Timberline Treks is a Southern Maine-based dog adventure company offering off-leash pack hikes, trail runs, swim days, structured exercise programs, training support, and in-home boarding.

We're not a traditional dog walking company, and we're not looking for traditional dog walkers.

Our team spends their days hiking mountains, exploring trail systems, swimming with dogs, navigating changing weather conditions, building relationships with clients, and helping dogs live fuller, healthier lives through structured adventure and leadership.

If the idea of spending your workday behind a desk sounds miserable, you might be in the right place.

Our Philosophy

At Timberline Treks, we believe dogs deserve more than a quick walk around the block.

We also believe the people caring for those dogs deserve meaningful work, professional development, and compensation that allows them to build a life here in Maine.

Our goal isn't to create dead-end jobs. Our goal is to build careers.

We're a small, growing company that values initiative, accountability, problem-solving, communication, and a willingness to continually learn. As we grow, we want our team members to grow with us.

Build a Career Outside

  • We believe skilled, dependable people deserve a livable wage.

    Compensation at Timberline Treks is based on experience, responsibility, performance, certifications, leadership ability, and continued professional development.

  • All new team members begin with a structured onboarding and training period designed to set both the employee and the dogs up for long-term success.

    Training Period

    • Typically 2 weeks

    • Paid at $20/hour

    • Duration may vary depending on prior experience, demonstrated competency, and the skill sets an individual brings to the role

    • Shadowing existing team members

    • Dog handling and pack management

    • Vehicle and transportation procedures

    • Public trail system navigation

    • Safety protocols and risk management

    • Client communication expectations

    • Company systems and daily operations

    • Review of the Timberline Treks Employee Handbook and Standard Operating Procedures

    • Dog CPR and Canine First Aid certification training

    • Emergency response procedures

    • Trail etiquette and public interaction expectations

    Our goal during onboarding isn't simply to teach someone how to complete tasks—it's to ensure every team member understands how to safely manage dogs, make sound decisions in the field, represent the company professionally, and operate independently when needed.

    Following successful completion of onboarding, compensation is immediately reviewed and adjusted based on demonstrated competency, reliability, and level of independence.

    Not every employee arrives with the same background, and not every training period looks identical. Some individuals may progress through onboarding more quickly, while others may benefit from additional mentorship and training time before operating independently. We believe in setting people up for success rather than rushing them through a checklist.

  • Most Adventure Pack Leaders earn between:

    $20–$30+ per hour

    Compensation varies based on:

    • Dog handling experience

    • Training and behavior knowledge

    • Outdoor leadership experience

    • Driving responsibilities

    • Risk management and decision-making ability

    • Certifications and continuing education

    • Ability to independently manage dogs, clients, and programs

    We do not believe in arbitrary ceilings.

    As Timberline Treks grows, we intend to create additional opportunities for leadership, specialization, mentorship, training, management responsibilities, and increased compensation.

    Our goal is to build a company where hardworking, capable people can create a meaningful career and earn a livable wage while doing work they genuinely enjoy.

  • We believe feedback should be regular, constructive, and growth-oriented.

    Our review schedule includes:

    • End-of-training evaluation

    • 90-day performance review

    • Quarterly performance reviews

    • Ongoing coaching and mentorship

    Reviews focus on:

    • Safety

    • Dog handling skills

    • Leadership

    • Reliability

    • Communication

    • Client experience

    • Professional development

    • Contribution to company culture

  • Because great work requires great equipment.

    Timberline Treks provides:

    • Training equipment

    • Dog handling gear

    • Safety equipment

    • Company apparel as available

    • Continuing education opportunities

    • Mentorship and coaching

    • Professional development support

    Professional Certifications

    We invest in our team and believe education should continue long after onboarding.

    Opportunities may include:

    • Company-paid Dog CPR and Canine First Aid certification

    • Ongoing training in dog behavior and handling

    • Risk management and safety training

    • Outdoor leadership development

    • Continuing education opportunities relevant to the role

    Annual Footwear Stipend

    Our team spends thousands of miles per year on trails, beaches, roads, and public lands.

    To help offset that wear and tear, team members receive:

    Up to $300 annually toward hiking boots, trail runners, winter footwear, or approved work shoes.

    Coffee & Croissant Fund

    Let's be honest.

    A lot of good conversations happen over coffee and pastries before heading out on the trail.

    Team members regularly enjoy coffee runs, bakery stops, and occasional trailhead breakfasts on us.

Current Opportunities

Adventure Pack Leader

Overview

This is our most active and physically demanding role.

Adventure Pack Leaders are responsible for safely managing groups of dogs on structured off-leash adventures throughout Southern Maine.

This position is ideal for someone who genuinely enjoys being outdoors, has strong situational awareness, and finds fulfillment in leadership, movement, and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

  • Picking up and dropping off dogs

  • Safely transporting dogs in company vehicles

  • Leading structured off-leash pack adventures

  • Monitoring dog behavior and group dynamics

  • Maintaining safety on public trail systems

  • Communicating with clients and team members

  • Photographing and documenting adventures when appropriate

  • Maintaining equipment and vehicle cleanliness

  • Supporting day-to-day company operations

Ideal Background

Bonus points for:

  • Dog training experience

  • Veterinary experience

  • Animal care experience

  • Maine Guide certification

  • EMT, WFR, or Wilderness First Aid certification

  • Trail running, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, skiing, or guiding experience

  • Professional driving experience

  • Leadership experience

Physical Requirements

Applicants should be comfortable:

  • Hiking 5–10+ miles

  • Lifting 50+ pounds

  • Working outdoors year-round

  • Navigating uneven terrain

  • Driving in all weather conditions

  • Managing multiple dogs simultaneously

This Role Is For You If...

You'd rather be outside than inside.

You enjoy solving problems.

You remain calm when things get complicated.

You like dogs but also understand that good dog handling requires structure, leadership, consistency, and accountability.

Doggy Taxi Driver

Overview

Love dogs but don't necessarily want to spend your day hiking mountains?

This might be the role for you.

Our Doggy Taxi Drivers are responsible for safely transporting dogs to and from our adventure programs throughout Southern Maine.

You'll work alongside our Adventure Pack Leaders by handling pickup and drop-off logistics, helping ensure dogs arrive safely and on time while our field staff remain focused on the trail.

Think of yourself as the transportation backbone of the operation.

Responsibilities

  • Following established transportation routes

  • Picking up dogs from clients' homes

  • Delivering dogs to designated trailhead locations

  • Coordinating with Pack Leaders throughout the day

  • Returning dogs home safely following adventures

  • Maintaining vehicle cleanliness and organization

  • Monitoring dogs during transportation

  • Providing friendly, professional client interactions

Ideal Background

  • Comfortable driving for extended periods

  • Strong time-management skills

  • Excellent communication skills

  • Comfortable handling dogs during loading and unloading

  • Clean driving record

  • Reliable and punctual

Physical Requirements

  • Comfortable lifting 50 pounds

  • Entering and exiting vehicles frequently throughout the day

  • Managing dogs during transportation

  • Working in all weather conditions

Perks

  • Less hiking, more driving

  • Consistent routes

  • Coffee and bakery runs

  • Spending your day with dogs

  • Flexible scheduling opportunities

  • Potential pathway into Pack Leader positions for those interested

This Role Is For You If...

You love dogs.

You enjoy driving.

You don't necessarily want to spend six hours hiking in the rain.

You appreciate having a clear route, a good playlist, a coffee in hand, and a van full of happy dogs headed home from an adventure.

Interested?

If any of this sounds like the kind of work you'd genuinely be excited to do, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send us:

  • A brief introduction

  • Relevant work experience

  • Outdoor experience (if applicable)

  • Any dog-related experience

  • Why you'd like to join the Timberline Treks team

Email: timberlinepups@gmail.com

Subject Line: Careers at Timberline Treks

Even if we aren't actively hiring at the moment, we're always interested in meeting great people who align with our values, culture, and mission.

Life is short. Spend more of it outside.