Join our team for an unforgettable Arctic winter! Tromsø Lapland is looking for reliable, motivated and physically fit animal handlers to help deliver authentic reindeer experiences while ensuring outstanding animal welfare, guest safety and memorable experiences in the heart of Northern Norway.

Hva vi ser etter

Reindeer Sledding Guide / Animal Handler

This is not a regular guide or hospitality position.

While delivering excellent guest experiences is an important part of the role, your primary responsibility is the care, handling and welfare of our sledding reindeer. We are looking for people who genuinely want to work with animals and understand the responsibility that comes with it.

This is NOT an entry level position, and if you are interested in working with animals, but have no experience, please refer to our job listing for Camp hosts.

Camp hosts at Tromsø Lapland work directly with animals every day. We aim to recruit internally when possible, so if you think this is a good fit for you, that is one way to go about it.

WE WILL NOT PROCESS APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION FOR PEOPLE WITH NO RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE.

Everyone hired for this position will initially be employed as an Animal Handler.

During this period, you will receive extensive practical training and gradually learn the routines, safety procedures and responsibilities involved in working with our herd. This includes handling large reindeer, exercising them, harnessing and unharnessing, daily care, animal welfare, veterinary follow-up, and learning how to safely work around both the animals and our guests.

Becoming a Reindeer Sledding Guide is something that has to be earned, and it is not guaranteed from day one.

Once you have successfully completed the required training and demonstrated the necessary skills, judgement and responsibility, you may be authorised to operate sledding tours as a Reindeer Sledding Guide.

How long this process takes depends entirely on the individual. Some people develop the required confidence and competence quickly, while others may need considerably more time. Because of the responsibility involved, not everyone will be suited to guiding sledding tours, and that is perfectly acceptable. Our first priority will always be the safety and welfare of both our animals and our guests.

To succeed in this role, you should be genuinely passionate about working with animals, eager to learn, and motivated to build a close understanding of our reindeer as individuals. The best candidates are those who also enjoy storytelling and communicating with people, as becoming a great sledding guide requires both excellent animal handling skills and the ability to create memorable experiences for our guests.

We are looking for someone who:

Communicates confidently in English (additional languages are an advantage)

Is physically fit and enjoys working outdoors in all weather conditions

Has a calm, responsible and confident attitude around animals

Cares deeply about animal welfare and guest safety

Is reliable, flexible and able to work both independently and as part of a team

Enjoys working with people from different cultures

Is solution-oriented and willing to help wherever needed

Understands that this is a physically demanding role with real responsibility

Is passionate about this type of work, and wants to make a career out of this.

Previous experience with reindeer is highly valued, but not required.

Experience working with horses, sled dogs, livestock or other large animals is considered a strong advantage.

A valid car driver's licence is desirable. Experience with winter driving, tractors and snowmobiles will also be considered an advantage.

For the right candidate, this position can lead to further opportunities within the company. We are especially looking for people that might want to do this for more than one season.

Our season lasts from November to mid-April

Important information before applying

Please read the following carefully before applying:

Due to a high number of applications, we cannot guarantee that every applicant will receive a reply.

We do not sponsor or cover flights, visas, travel costs or accommodation.

You must already have the necessary paperwork and legal right to work in Norway. We do not sponsor work visas for this position.

This is a genuine outdoor working position. Winter temperatures can drop below -30°C, and applicants must be prepared to work outdoors in demanding Arctic weather conditions.

Tromsø Lapland offers staff accommodation close to camp at a reasonable cost. Accommodation is only available to full-time employees and is subject to availability.

Employees may bring their own car. However, pets are not allowed at the camp or in staff accommodation, except by special agreement in advance.

Applications that do not include all required documents and such listed above will not be evaluated.

Arbeidsoppgaver

What you should know about this role

This is not a regular guide or hospitality position. While delivering excellent guest experiences is an important part of the job, your primary responsibility is the care, handling and welfare of our reindeer. We are looking for people who understand that the animals always come first. To be considered fit for doing our sledding tours, you must be confident in your abilities regarding performing in a guiding role, teaching guests how to act, and maintaining the safety during the tours.

This position involves intensive practical training and a high level of responsibility from the very beginning. Therefore, we expect anyone applying to this position to have some experience in similar positions before. Relevant experience is working with bigger farm animals, in a controlled setting, zoo work experience, or dog-sledding or other similar experience.

You will spend most of your working day outdoors, working closely with our sledding reindeer in all weather conditions. The role is physically demanding and includes daily walking and exercising of the reindeer. Depending on the needs of the animals, you may walk up to 10 kilometres per day while leading them.

Our reindeer are working animals, and each has its own personality, behaviour and temperament. They can weigh well over 100 kg, and although they are generally calm, they are large, powerful animals with antlers. You must always be aware of your surroundings, understand how to read the animals' behaviour, and handle them with confidence, patience and respect. Safe handling protects both you and the reindeer.

A large part of your daily routine will involve harnessing and unharnessing the reindeer before and after guest departures, monitoring their condition, feeding and caring for them, and ensuring they are healthy, comfortable and ready for work. We expect our staff to get to know each individual animal and quickly notice any changes in behaviour, appetite or health.

You will also follow veterinary treatment plans and health protocols prescribed by authorised veterinarians, maintain high standards of animal care, and contribute to the overall health and welfare of the herd throughout the season.

We are looking for people who genuinely enjoy working with animals, take pride in responsible animal husbandry, and are committed to creating safe, memorable experiences for our guests.

Some of the daily tasks you will face in this job:

Prepare, harness and unharness reindeer for daily sledding activities

Safely operate reindeer sledding experiences for guests

Ensure excellent animal welfare through feeding, monitoring and daily care

Assist guests before, during and after activities

Maintain sleds, harnesses, fences and other equipment

Clean and maintain reindeer pens and working areas

Monitor the health and condition of the reindeer and report any concerns

Assist with moving and handling the herd when required

Work closely with guides, Camp Hosts and the rest of the operations team

Carry out other practical tasks around the camp as needed

Vi tilbyr

A unique opportunity to live and work in Arctic Norway for the winter season

Competitive pay and employment conditions

Thorough training in reindeer handling, sledding operations and safety procedures

High-quality work clothing and equipment provided

Work in an international team with colleagues and guests from around the world

Staff accommodation available close to camp (subject to availability)

Free transportation to and from Tromsø on company buses when capacity permits

A varied and active outdoor job with close contact with reindeer

A friendly, supportive and professional work environment

Plenty of time off to explore Arctic Norway during your free time

Om arbeidsgiveren:

Tromsø Lapland is a camp with reindeer at Breivikeidet, 45 minutes outside of Tromsø. Here we offer tours for Reindeer Sledding and Reindeer Feeding, and we have the option for staying the nights in our Lavvu tents. We also teach our guests about life in the Arctic and the life of the indigenous people of Scandinavia; the Sami.