July 2026
Seasonal Spotlight: nick salava, Ben Toth, Rachel biggs, Shaun mcgraw, jess banks, ryan brucks, rob hinzmann, toolik field station FEMC crew
toolik field station, alaska
Nestled in the foothills of the Brooks Range, Toolik Field Station is supported by a PFS team of seasonal electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and heavy equipment operators, who are truly construction specialists and help keep Arctic research moving forward.
Many of these team members have spent years with Polar Field Services—and in some cases two decades—supporting Toolik Field Station, Greenland operations, and other of our remote polar projects. Not to mention all the experience they have working in Antarctica as well! All together they bring the experience, adaptability, craftsmanship, and problem-solving required to work in one of the most challenging environments on Earth.
What keeps them coming back?
The answer was nearly universal: “the people.”
The crew spoke about the friendships, the challenging projects, the wildlife, and the opportunity to support world-class science in an extraordinary landscape. One seasonal summed it up best: “It’s the crew that brings you back here.”
life at toolik
No two days are the same. One day might involve building boardwalks, upgrading utilities, installing windows, or operating heavy equipment. The next could mean troubleshooting infrastructure in sub-zero temperatures or supporting major station improvements
Spring brings deep snow, frozen ground, and temperatures below -30°F. Fall brings mosquito swarms, soaking rain, impromptu blizzards, various wildlife, and on some of the good days – the best views Alaska has to offer.
the people behind the work:
Nick – The Electrical Master Mind
Since arriving at Toolik in 2011, Nick has become one of the station's true institutional knowledge holders. His work can be found throughout nearly every corner of the Toolik electrical system, (on and off the grid) and his attention to safety, the smallest detail, and dedication to documentation ensures that critical knowledge is never lost.
And how does he do it all? Coffee remains his essential survival tool.
Ben – Master of the Big Toys
For more than a decade, Ben has spent summers at Toolik operating heavy equipment and supporting construction projects across station. His passion for moving earth, operating machinery, and building infrastructure is immediately obvious to anyone who has worked alongside him. Equally comfortable behind the controls of an excavator as with a shovel in hand.
Ben brings curiosity, humility, and a strong commitment to safety to every project. His enthusiasm for both construction and the science happening around Toolik perfectly reflects the station's collaborative culture.
Rachel – Building the Next Legacy
As Carpenter Foreman, Rachel combines leadership, technical expertise, and years of polar experience gained throughout Alaska, Greenland, and Antarctica. She is equally at home leading crews, constructing facilities, doing the job no one wants, and when not working exploring the surrounding tundra.
Rachel is passionate about the Toolik community, the changing Arctic landscape, and the unique opportunity to support science in a truly wild environment.
Shaun – Craftsmanship Matters
A veteran of Toolik and Greenland, Shaun approaches every project with the mindset of a master carpenter. From major infrastructure improvements to the smallest details, he brings the same attention to quality and finish.
His favorite projects are those that improve safety and make life easier for the researchers who depend on Toolik's facilities every season
Jess – The Utility Player
She brings a unique combination of carpentry, rigging, and polar operations experience gained across multiple remote environments. Whether supporting a large crew project or tackling individual tasks, Jess brings versatility, safety awareness, and a constant willingness to learn.
For Jess, the best part of Toolik is the freedom to explore, the changing wildlife, and working alongside an accomplished group of people with diverse backgrounds and skillsets.
Brucks – The Adventurer
Whether working at Toolik or Summit Station, Brucks has earned a reputation for adaptability, professionalism, and an easygoing attitude. Comfortable operating equipment, building infrastructure, or exploring the Brooks Range after hours, he embodies the adventurous spirit that attracts many seasonal employees north.
His favorite Toolik memories include summiting Mount Kiev and packrafting the Atigun Gorge
Rob – The Plumber's Plumber
With years of experience supporting operations at both Summit Station and Toolik, Rob has contributed to some of the station's most significant utility projects, including plumbing improvements, waste heat systems, and the lake water intake installation. Known for his practical approach, strong work ethic, and unmistakable personality, Rob represents the kind of skilled tradesperson that keeps remote stations functioning day after day, year after year
Only at Toolik
Toolik Field Station is known for the quality and quantity of their food! Favorite meal?
Among this crew, the salad bar earned overwhelming support, with mole chicken, tuna steaks, and plenty of coffee also making the list.
The biggest surprise for many visitors is the combination of stunning scenery, incredible wildlife, and the unique community where scientists and tradespeople work side-by-side every day.
More Than a Job
From building boardwalks on the tundra for science projects, installing a lake water intake system to provide water for the station, working through -30°F conditions, and representing the PFS FEMC crew at Toolik Trivia nights… the crew's stories reflect the adventure, resilience, and teamwork that define life at Toolik, model their commitment that keep Arctic research moving forward, and represent the best of PFS..
Thank you to the Toolik Seasonal Crew for helping make Toolik Field Station a place where science, community, and adventure come together!
Photos: Rachel Biggs, Rebecca Buseck, Travis Moose, Trace Wright
may 2026
Seasonal Spotlight: Katie Sismour and Brian Wilson, Raven Camp Crew
What does a typical day look like for you at Raven during flight periods?
Brian typically gets up an hour before our first flight to prepare by melting out the PistenBully, troubleshooting equipment, moving snow, making roads, shoveling, and building cargo. After the flight departs, he grooms on the skiway until 3 a.m. if conditions are cold enough.
Katie's day begins at 4:50 AM with weather observations--which occur every 20-30 minutes. Operational tasks are squeezed in between observations: cargo paperwork, flight following/operations, snow shoveling, making water, polar bear checks, meal prep, and troubleshooting various heating/electronic systems.
Unlike bigger camps with designated people for each position, the two of us do everything ourselves and may not see another human for 4-8 weeks!
What do you find the most enjoyable and the most challenging about working/living at Raven camp?
Most enjoyable:
Having a little garden, which Silver (14 seasons at Raven) taught me how to grow in the tent.
Flying kites on fair weather days.
The need to think outside of the box and be creative, working with what you have since 2 week + delays for flights are common at Raven.
Working directly with the ANG and seeing how excited they get to train at Raven.
Most challenging:
The weather. We get a lot of snow, wind, above 0°C temps and we see most of the different kinds of precipitation as well. It also rains at Raven!
Grooming at 3am (we have to groom overnight so that the temps are cold enough). We see some pretty awesome auroras, the kind that make you thankful instead of cranky to be up in the middle of the night grooming a skiway in the middle of Greenland.
Describe the craziest, hardest, and or best experience at Raven?
Our first season, we got hit with a storm during put-in that lasted 3 days. We had sustained winds 30 to 50 kts gusting 60-70 kts. Four of us spent five days living in our little E-shack (A 7’ x 8’ building the size of an Airforce pallet) before the weather let up. It took 2 weeks before the weather improved enough to set-up and move everything into the Weatherport (the camp’s main tent).
At put-in this year, we had a plane stuck on the ground after 8 attempts to take off on our ungroomed skiway. It felt like a magic trick but all 7 of the air crew and us fit in the 7’ x 8’ E-shack space together with all of their Do Not Freeze gear. Reminded me of Mary Poppins’ handbag. It was the only warm place to stay out of the 25-30 kts winds. They had to stay overnight until conditions allowed them to take off the next day.
What would people be surprised to learn about working/living at Raven?
Raven Camp was set up during the Cold War alongside the DYE-2 radar station for early warning against Soviet air attacks. DYE-2 was abandoned in 1988, but the structure still stands 2/3 mile from Raven Camp.
We often see cross-country skiers, some kite skiers, and the occasional helicopter. Drew & Silver (Raven staff for 14 years) have also seen dog sled teams and a runner come through.
We wash our clothes in a 5-gallon bucket with a plunger, handling about four garments or ten pairs of socks at a time, requiring 400 plunges per load.
How did you get involved in this role?
I (Katie) landed the Fuels Operator job at WAIS divide, Antarctica in 2018 where I met Brian. That year he told me he was done working in the cold and wanted to work somewhere warm handing out beach towels in his bare feet!
Several years later, I applied for the Site Supervisor position at Summit station. After Austin the Station Manager interviewed me, I asked if there was a job for Brian as being apart for 4 months a year was already more than enough. When I rattled off a list of Brian skills, how he makes everyone laugh, how he easily outworks everyone in camp and is first to have his hands in the dish pit - Austin wrote back, saying he thinks we are the unicorns needed for Raven camp. Happy Raven Unicorns we are indeed!
Raven Legacy Team
Raven has a very storied history and Seasonal support team of super stars. Drew and Silver Abbott spent 14 summers at Raven and 4 seasons passing on their knowledge by helping the new teams with camp put-in. Josh Parris supported Raven for 16 seasons as the Raven Carpenter Foreman, Mark Lesher and Todd Kasch have worked in Kangerlussuaq since 2004 - prepping the Raven PistenBullys for long hours of skiway construction and maintenance.
Photos: Katie Sismour, Brian Wilson
Banner Photo: Kevin Pettway