi-day trips. The success of our tours is directly related to the high quality and dedication of our amazing winter guides. NK guides are safe, fun, energetic, resourceful, and have a willingness to love a lot of dogs. In no other job can you wake up every morning to 150 wagging tails and smiling faces! Join us for an incredible season of snow, dogs, puppies and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a winter wonderland like none other.

Winter Guide Responsibilities:
• Leading half-day, full day, and overnight adventure tours with 1-12 guests.
• Giving rides at an upscale ski resort.
• Planning and preparing for dog sledding tours.
• Posting tour trip reports, doing post-tour cleanup and repairing equipment.
• Providing guests with orientation/instruction covering dogs, trails, sled driving, and safety.
• Responsible for the safety of all clients and dogs on tours.
• Maintaining and repairing gear, winter camp, kennel, buildings, etc. as needed throughout the fall, winter and spring.
• Safely operating a tractor, snowmobile, and groomer for snow removal and trail grooming.
• Daily care, cleanup, and monitoring of dogs as expected by Nature’s Kennel standards.
• Participating in pre-season setup and trail clearing and post-season cleanup.
• Participating in puppy training and socialization.
• Commitment to getting to know the dogs before tour season. Being comfortable and having a strong bond with your team makes working with them easier throughout the season and is expected before guiding tours.
• Creating a fun experience for all guests at all times.
• Training/running dogs with the four wheeler/ATV (fall/spring) and sleds (winter).
• Working in all weather conditions, 8-16 hours a day outside, 6 days a week.

Winter Guide Qualifications
• Love and respect for both dogs and the winter wilderness environment.
• 23 or older is preferred, however younger applicants will be considered.
• CPR and Wilderness First Aid or higher required, Wilderness First Responder or higher preferred (must be current though April 1, 2014).
• Self motivating, can-do, positive attitude, resourceful and energetic.
• Able to work well in a team and solid interpersonal skills are a must.
• Ability to lead and entertain a group of guests.
• Ability to adapt to changing conditions due to weather, guests, dogs and trails.
• Experience leading wilderness trips a plus but not required.
• Can lift and carry 40-70lbs, pull 40-150lbs (with cart or sled) without assistance
• Ability to operate tractor, snowmobile, chainsaw and other power tools a plus, but not required. On-site training will be done after hire.

We are looking for committed staff that wants to join a rewarding experience leading sled dog tours for our winter season. For more information please visit our website to learn more about our tours and kennel.

Contract Dates:
September 1, 2013 through April 15, 2014 OR September 15, 2013 through May 1, 2014 with ability to extend into spring/summer work if desired.

Compensation:
Room and Board included with a $200/month stipend + paid per tour basis which is approximately $600-1500/month December through March. Chance to participate in local dog sled race as part of one of our tour packages. Some pro deals are available. An opportunity to embark on an extremely incredible experience that you will be telling your grandkids about.

Housing:
Housing is rustic yet comfortable heated by a woodstove. Housing is bunk style with 2-4 people per building and shared common area. Meals tend to be family style or on your own in main building with power and running water.

Job Closing Date: Aug 1, 2013 or until filled
We will be hiring 4 new winter guides for the coming season. The 2012-2013 season was our busiest to date, and we expect to continue to grow this coming year. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as needed. We tend to fill the positions mid June through mid July.

If you are interested in this position please go to our website at www.natureskennel.com and fill out our application. After completing application mail or email it to info@natureskennel.com

Phone: 906-748-0513
Email: info@natureskennel.com
Web: www.natureskennel.com
Facebook: natureskennel

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