Spend your summer cooking great food on the harbor in Valdez, Alaska.

Nat Shack is a busy outdoor restaurant serving Cal-Mex fusion food in the heart of downtown Valdez, Alaska. Located right on the harbor, we’re surrounded by mountains, glaciers, fishing boats, and nonstop summer energy. We serve locals, commercial fishermen, and travelers from around the world and we do it with great food, good music, and a tight-knit crew. 

Summer at Nat Shack can be intense, fun, fast, and incredibly rewarding. Some days the line runs down the street from open to close. Other days the pace slows and the focus shifts to prepping, cleaning, and getting ready for the next rush.

Nat Shack can get busy, but we also like to have a good time. The crew gets shift meals and a shift drink, and summer tends to turn coworkers into friends pretty quickly. Between the occasional parties, events, and even wedding receptions on the lot, there’s always something going on. We work hard, but we definitely know how to have fun!!

We’re looking for someone to join our crew who can work hard, stay positive, and take pride in doing things well.

Team members work together across several roles inside the Nat Shack: the grill, the line, and the front window. Everyone works together and supports each other.

The Roles Inside Nat Shack:

• The Grill requires serious multitasking, strong communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. The grill cook manages multiple orders at once while maintaining speed, accuracy, and food safety.

  • Key qualities:

    • Excellent multitasking

    • Strong memory and communication

    • Speed without sacrificing accuracy

    • Attention to detail and food quality

    • Clean and organized workspace

    • Reliability and focus during high-pressure rushes

    • If you like being in the center of the action and thrive during a rush, the grill might be your spot.

• The Line Cook keeps the kitchen flowing smoothly. This role assembles orders quickly and precisely, keeps ingredients organized and stocked, and works closely with the grill to ensure every plate that goes out is right.

  • Key qualities:

    • Fast but meticulous

    • Extremely clean and organized

    • Great communication with the team

    • Attention to detail

    • Strong memory for orders and builds

    • Pride in presentation and consistency

• The Front Window is where the Nat Shack experience begins. Our front window team takes orders, engages with customers, serves drinks (including alcohol), and keeps the energy positive. We are proud of our outstanding reputation and 5-star reviews, and the front position plays a huge role in that.

  • Key qualities:

    • Friendly, engaging personality

    • Strong multitasking skills

    • Excellent customer service

    • Observant and organized

    • Comfortable with busy environments

    • Ability to keep the vibe positive during long lines

    • Front window staff must be 21+ and able to obtain a TAPS card for serving alcohol.

What All Roles Share:

No matter the role, working at Nat Shack requires:

• Stamina – long shifts on your feet

• Teamwork – communication is everything in a small kitchen

• Situational awareness – knowing what needs to be done without being told

• Pride in cleanliness and organization

• A positive attitude during busy days

• We sometimes have a line out to the street for hours. When things are busy, we move fast. When things slow down, we look around, restock, prep, clean, and get ready for the next rush.

Experience

No experience is required to apply, but restaurant or kitchen experience is strongly preferred. We can teach the systems. What we’re really looking for are people who are:

• Hardworking

• Reliable

• Positive

• Quick learners

• Great with people

Season Details

Season runs early May through September.

This is a full-time summer position (40+ hours/week).

Employee housing is available. Housing is located close to the grocery store and Nat Shack.

Life in Valdez

Valdez is one of the most beautiful places in Alaska. On your days off, you can explore:

• Kayaking

• Fishing

• Hiking

• Glacier viewing

• Local events and festivals

• Endless mountain and ocean views

Working at Nat Shack means spending a summer in an unforgettable place with a crew that works hard and has fun doing it!

If this sounds like your kind of summer, we’d love to hear from you!