Nez Perce Tribe
Department of Fisheries and Resources Management
Aquatic Invasive & Nuisance Species Program
Position Announcement
The AINS Program is excited to announce a new and exciting opportunity for a developmental career-track position as a Conservation Canine Handler
for the Nimiipúu Conservation Canine Project.
PROTECTING NIMIPUU COUNTRY!
About the Project:
The Nimiipúu Conservation Canine Project protects waterways and surrounding communities throughout the Nimiipúu territory by using professionally trained conservation detection dogs. In partnership with Working Dogs for Conservation (WD4C), this project focuses exclusively on the prevention and early detection of invasive zebra, quagga, and golden mussels through watercraft inspections and shoreline surveys.
This position represents the foundational hire for a long-term canine program. The selected handler will undergo professional training and certification and will play a central role in safeguarding aquatic resources important to the Nez Perce Tribe.
Position Description:
The Conservation Canine Handler is a professional, career-track position in conservation and natural resources. The handler is responsible for the daily care, training maintenance, and operational deployment of a conservation detection dog trained specifically to detect invasive freshwater mussels.
The position includes an apprenticeship-style training period in partnership with WD4C, during which the handler will learn scent theory, search strategy, dog handling, certification standards, and operational deployment procedures. Upon certification, the handler will independently conduct watercraft inspections and shoreline searches while maintaining regular communication with trainers.
The handler will care for the working dog in their home (unless otherwise specified) and is responsible for maintaining the dog’s health, conditioning, behavior, and readiness for work.
Candidate Dogs:
The program is also searching for candidate dogs and encourages dog owners to consider this opportunity. Ideal canines are high-energy dog breeds with a strong, even obsessive, “toy drive” and persistent search tendencies. The best suited candidates are medium sized dogs (30 to 65 pounds), between 1 and 3 years old. Desired behaviors include neutral, or friendly, to new people and other dogs, ability to crate and travel in vehicles, good nerve strength (mild reactivity), handling tolerance, and a non-obsessive interest in wildlife. Disqualifying behaviors include dogs with a bite history, aggressive reactivity, separation anxiety, or certain health problems.
If you own a potential candidate dog, please include related information in your cover letter (breed, weight, age, description of dog's personality, and possible red-flags).
Additional Information:
Title: Conservation Canine Handler
Hiring Level: Technician II to Biologist II; depends on qualifications
Refer to Nez Perce Tribe Job Postings
for formal announcement and application instructions
Please submit:
• Cover letter describing:
- Your interest in working with a conservation detection dog
- Your experience working independently and outdoors
- Your ability to commit to the long-term success of this project
- If you own a potential candidate dog, please include related details (breed, weight, age, description of dog's personality, possible red-flags).
• Nez Perce Tribe Job Application; and,
• Resume or CV
Following receipt of the above application materials, we will schedule a time to meet and interact with an unfamiliar dog and asking it to perform several different behaviors. This evaluation will be conducted by the contracted trainer and assessed for suitability of interested candidates. Candidates will then be interviewed from which formal hiring will occur.
For more information, please direct all questions to Clark Watry (Aquatic Invasive & Nuisance Species Program Lead): clarkw@nezperce.org; (208) 621-3549.