Lodge at stehekin Jobs
General Information
The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin is, for the most part, inside concession work involving lodging, food service, retail, tours, and fuel sales. Applicants are considered for all positions based upon their abilities, skill, and knowledge and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, marital or veteran status, physical or mental disability.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age when reporting to work in order to live in company provided housing. All employees must show proof of eligibility to work in the United States upon arrival to the Lodge. Employment with the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin is a wonderful opportunity to work and experience both the Lake Chelan Recreational Area and the adjoining North Cascades National Park – the mountains, lakes, rivers, canyons, and mountain valleys. Although a wonderful opportunity, working for the Lodge at Stehekin is hard work and the location extremely remote without cell and limited telephone service. Internet service is available only through a personal satellite system.
Although most positions are seasonal, if your primary motivation is financial, a position at the Lodge may not be the best fit for you. The most successful employees have been those who enjoy interacting with our visitors and guests, enjoying the outdoor activities that the recreational area provides, and a diverse work environment.
Stehekin Valley
The Lodge at Stehekin rests at the north end of Lake Chelan within the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. It is a majestic mountain setting known for its beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities and as a gateway to the North Cascades National Park. Stehekin has long served as a passageway through the rugged Cascade Mountains and the name translates from its Native American roots as "the way through".
Travel to and from Stehekin is limited to a passenger ferry - the Lady of the Lake - from the town of Chelan, hiking into the Stehekin Valley, or taking a seaplane from Chelan. Stehekin has one main road that winds up the valley 23 miles from the Lodge which is located at the southern terminus of the road. Only 4.5 miles of the road is paved. Most staff members utilize a bicycle and/or the bus shuttle that the Lodge operates. Personal vehicles can be barged up to Stehekin however, for seasonal employees it may not be worth the expense and vehicle parking at the Lodge staff housing is very limited. Many staff members have chosen to bring their bicycle as a primary mode of transportation. Hiking trails and outdoor activities are literally out your front door!
Operating Season
Our peak operating season is between June 15 and September 30. The exact dates that you are available for employment are very important to us in order to provide the level of service to visitors and guests to the Lodge at Stehekin. We will have anywhere from 30 to 100 people staying overnight with us and the dining room will serve from 150 to 300 people each day. The Lodge is open year round however, most visitors and guests visit during the period from Memorial Day in May to the end of October. Primary consideration is given to those applicants who can work the entire season from May through September. Please indicate on the application the dates you are available. If you are available immediately and/or able to remain indefinitely, please indicate so on the space provided on the application. The employment dates agreed upon become part of a signed agreement if you are hired and any employee who breaks the agreement is not eligible for rehire. Some positions may be open for a shorter time period. Year round positions are very limited.
Expectations and Job Requirements
Permits or requirements are noted for certain positions such as a Washington State Food Handlers Permit, a CDL license with passenger endorsement for driving buses, or a Washington State Class 12 Alcohol Servers Permit. All licenses and/or permits must be acquired before your arrival and remain valid and current for the length of your employment.
You will be working in a challenging environment and we hope to make that experience equally enjoyable by being fair and treating each of our employees with dignity and respect. We expect our staff to be respectful of the community, the environment, and each other.
Appearance: We expect all staff to maintain a clean and neatly groomed appearance on the job and off the job while in public areas. You represent not only yourself but also each other staff member, Guest Services, Inc., and our client the National Park Service. Those arriving with extreme hair color or style will be asked to make modifications. Perfumes, facial jewelry, and necklaces or bracelets may not be worn while in uniform.
Male employees will be required to wear a neatly tapered, conventional haircut no longer than to the top of a dress shirt collar. No ponytails or "tails" of any length may be worn in public contact positions. Male employees in non-public contact positions or in the kitchen may have long hair that is contained in a ponytail, hat, or net and meets health code requirements.. Male employees are not permitted to wear earrings while on duty. Well groomed beards, goatees, and mustaches are acceptable upon approval of the General Manager. Unapproved facial hair must be shaved prior to the first work shift after notification. It is also understood that if you did not arrive with a beard or goatee, you will not start growing one during the season.
Female employees with long hair must keep it restrained while on duty so that it will not fall forward. Female employees working in the kitchen must contain long hair in a ponytail, hat, or net as prescribed by health code.
Uniforms: Uniforms will be provided for all positions except where noted in the position description. For most positions, the uniform will consist of a shirt or blouse and all employees are expected to wear a name tag. Generally, you will need to provide your own pants and only in the situation of outdoors landscaping or maintenance type work would blue jeans be allowed.
Punctuality: We depend upon you getting to work on time and in proper attire including your name tag. If you are late, it creates a hardship on fellow staff members and invariably compromises guest service and expectations.
Pay Days: Pay days are every other week on Friday representing two week pay periods. Direct deposit or a VISA PayCard (debit card) are available and are encouraged since there are no banking services within Stehekin.
Work Week: A standard work week is 40 hours with overtime paid after 40 hours during the standard work week. Our work week starts on a Saturday and ends on the following Friday. Employees living in company provided housing are expected to be available to work 40 hours on any given week.
Drug Testing: As a federal contractor, Guest Services, Inc. is committed to providing a drug-free workplace in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other federal regulations pertaining to a Drug-Free Workplace. You will be tested for drug use when you arrive and random tests will be conducted during the course of your employment. A positive test or refusal to be tested will result in your dismissal.
Employee Housing
The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin provides housing for our seasonal staff at a payroll deduction of $40 per week. The housing consists of small rustic cabins of varying sizes that accommodate from 2 to 8 people. Each cabin is furnished with beds, furniture, refrigerator and stove/oven, pots and pans, and utensils. You will need to provide your own bedding and personal items for your comfort. Quiet hours are observed from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The Lodge and the National Park Service has the right to inspect living quarters and control visitation at any time.
Food Supplies: You will be responsible for all of your meals. An employee discount of 25% off of dining room food can be used during any meal period. This discount is for the employee use only and can be restricted at the discretion of the Chef at anytime.
Most staff members will email or fax grocery orders from one of the local grocery stores in Chelan. A list can also be sent to the Safeway or Chelan Market with a signed check to pay for your groceries or you can set-up an account with the store utilizing a credit/debit card. The store will pick the items you selected and box your groceries for you. The Lake Chelan Boat Company will pick up your order and deliver it to Stehekin for a minimum charge of $7 for orders up to 75lbs.
The Lodge operates a retail store providing a small number of grocery items mostly for items a lodge guest may have forgotten. No employee discount is offered.
Laundry: A centralized employee laundry facility is available for use. You will need to provide your own detergent and supplies.
Phone: There exists only one pay phone in Stehekin and cell signal coverage does not exist. The pay phone only accepts calling cards which can be purchased in the general store or in Chelan.
Mail: The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin has a P.O. Box where employees can have their mail sent.
Transportation: Aside from walking/hiking, the option is to bring a bicycle. It is the best mode for most people and a Mountain bike is favorable since the road is paved for only 4 and a half miles before turning to dirt and gravel. Your bike can be transported on the Lady of the Lake passenger ferry for a fee of approximately $12.00 one way.
How do you Get Here:
The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin is located at Stehekin, Washington on the northern end of Lake Chelan within the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Lake Chelan is a 55 mile long lake with the northern terminus at Stehekin and the southern terminus at the town of Chelan. The town of Chelan is accessible by car or bus and is approximately 180 miles from Seattle and 160 miles from Spokane, Washington. Stehekin is only accessible by boat or seaplane unless you hike into the area. The most economical way of reaching us is through the Lake Chelan Boat Company that operates passenger boats to and from Stehekin from the town of Chelan. A full schedule can be found be visiting www.ladyofthelake.com. Chelan Seaplanes offer regular scheduled service between the town of Chelan and Stehekin during the summer season and can be reached at www.chelanseaplanes.com. Routes to Chelan utilizing public transportation can be found at www.linktransit.com.
Jobs / Positions
The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin is not a large operation and during the peak of the season we will have approximately 30 staff members working. It is important to that we work well together and are respectful. Although you will be hired for a specific position, we expect that you are willing to assist in other areas and perform other job tasks to ensure we excel providing service to our guests and visitors. The ability to adapt to change is a necessary trait for success at the Lodge.
Kitchen Utility / Bus: Dish machine operation, pot washing, cleaning of kitchen surfaces and assisting dining room staff. Food Handlers Permit required.
Housekeeping: Performs skilled and routine maintenance and tasks necessary to maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of the unit. Responsible for the cleanliness and sanitation of guest rooms, public areas, and offices. Launders and folds all linens and distributes supplies.
Line Cook: Food preparation and presentation in a restaurant environment of breakfast, lunch, and dinner service. Breakfast consisting of eggs cooked to order, omelets, pancakes, breakfast meats, etc…Lunch consisting of hamburgers, hot and cold sandwiches, soups, etc…Dinner consisting of broiler, sauté, roasting, sauces, etc. Must have previous experience, ability to maintain kitchen sanitation standards and safe practices. Food Handlers Permit required.
Maintenance: Assist in all phases of routine and cyclic hotel, restaurant, and employee housing maintenance as directed. Performs repairs to refrigeration, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems and/or machinery
to keep in good order.
Management / Supervisory Positions: Various management and/or supervisory positions may be available. Please indicate on your application which management or supervisory positions you feel you may be qualified or interested in pursuing.
Prep Cook: Preparation of salads, sandwiches, deserts, soups, and appetizers. Assists cooks in food preparation, organize items required for their shift, and maintain kitchen cleanliness and safe practices. Food Handlers Permit required.
Retail Clerk: Retail sales including grocery items, gifts, apparel, sporting goods, fuel sales (marine and vehicle) and assist in making activity reservations. Provides friendly and professional service. Processes retail transactions, stocks merchandise, and provide visitor services. Class 13 Alcohol Service Permit required.
Shuttle Driver: Provides transportation services to visitors and guests within the Stehekin Valley. Must possess a CDL license with passenger and air brake endorsements.
Wait Staff: Provide friendly and professional restaurant service in a casual atmosphere. Responsible for maintaining dining room cleanliness and sanitation, bussing of service ware, and limited food preparation of service items. Food Handlers Permit and Class 12 Alcohol Service Permit required.
Housekeeper: Responsible for the cleanliness and sanitation of guest rooms, public areas, and offices. Launders and folds all linens utilized and distribute supplies. This is can be a physically challenging position.