2025 Alexander Archipelago Wolf Detection Dog Field Crew

Site: Based out of Craig, Alaska and/or Port Protection, Alaska

Type: seasonal

Pay: $2,000 lump sum + housing + food, some travel covered

Tentative Schedule:

  • Crew A: April 20 - June 3
  • Crew B: May 30 - July 13
  • Crew C: July 9 - August 16

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter to frattk@oregonstate.edu with subject line “POW Wolf Crew.” Please indicate which schedule (A, B, or C) you would prefer and if you are available for other schedules as well.

Applications close January 20.

About: The Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis lupus ligoni) is a coastal wolf that inhabits southern Alaska and parts of British Columbia. For Kayla’s PhD at Oregon State University she is studying the diet and movement of these wolves.

Position Description and Essential Functions

This position is ideal for an aspiring conservation dog handler aiming to increase their expertise in working alongside conservation detection dogs in varied environments. Strong preference for applicants who have completed prior conservation detection dog education with a demonstrated interest in progressing in the field.

You will be responsible for preparatory field logistics such as:

  • Assisting with detection dog training and searcher efficiency trials
  • Field navigation
  • Data collection, using both GPS and electronic media
  • Camera trap setting and maintenance
  • Scat sample collection, management, and organization, including preparing samples for genetic analysis
  • Assist with some dog daily care, handling, and troubleshooting on searches
  • Other duties as assigned

You will live in a two-bedroom house in Craig, Alaska alongside Kayla and the canines (Schedule A&B Barley and Niffler, Schedule C Niffler only).

This is a field-based job in a harsh environment. A successful applicant will be prepared for:

  • Daily commute on a small boat in rough seas with an experienced and responsible captain.
  • Most days we are on the boat by 7:30am. The boat is enclosed and comfortable but small. Some days it can be quite choppy or rough, and we can be riding for up to three hours at a time. Bring what you need to stay comfortable and entertained — binoculars, books, Dramamine, etc.
  • Cold and wet weather daily. We go out in the rain and cold almost every single day. Full rain gear and knee-high waterproof boots are a daily must.
  • A good attitude in the face of thorns, rain, mud, slippery rocks, field mishaps, and a whole lot of wolf feces.
  • Once at the field site, we clamber off the boat into rocks and kelp below the high tide line. This can be slippery and a bit athletic and is partially why knee-high boots are a must. We generally search for 3-5 hours per day total in one or more searches.
  • Occasional overnight primitive camping
  • Hiking up to 10 miles a day with a heavy pack. This will be in varied terrain, both on- and off-trail in dense vegetation.
  • We may search roads (long and quite easy), muskegs (wet and uneven but gorgeous), old growth forest and trails (tougher but gorgeous), beaches and intertidal zones (slick but flat), or combinations of these. We do our best to avoid slash (downed trees from logging), but devil’s club and downed trees and uneven footing are guaranteed at points.
  • Staying overnight on a float house without electricity, refrigeration, or other amenities up to 3 nights per week before returning to the heated/fully furnished/comfortable AirBnb in Craig.

LOGISTICS:

We have housing arranged in Craig, which will be fully covered for you. While in the field, we do a combination of day trips, overnights at a float house or camping. All camping gear is provided.

We will help arrange travel for you and travel may be entirely from the Pacific Northwest. This will be negotiated during the hiring process.

Food and groceries are provided as part of your compensation. Given the cost of groceries and rentals in Craig, this is a large part of your compensation. Groceries are often 2-4x the cost of mainland USA. Restaurants are extremely limited.

This is bear country. We carry bear spray at all times and keep a clean camp, but have not had any issues. There are no brown bears or moose here and the black bears are quite shy.

AT&T is the only cell carrier that works on Prince of Wales. We have Internet at our housing and bring a generator and Starlink to satellite camps. We carry satellite messengers if you do not have one.

GEAR:

It is extremely wet! Plan on knee-high waterproof boots (muck boots, xtratuffs, or similar) and full rain gear (rain pants AND jacket). Bring layers of clothes that do well in cool, wet conditions. We will provide the successful applicant with a full gear list and support in acquiring the right gear.

In July and August, it may get into the 70s and be sunny during the day - this can feel hot during fieldwork. However, even in July and August we frequently have days of rain, fog, and temperatures hovering in the 50s. You may also want to bring:

  • An eye mask (in June especially, as it hardly gets dark)
  • A satellite messager (Garmin InReach, SPOT X, or similar)
  • A portable battery pack
  • Binoculars/camera
  • Dramamine for the boat (some in our first aid kit)
  • Camping gear and safety gear are provided