Northern Tier hires around 40 staff every winter!
Northern Tier serves as the national cold weather camping headquarters for the Boy
Scouts of America. Our Okpik program runs from December 15 to March 9. Take a look at the staff positions and
determine where you would excel.
Take a look at Northern Tier’s various staff positions and determine where you would excel.
Applications are accepted year-round so get yours in today!
Mail Staff Applications to:
Seasonal Personnel
Northern Tier High Adventure
PO Box 509
Ely, MN 55731
E-mail Staff Applications to:
Jobs@NTier.org
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
Trail staff have the responsibility of providing the Okpik program to the crews that come from all over the
country. From teaching cold-weather camping skills, skiing, snowshoeing and more, to ensuring everyone leaves
Okpik with great memories.
Interpreter
Formerly referred to as a guide, this person works primarily with the crews going out on Okpik adventures, up
to six days. They provide crews with orientation and outdoor skills training and are a resource to the crew for
safety purposes, environmental awareness, and historical background of the area. Other duties are assigned as
needs dictate, and may include working in any of the other areas of the operation. Must be 18 years of age, have
the ability to camp in weather at -45 degrees Fahrenheit and current certification in Wilderness First Aid and
CPR.
Mushing Interpreter
Mushing Interpreters are Interpreters that work specifically with the dog sled programs. They provide crews
with orientation and outdoor skills training and are a resource to the crew for safety purposes, environmental
awareness, and historical background of the area. Other duties are assigned as needs dictate, and may include
working in any of the other areas of the operation. Must be 18 years of age, have the ability to camp in weather
at -45 degrees Fahrenheit, be able to successfully complete dog training with the contractor and current
certification in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
Outfitting Assistant
This person assists the Outfitting Manager to oversee the Bay Post and Commissary (issuing trail gear and
trail food) this position reports to the Asst. Director – Outfitting, must be 18 years of age and have great
organizational skills, attention to detail, hold a current driver’s license with a clean driving record, be able
to successfully complete MN and USFS snowmobile training and hold current certification in CPR and Wilderness
First Aid.
Maintenance Assistant
This person assists the Northern Tier Ranger in maintaining facilities, trails, and vehicles during the
winter. The Maintenance Assistant reports to the Ranger. Must be 21 years of age, hold a current driver’s license
with a clean driving record, be able to successfully complete MN and USFS snowmobile training and hold current
certification in CPR and Wilderness First Aid.
Trading Post (Retail Store)
Trading Post Manager
Responsible for displays, inventories, sales, simple bookkeeping, cleanliness of the Trading Post and
supervising other Trading Post staff. Must be at least 21 years of age, hold a current driver’s license with a
clean driving record and have sales and computer experience.
Trading Post Assistant Manager
Assist the Trading Post manager with his/her duties concerning displays, inventories, sales, bookkeeping,
cleanliness and supervising other Trading Post staff.
Trading Post Clerk
Assist with displays, inventories, sales and cleanup of the Trading Post.
Food Service
Head Cook
Responsible for breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal preparation; keeping kitchen areas clean; and supervising
other kitchen help. To hold this position, you must be at least 18 years of age and hold a current driver’s
license with a clean driving record.
Food Service Staff
Assist with meal preparation, kitchen/dining area cleanup, dishwashing and distribution of trail food. Must be at
least 18 years of age.
The program management team is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Okpik program and
ensuring its successful implementation.
Okpik Director
The Okpik Director is a seasonal manager that is directly responsible for the implementation of the Okpik
Program. Working with the management team, the Director coordinates trail staff schedules, the management on-call
schedule and oversees staff training. The Okpik Director reports directly to the Associate Director of Program
for Okpik Operations. To hold this position, one must be at least 21 years of age, have strong leadership
abilities, hold a current driver’s license with a clean driving record, be able to successfully complete MN and
USFS snowmobile training and hold current certification in CPR and as a Wilderness First Responder.
Head Musher
This person supervises the Mushing Interpreters and oversees all aspects of the dog sledding programs,
including scheduling the Mushing Interpreters, working with the dog contractor and training staff in the dog
programs. Additionally this person assists in coordinating staff training. The Asst. Director – Head Musher
reports directly to the Okpik Director. To hold this position, one must be at least 21 years of age, have strong
leadership abilities, hold a current driver’s license with a clean driving record, be able to successfully
complete MN and USFS snowmobile training, be able to successfully complete dog training with the contractor and
hold current certification in CPR and as a Wilderness First Responder.
Head Outfitter
This person coordinates all aspects of the Okpik Outfitting operation, including the Bay Post and Commissary
(issuing of trail gear and food). Additionally this person assists in coordinating staff training. The Asst.
Director – Outfitting, reports directly to the Okpik Director. To hold this position, one must be at least 21
years of age, have strong leadership abilities, hold a current driver’s license with a clean driving record, be
able to successfully complete MN and USFS snowmobile training and hold current certification in CPR and as a
Wilderness First Responder.
Health Officer
If you have training as a physician, nurse (RN or LPN), physician assistant, medical student, paramedic, or
EMT, we would be interested in having you as our health officer. This position is responsible for caring for
staff and participants with medical needs, maintaining first-aid supplies, coordinating the medic-on-call
schedule and overseeing the medical screening of participants and staff. Must be at least 21 years of age, hold a
current driver’s license with a clean driving record and have or be able to obtain Wilderness First Responder
Certification.