Site Caretaker

Site Caretaker - North Slope

About Fairweather

Fairweather is a trusted service provider in Alaska, delivering specialized solutions in remote and Arctic environments. Our mission is to support operations with safety, integrity, and excellence. We offer a dynamic and inclusive work environment, ensuring our employees are equipped with the tools and support needed for success.

Why You Should Work for Us

• Supportive and collaborative work culture
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• Commitment to employee safety and well-being
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) up to 4% company match.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free counseling and support services

POSITION PURPOSE

The caretakers primary responsibilities would be to maintain and monitor the pre-stage areas, where they would be the only permanent presence in West Harrison Bay during this period. The role combines routine site monitoring and equipment checks with practical field tasks including minor repairs, fuel transfers, snow management, and early-season pre-packing. Two caretakers would be present onsite, and would work alongside each other and support visiting specialist personnel as required. Resupply is anticipated approximately once per week by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. This role suits candidates who are genuinely comfortable with extended remote deployment, self-sufficient in the field, and experienced with the physical demands and practical realities of working in arctic Alaska.

This position involves supporting a client’s exploration project in West Harrison Bay, located about 90 miles WNW of Deadhorse, AK. The project plans to drill three exploration wells from artificial ice islands in shallow nearshore waters during Winter 2026/2027. Preparations, including staging camps, drilling, and construction, will occur in summer 2026, with equipment pre-staged on shallow draft deck barges moored in the Kogru River and at the old DEW line site there. Equipment will mainly be loaded from West Dock in Prudhoe Bay via tug and barge. Site preparation and sea lift are scheduled from early July to late September 2026. Winter operations begin in late November with crews mobilized for ice construction. Between these phases, caretakers will monitor the site and equipment during the shoulder season.

LOCATION: Remote - North Slope, Alaska

SCHEDULE: 2 Weeks On/Off  or 3 Weeks On/Off Rotational 

                      September - December 2026

This position is part of the Contingent Workforce Program 

SITE MONITORING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor both pre-stage areas (Kogru River barge mooring area and the airstrip / DEW line site) to check on equipment condition, camps, fuel caches, and barges at intervals specified by client
• Check thermistors along pre-packing routes using tundra-approved vehicles; maintain as necessary
• Check construction, rig, and auxiliary equipment to confirm it remains in good order; monitor for signs of settling, movement, or wildlife interactions
• Monitor tank farms to ensure any unexpected fuel releases are identified, reported, and responded to promptly
• Monitor all areas for signs of wildlife and respond in accordance with client's IHA (Incidental Harassment Authorization); document all wildlife observations
• Maintain presence across all relevant project areas as directed, including pre-staging locations (moored barges and airstrip), onshore ice road corridors, banks between tundra and beach, and nominated freshwater lakes
• Execute fuel transfers to site equipment per established procedures as required
• Troubleshoot and carry out minor repairs on equipment with deficiencies, with remote specialist advice as needed
• Clear snow from around critical equipment and set snow fences as conditions require
• Provide regular update reports to client management on equipment status, site conditions, and any emerging issues
• Support visiting specialist personnel on-site, including transportation assistance and general field support as required and safe to do so
• Work alongside other caretakers and contractor personnel in a professional manner to accomplish program objectives
• Represent client and Fairweather in a professional and courteous manner in all interactions, including with members of the local North Slope community
• Perform own cooking and housekeeping duties; maintain camp in an orderly and presentable condition
• Follow procedures for storage of food and trash to deter wildlife

PRE-SEASON PREPARATION TASKS

With remote specialist support, caretakers will assist in completing early-season preparation tasks as conditions allow, which may include:

• Stringing together runway lights
• Basic camp maintenance and fire-up tasks
• Clearing snow from critical equipment
• Commencing execution of the warm-up plan, including strategic placement of heater trunks
• Basic clearing of a snow runway to support early-season crew mobilization
• Conducting basic pre-packing of ice trails using tundra-approved vehicles

QUALIFICATIONS

• Three (3) or more years of experience in a similar position in a remote setting
• Valid North Slope NSTC unescorted certification is required
• At times this may be a physically demanding job, candidate must be comfortable regularly lifting up to 50 pounds, and occasionally up to 100 pounds unassisted.
• Experience with thermistors and temperature monitoring in permafrost or arctic environments
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Demonstrated experience working and living in remote arctic environments for extended periods; must be comfortable with a minimum of 2–3 weeks at a time.
• Proficiency operating snow machines, PistenBully, Tucker Sno-Cat, inflatable skiff, or similar small machinery
• Competence in minor mechanical and basic electrical repairs
• Self-sufficient, practical, and calm under pressure — able to manage day-to-day field challenges independently
• Experience with wildlife monitoring or IHA compliance protocols is preferred

WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED

• Accommodation including basic kitchenette, office space, PACTO or flushable toilet, shower, and Starlink internet connectivity
• Expected once-weekly helicopter or fixed-wing resupply of food and sundries
• Vehicles approved for summer tundra use (snow machine, snow cat, PistenBully)
• Basic tools and consumables for minor repairs and maintenance task

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a remote fly-in field role with no road access. Caretakers will be deployed to the West Harrison Bay pre-stage areas for rotations of minimum 2–3 weeks at a time. The role spans the shoulder season and early winter, with conditions ranging from late-season tundra to early freeze-up and initial ice formation. Candidates must be physically capable of working in arctic field conditions and comfortable with the isolation and self-sufficiency requirements of an unsupported remote deployment.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: It is Fairweather's business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

PREFERENCE STATEMENT: Fairweather grants preference to qualified Doyon Shareholders first, and second to qualified shareholders of other Alaska Native corporations that grant a similar preference in all phases of employment and training, which include, but are not limited to hiring, promotion, layoff, transfer, and training.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

A review of this position has excluded marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.