03/05/2026
Austin is a Maintenance Fellow serving through MobilizeGreen’s Maintenance & Infrastructure Fellowship in Kotzebue, Alaska, a small town just above the Arctic Circle. Working alongside Selawik NWR professional maintenance staff, Austin supports day-to-day operations while learning what maintenance work looks like in a remote, cold-weather environment.
Reflecting on his experience, Austin said, "It’s been great working out here, the environment is much different than what I was used to in California, but I’ve grown to love it. I love learning about the local communities, local fish, and the upkeep of cold buildings. I feel like I’ve grown a lot since I’ve gotten here and learned a lot of useful skills.”
Being in the Arctic Circle, over the summer, Austin experienced days with 24 hours of sunlight, and now over the winter, is experiencing days without any sunlight, with both options having their pros and cons. He shared that this winter has had an average temperature of -12°F, which is warmer than usual, and the area has received so much snow that it went up to waist level. Austin says, “I prefer the cold over blazing heat any day.”
This winter, Austin has been using several pieces of heavy equipment for removing snow, including a bobcat with a bucket and snowblower and a truck with a plow attachment. Additionally, he had the opportunity to snowmobile across the Baldwin Peninsula. Now, he and the other FWS maintenance staff are focused on vehicle maintenance, landscaping/snow removal, and planning for refuge upkeep projects in the summer.
Interested in hands-on work that makes a real impact? Maintenance fellows like Austin are gaining practical skills while supporting public lands and communities.
🔧🌲 Learn more about our maintenance and infrastructure opportunities through this link: https://www.mobilizegreen.org/job-board
