Stout's Island Lodge
Stout's Island Lodge
Currently recruiting for the season from May 1st, 2026 to October 31st, 2026.
Stout's Island is a private resort that offers lodging, fine dining, and hosts events (primarily weddings). Our season runs from May-October and we try to fit as much in during that time as possible. In other words, there's never a dull moment. Our positions are fast paced and creates a wonderful comradery amongst staff. When you take a boat to get to work, it's hard not to love your job!
Located on Red Cedar lake in Birchwood, Wisconsin. Two hours west to the Twin Cities. Two hours north to Duluth and Lake Superior. TONS of lake activity in the area all summer long.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Season
- Summer and Fall
- Staff size
- 30-40
- Housing
- Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
- Housing details
- Housing available both on the island and off the island.
- Meals
- Some meals / discounts
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Good
About Stout's Island Lodge
At this time we are NOT able to accomodate H-2B or J1 workers.
Stout's Island Lodge is an upscale private island resort in northern Wisconsin on Red Cedar Lake. The island itself is 18 acres full of lush and abundant plant life. Surrounded by clean clear water, you can spend your days off swimming, kayaking, or renting a pontoon and visiting other nearby resorts for live music and outdoor events without ever having to get into a car. You'll even take a boat to and from work!
Our weekdays are filled with guests staying here on their vacations, honeymoons, or corporate retreats and spending meal times in our gourmet restaurant. Our weekends are spent hosting exclusive private island weddings.
Most of our clientele come from either the Twin Cities, Madison, Milwaukee, or Chicago and are looking to have a relaxing experience out of the city, and into the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Although our guests do enjoy being catered to, they are always kind, respectful, and take a genuine interest in the staff taking care of their personal needs.
Our jobs are unique in the sense that they come with many different island-specific responsibilities. Quite literally, one of our most important roles is the boat driver, who does much more than just driving the boat. We are a fast-paced and hands-on environment and we try to make the most of every season while also enjoying each others company and working together to problem solve!
The Employee Experience
Someone once said, a bad day on the island is better than a good day in the office and those of us who have had the opportunity to work here know that's a fact!
At Stout's Island, we have always been proud of the camaraderie amongst our staff. There's something to be said about taking a boat to work and the effect it has on our employee's moods! Everyone works together to make our guests have an experience they'll talk about all summer long and then come back the next year to relive it over again.
If you've never traveled to Wisconsin, Stout's Island and the Birchwood area are perfect examples of how beautiful it really is. The seasons change and give you a great variety of weather during our six-month season. You'll get to see the full transition from spring greenery and flowers blooming to hot summer nights, and then to the changing of the fall leaves. We are also surrounded by more than 20 clean lakes within a 30-mile radius and a range of adorable small town festivals with tons of live music.
While working on the island you'll get to spend a lot of your day outside and depending on your job, a bit on the water as well. We try our hardest to fit staff with positions that will help themselves and the island to thrive and are always willing to cross train to give you different opportunites to learn new skills.
Because we have a small staff, everyone becomes close to one another and we prioritize making our staff feel important and valued. Open communication and mutual respect is key to our success because having a staff that feels good about coming to work SHOWS! Our goal is to not only have out staff end the season with gaining knowlege and job experience, but also leave feeling like they were part of a team.
Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidates are hard workers, willing to help out wherever needed, and are team-oriented. Like with any seasonal resort, the days are busy and jam packed with activity. All staff needs to have a positive attitude and the ability to problem-solve and multitask!
Room and Board
We offer two different locations for our employee housing. Three double occupancy rooms on the island, and a private house connected to our check-in space on shore.
On island housing spaces include a private bathroom and small kitchen per living space. Our off island housing has three bedrooms in one building with a shared bathroom, living space, and kitchen.
All persons staying in employee housing will be charged $200 for a shared room or $300 for a single occupancy room.
Housing is available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Employee Perks
- All employees can order lunch (during low restaurant volume) at a 50% discount while at work.
- All employees are welcome to bring out friends/families for lunch or dinner with a 50% discount.
- All employees are also given a 50% discount when visiting any other sister properties in the Twin Cities.
- 50% off all merchandise and clothing.
- Free team jackets.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Since we are located in a rural area, there is unfortunately not a lot of public transportation. Those who are staying near/on the island will be able to get to work without a car, but may want some transportation (car or bicycle) for their days off, as everything in the area is somewhat spread out.
Transportation from airports or trains can be arranged for new staff arrivals!
For Fun
There are so many things to do in the area all season long. Lake activities are a given (swimming, kayaking, fishing) but if the water isn't your thing, we are 15 miles from the Blue Hills where there is tons of hiking on and off the Ice Age Trail, and 35 miles from the Camba biking trails in Hayward. In addition to outdoor activities, we are surrounded by a multitude of other seasonal resorts, restaurants, and bars open for the summer with live music almost everyday of the week.
Small town festivals happen pretty frequently during the summer as well which are a great way to become one of the locals! The community is very welcoming with a lot of unique charm.
Current Job Openings
Practice safe food handling when performing their duties.
Prepare all meat, vegetables, and other ingredients for cooking.
Prepare and plate customer meals to order.
Create and execute all restaurant menus.
Manage and train all kitchen staff.
Communicate with event coordinator for event catering.
Maintaining food cost at budget.
Ordering food inventory from vendors.
Maintaining a pristine kitchen through implemented cleaning regimen.
Capable of operating and programming POS system
Qualifications:
Experience required
Ability to manage staff
Experience with food ordering and maintaining inventory
Ability to drive a boat a plus
Experience working on small, versatile teams
Experience implementing new menus and specials
Has excellent time management skills
Experience in large and small catering events preferred
Ability to multi-task
Ability to problem solve
Ability to handle stressful situations while keeping a positive attitude
- Ensure the safe and timely passage of guests to and from the island and other places as applicable, including delivering luggage and guests to/from their rooms
- Ensure guests are given the best first impression possible; given a full and complete tour (including history and important locations) and are given any necessary clarification.
- Ensure company watercraft are driven safety and ensure each craft is ready for each journey (safety equipment, fuel levels, cleanliness, etc.)
- Ensure guests safely embark and disembark watercraft(s).
- Ensure all equipment is clean, tidy, and in good working order including boats, lawn mowers, golf carts, etc. Treats this equipment with due respect.
- Ensure guest outdoor recreation areas and equipment are kept clean, painted (as applicable) and in good working order (lawn furniture, kayaks, canoes, hydro-bikes, tennis court, etc.)
- Ensure cleanliness of outdoor common areas including boat house, powerhouse, and swim docks.
- Remove trash from island and deliver to dumpster on shore.
- Ensure deliveries for all departments are delivered to their proper locations.
- Clean second story awnings, screens, etc. that housekeeping is unable to reach with a broom
- General handyman responsibilities.
- maintaining a clean and organized work area
- keeping front of house and back of house dishes clean and stored properly
- helping maintain proper product storage
- help maintain overall cleanliness in the kitchen and cleaning schedules for equipment and food storage areas
- helping in the kitchen with light prep and the opportunity to work on the line.
- Able to lift 50 lbs
- Able to work most weekends
- Able to be on feet for long periods of time
- Executing dinner service working alongside the chef
- Multitask between working the line and preparing food for events
- Cooking the restaurant menus
- Preparing food for buffets and plated meals for up to 200 people
- Helping with kitchen sanitization
Maintain a stocked line
Execute all restaurant menus
Ability to follow recipes
Complete simple baking tasks
Keep up with all sanitization
Maintain cleanliness standards
Ability to be on feet for majority of shift
Ability to lift at least 25 lbs.
Knife skills
Scheduling staff based on occupancy and reservations
Keep inventory on liquor, beer, wine
Place weekly beverage orders based on event and restaurant needs
Manage cost and waste of products
Train all servers on breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar service
Make updates to menu in POS systems
Ability to learn and use resort reservation system
Ensure linens are supplied
Step in and assist servers with dining and bar service as needed
Ensure all closing and opening duties are completed each day for both FOH and BOH
Process end of day paperwork
Assist with events as needed
Assist guests with all needs
Create bar menus
Executive Chef/Kitchen Manager
JOB OVERVIEW:
The executive chef/kitchen manager position is a vital role at Stout’s Island. As such, you would be responsible for the successful execution of all restaurant meal services, effectively serve our guests, and work to provide an unprecedented experience for guests and staff alike. You will also collaborate with our events chef and event coordinator to help manage and schedule staff for events, work together to put in food orders to ensure all necessary products are provided, and create menu specials based on excess food product. You would also be responsible for training all staff to be completely capable of producing menu items in your absence and keeping the kitchen up to the highest standards of cleanliness.
While our events chef will lead the kitchen during events, you would also need to be capable of producing event menus of the same quality in their absence. This position requires someone highly motivated who is proficient in kitchen safety and standards, can create unique and interesting up-scale menus, and can work all positions of the kitchen but can also delegate tasks to their staff in their absence. Our chef should have a large knowledge base of different cuisines and techniques that would be applicable to a five-star dining experience.
DUTIES:
Server/Bartender
Talented servers are excellent multitaskers, problem solvers, and handle stress with a can-do attitude and a smile. Our servers will have the opportunity to serve a variety of different foods, wines, and beers. They are expected to have a working knowledge of the items they are serving and how the tastes and flavors complement one another. Our chef assists in this area to help make sure our servers are prepared.
Our restaurant serves all three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At breakfast, we serve a hot breakfast menu. Lunch is more casual cuisine, and dinner is fine dining. We also service many events, especially weddings. These events can range in size from 10 to 175.
We have a few different serving shifts, they are as follows:
AM Server: Works breakfast and lunch and helps set up for daily events. Shifts between 6:45 AM and 4:00 PM, basic bartending experience desired. Part-time and full-time positions available.
PM Server: Works dinner and evening events. Shifts between 12:00 PM and 11:00 PM (sometimes later, depending on events); serving and bartending experience strongly preferred. Part time and full-time positions available.
We do not have a full time bartending position available as our servers double as the bartender. Most nights are not busy enough to have a fully devoted bartender, so instead we train our servers in as bartenders who can make their own drinks. During peak season, we will rotate servers to be scheduled as the bartender for dinner service.
DUTIES
Ensure guests are seated and served in a timely manner.
Ensure guests in Great Room lounge are served in a timely manner.
Exceed guests’ expectations with an exceptional dining experience.
Ensure the cleanliness of restaurant, bar, and Great Room areas, as well as back of house server areas.
Ensure work areas are stocked and ready for the next shift.
Ensure all paperwork associated with your shift is completed and turned in. Assist guests with inquiries regarding the restaurant and the property.
Fully knowledgeable with all food and beverage menus.
Assist with kitchen cleanliness, including washing dishes.
Qualifications:
Minimum 1 year work experience
Previous hospitality experience a plus
Ability to retain a working knowledge of food and beverages served onsite
Ability to multi-task
Ability to problem solve
Ability to handle stressful situations
Ability to carry large trays of food and beverages
Alcohol Server Training & Licensing (We can assist in obtaining)
Boat Driver
Boat drivers are our guests’ first point of contact when they arrive at the resort. These individuals serve as our front desk staff and bellhops for our guests. The primary responsibility of a boat driver at Stout’s Island Lodge is to drive guests to and from the island via boat, provide excellent customer service to our guests by getting them checked into their room, providing them a tour of the property and their room, and bringing their luggage and any other requested items to their room in a timely manner.
Our boat drivers are also responsible for some handyman duties on the premises, such as checking the levels of our LP tanks, delivering trash to the dumpsters on shore, cleaning gutters and exterior windows, collecting trash on trails and grounds, stacking wood for fireplaces, starting fires in common areas and for guests, lawn and garden maintenance, and light maintenance on our boats and golf carts. While these tasks are secondary to providing excellent service to our guests, they are also very important and contribute to our guests’ overall experience. Therefore, any qualified candidate will be able to perform these tasks with little to no direct supervision.
Boat driver is a vague title for a reason. There are many miscellaneous tasks that a boat driver may be asked to perform on an irregular basis. Most of these tasks will involve moving objects (large and small) from place to place. Ultimately, there will be few things that are not in a boat driver’s “typical” job description that (s)he may be asked to do for events, for guests, and for managers and other staff members. The ability to judge which tasks should be prioritized is an important skill that a qualified candidate will have.
As the title implies, this position requires the ability to pilot several types of water craft—primarily pontoons. For insurance purposes, all employees that drive the company watercraft must have completed their boat safety course and be able to provide proof of completion before being scheduled for their first shift.
CREDENTIALS AND EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or GED preferred.
Previous hotel experience preferred.
Previous customer serviced experience required.
Maintenance experience preferred.
Boat Safety course-provided by company if not already completed
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to stand 2/3 of workday.
Ability to walk 2/3 of workday.
Ability to lift 50 pounds
Ability to climb stairs and walk rugged terrain
Ability to work outdoors
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Able to pilot watercraft
Ability to work weekends
Ability to learn the unique aspects of Stout’s and sell rooms to our guests.
Ability to work with or without supervision
Excellent verbal and written communications
Cheerful attitude and willing to go the extra mile Flexible and like a variety of work
Fluent in English.
Excellent interpersonal skills required.
Must maintain a professional, neat, clean appearance and practice good personal hygiene.
Construction, carpentry, roofing, lawn care, and/or small engine repair experience desirable
DUTIES:
Dish Washer
The dishwasher is the most important job in the kitchen. We rely on the help our dishwasher to ensure proper sanitization and cleanliness.
The dishwasher will primarily be responsible for but not limited to:
Requirements:
Sous Chef
Stouts Island Lodge has a Chef Driven Kitchen and this position requires multiple years of kitchen experience, is a strong line cook, and has the ability to adapt to the needs of our guests. We cook all of our food from scratch and this entails each cook to be able to prepare their station for service.
The sous chef will be responsible for:
Line Cook
This position will prequire the ability to cook breakfast , lunch, and dinner menus. Line cooks will also assist with prep and execution of events. We would like to see at least one year of cooking experience.
Other Requirements:
Restaurant Manager
JOB OVERVIEW
Restaurant managers at Stout's Island Lodge play a critical part in ensuring our guests have an unforgettable experience that makes them want to come back year after year. The ideal candidate can motivate and encourage staff while also creating a productive and efficient work environment. This position will require someone with great leadership skills to create checks and balances among staff, ensure that all necessary tasks are completed, and the capability to work in a fast-paced atmosphere.
The restaurant at Stout's Island not only serves guests who are lodging on the island, but guests who come from neighboring towns to experience the relaxing and unique ambiance of a private island resort. As the restaurant manager, it is your responsibility to create this elevated atmosphere by effectively training serving staff to a high standard and holding that standard for quality control of the kitchen as well.
Our restaurant is reservation only for both lunch and dinner service, but breakfast is a continental buffet. Every meal service needs to have the same attention to detail to establish quality standards at all times of the day. In addition to the restaurant, our bar is also the responsibility of the servers and restaurant manager. The bar is not your typical bar and serves a low volume of guests throughout the day. During dinner service, our servers also double as bartenders and make the drinks for their own tables, so it is essential that they are trained to service the bar as well.
You will also help to manage staff and work alongside our event coordinator during weekday corporate retreats and weekend wedding events.
Must be comfortable with working closing shifts and closing events on weekend.
CREDENTIALS AND EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or GED required.
Previous restaurant experience required.
Previous managment experience required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
People Management and Coaching, Multi-tasking
Hospitality Service
Product Knowledge (restaurant and bar menus, resort rooms and ammenities)
Excellent verbal and written communications
Problem Solving, Flexible and like a variety of work
Conflict resolution
Must maintain a professional, neat, clean appearance and practice good personal hygiene.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to stand or be on feet for majority of shifts.
Ability to carry at least 25 lbs.
Ability to use POS systems.
DUTIES:
Housekeeper
JOB OVERVIEW
Our housekeepers take pride in the cleanliness of all parts of our resort from guest rooms to common areas, both inside buildings and outside buildings. Excellent housekeepers possess an excellent attention to detail—catching even the smallest cobweb in the most unseen locations. Housekeepers are responsible not only for cleanliness and order of the rooms and common areas, but also ensure that all amenities promised in each room are present and in working order.
Skilled housekeepers are capable of changing sheets on beds, scrubbing, dusting, moping, sweeping, etc. as well as moving from room to room across a 16-acre island. Typical shifts for this position are six to eight hours between 7 AM and 8 PM.
Housekeepers must also be very personable when interacting with guests and be able to anticipate their needs.
CREDENTIALS AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum 1 year of work experience preferred
Previous hotel experience a plus
Previous housekeeping/cleaning experience a plus
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to stand 2/3 of workday.
Ability to walk 2/3 of workday. Ability to talk and hear. Ability to lift 25 pounds
Ability to work outdoors-in all types of weather
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Detail-oriented
Customer-service oriented
Ability to work weekends
Ability to climb stairs and walk rugged terrain
Ability to work with or without supervision
Excellent verbal and written communications
Cheerful attitude and willing to go the extra mile
Flexible and like a variety of work
Excellent interpersonal skills required.
Must maintain a professional, neat, clean appearance and practice good personal hygiene.
DUTIES
Ensuring cleanliness of guest rooms per Stout’s Island Lodge standards.
Ensuring cleanliness of common areas (inside & outside) per Stout’s Island Lodge standards.
Ensure cleanliness of Shore House waiting area
Ensure all amenities promised to each guest are in working order.
Ensure laundry is completed, folded, and stocked for the beginning of each shift
Miscellaneous tasks as assigned.
How to Apply
Resumes can be emailed to events@stoutsislandlodge.com
Applications can be submitted through our website via the Apply link below.
Contact Info
- Thanh Hoang
- thoang@cwcos.com
- (651) 332-4532
- www.stoutsislandlodge.com
