Support Staff/Housekeeping

Tower Rock Lodge

PLEASE SEE TWO JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR TWO OPEN POSITIONS: ONE OPEN POSITION IS CHEF AND BREAKFAST COOK, ONE IS HOUSEKEEPING/KITCHEN SUPPORT. 

Kitchen staff

Job Description / Requirements

 

Tower Rock Lodge is a road accessible fishing lodge located on the Kenai River in Kenai, Alaska. We specialize in fishing packages--meals, fish processing, equipment, guided fishing, and lodging all included in one price. The lodge is particularly known for its excellent food, return staff, and company culture. We provide guest dinners with appetizers, salad, main course and desert. The guests start each day with a hearty pre-determined breakfast (rotation) depending on the days schedule ranging from 6:15 AM to 8:00 AM. For some guests fishing near the lodge, hot lunches are served at 12:00 noon. For those fishing at off-site locations, lunches are made the night before and sent out with the anglers that morning. 

COOKING RESPONSIBILITIES:

-Guest and crew breakfast preparation (only crew that have guide trips on that day) ranging from 6 AM to 8 AM.

-Lunch service at lodge when applicable (somedays guests do not fish near the lodge)

-Appetizer preparation and service (5:30 PM).

-Dinner preparation. Served at 6:30 or 7. 

-Supplies Shopping and ordering food through our delivery services.  

Note: Unlike other fishing lodges, our crew does not eat dinner with the lodge guests, thus the kitchen staff is not responsible for preparing crew dinner (though leftovers are always welcomed :)

All meals are on a rotating menu which minimizes burnout throughout the season. We are always open to creative explorations when it comes to appetizers. 

Breakfast example: Biscuits and Gravy, French Toast, Huevos rancheros, American Breakfast.

Dinner rotating protein examples: pork/beef, halibut, salmon, seafood pasta, salmon (a different way), BBQ. 

 

ROOM & BOARD: Included as part of your salary. (This does not include personal items, toiletries, medicines, etc.) Your only living expenses while at the lodge will be personal items.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS: While at the lodge, a private room with shared bathroom. We provide linens, pillows, and towels. 

 

DRESS STANDARDS Our employees will be required to maintain good grooming standards. We are looking for healthy, outdoor friendly and presentable staff members.

For example, no ripped jeans, sweatpants or clothes with paint on them. Much of our long time staff wear jeans, or carhartt pants, boots, with TRL hoodie/shirt or flannel. 

 

DAYS OFF: 

Seasonal work in Alaska is demanding. There will be guests present everyday from June 1 to September 15th. The number of guests can vary from 4 to 28 however. During these slow periods we will give employees days off; at busy times having a morning or evening off is far more likely than the entire day. Do not expect to have an entire week off during the season. With that said, the kitchen position unlike the other lodge positions allow for efficiencies that will allow you to maximize your amount of free time. For example, pre making soups that are frozen in portions will save you time when preparing a hot lunch. Made ahead breakfast dishes will save you time in the morning. Planning for the week ahead and keeping organized shopping lists and order forms through our purveyors will allow you to minimize shopping in town. Kitchen positions are salary thus we encourage employees to work efficiently allowing them more free time and to enjoy all that Alaska has to offer. The ball is in your court as far a time management. We of course encourage our kitchen staff to join the guides on fishing excursions when time allows. Fishing behind the lodge is excellent at times and can make for a great break when you have a couple hours free.

 

DATES OF EMPLOYMENT: Be available for the entire season from approximately early -June through mid-September. Actual dates will be determined from performance and guest bookings. 

 

TRANSPORTATION: We will provide transportation from Seattle to Tower Rock Lodge. Lodge vehicle will also be available for shopping, running into town. 

EXPECTATIONS: Because we are in a semi-remote location and our staff is housed on the premises, the environment is very much like being on a ship. It is vital that our kitchen staff is secure, friendly and teamwork oriented. It is key that our employees get along with others well, both guests and staff. We need an individual who is healthy and highly dependable. Our Chef and his/her Assistant have a high guest exposure position. This position calls for an individual who is professional and presentable.

 

The kitchen staff position is a difficult yet challenging one. Split shifts combined with a 15 week season require a self-starter who is dedicated and remains focused on the job.

 

Tower Rock Lodge is a world-renowned fishing lodge. Every aspect of our operation is of a professional nature, especially our cuisine. We take pride in our ability to provide high food service. Our Chef and his/her staff play an extremely important role in our operation. The weather might not be perfect, or the fishing off for a day but the food must always be spectacular, with no excuses and no exceptions.

 

We are looking for someone who has a sound background in the food service industry. Formal training at a culinary school is preferred, but not necessarily required. The Assistant Chef will work closely with the Executive Chef to achieve the goal of a superior dining experience.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL: Our lodge is not a good environment for those that struggle with drug or alcohol abuse. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while working will not be accepted. 

 

Pay depends on whether there are one or two people in the kitchen, experience. $6000/month+tips for one person. $5500 for chef, $4000 for sous chef. 

 

This is a great opportunity to see Alaska, catch some fish, make some money and potentially work with one of your buddies or perhaps make a new one. While no one is "getting rich" while working at a fishing lodge, we have a great time, make a lot of memories each year. Almost like adult summer camp, but getting paid. With that said, we also take it very seriously and guest satisfaction is of utmost importance. 

 

 

We are currently seeking individuals for support staff and housekeeping and chef. These responsibilities could be split amongst the two individuals or the two could work together. This is a salaried position and we are very competitive with compensation when it comes to Alaska seasonal work. Despite our somewhat rural location we are tied into the grid with two towns nearby, minimizing "cabin fever," a common issue with Alaska seasonal work. We promote a fun, laid back atmosphere and dislike micro-managing. There will be ample opportunities to partake in excursions from salmon and halibut fishing to flyouts, hiking, and all the other things Alaska offers. 

Tower Rock Lodge - Housekeeping / Kitchen Support

Job Description / Requirements
Tower Rock Lodge is a road accessible fishing lodge located on the Kenai River between Soldotna and Kenai, Alaska. We specialize in fishing packages--meals, fish processing, equipment, guided fishing, and lodging all included in one price. The lodge is particularly known for its excellent food, return staff, and laid back atmosphere. Guests parktake in guided fishing everyday during their stay with the exception of the arrival and departure days. We provide guests with housekeeping every morning which should occur between the hours of 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Guests eat breakfast anywhere from 5:15 AM to 8:00 AM, lunch at noon, and dinner at 7 PM, therefore housekeeping occurs between breakfast and lunch. The housekeeper position is also responsible for assisting with lunch or dinner on given days. We have a very short and dense season. It is very important that this position is filled by someone that is dependable and lives a relatively drama free life. End of the season bonus available for those who execute a job well done. 

HOUSEKEEPING RESPONSIBILITIES 

Work time will be 60% housekeeping and 40% dining hall support (serving, clearing tables, refilling glasses). These portions are up for negotiation and compensation will reflect what is worked out. 

We have four cabins (sleeps 4), a main lodge (sleeps 8 max), and another building that sleeps 6. 

Typical Day Schedule:

8:00 AM to 10:00 Daily Housekeeping

Noon to 1:30: Assist with hot lunch at lodge when applicable. 

5:30 PM to 8:30 PM: Assist with dinner serving, clean up and next day lunches. 

**Turn days might require additional housekeeping and some days will not require lunch assistance**

Daily Schedule: 

The “daily schedule” is a crucial component to the daily logistics of the lodge. The following days schedule is emailed to every employee, posted on t.v. monitor in the dining hall, posted in the kitchen. It describes breakfast times, departure times, number of sandwiches, number of hot lunches, destinations, guides working and other pertinent information for guests. 

Dress Standards – Our employees will be required to maintain good grooming standards. We are looking for healthy, outdoor friendly and presentable staff members.

Breakfast is served between 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Hot lunches at the lodge are always served at 12:00 noon. Hot lunches are relatively brief-- soup and hot sandwich, cheeseburger with potato salad, chili over baked potato and cornbread are some examples. Hors d’oeuvres are served around 6:30 with Dinner served at 7:00. In between breakfast and lunch is when shopping and dinner prep takes place. During this shift you will assist or prepare dinner, help prep guest salads, and assist with dinner plate service and presentation. 

Breakfast:  Similar to dinner, breakfast is a rotating menu. Items include french toast with sausage, scrambled eggs with bacon and english muffin, pancakes and bacon, biscuit and gravy. All breakfast items include a side of scrambled eggs and fruit garnish. This may include a made ahead dish such as smoked salmon quiche or breakfast burritos. There is a breakfast bar with hot and cold cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt and muffins or scone choice.  Early morning “halibut breakfasts” are continental style platter and are prepared the night before and served by kitchen staff or “day off” crew member. 

Lunch: Each day the guests either fish near the lodge or elsewhere--flyouts, Kasilof River, Halibut. When not fishing near the lodge, lunches are prepared the night before by kitchen support staff. The guests are given sandwiches served with sides and snacks, or a shore lunch of fresh salmon, which is prepared by their guide. Typically these lunches are made by the kitchen support staff while guests eat dinner. A rotation on sandwich type is preferred such as: turkey on croissant with provolone and lettuce, hoagie with roast beef and cheddar, focaccia BBQ pork. Condiment packets are included with the sandwich as well as chips, cookies, bottled water, and soft drinks. On many trips a guide will prepare a shore lunch which is packed the night before. 

Dinners:  Dinner is also on a rotating item. We generally feature a salad, protein and dessert.  Some example combinations are pecan-encrusted halibut, new york strip, fresh pasta with seafood, pork loin, grilled/baked salmon. One night a week we have smoked BBQ catered leaving the kitchen staff only having to plate and clean up--somewhat of a day off. Given the return of our Thai staff, we will also feature a “Thai night” once a week. This again allows the primary kitchen staff a night off. Some examples of appetizers are cheese and smoked meat plate, house smoked salmon, and crudités with a dip. Deserts can be anything from a birthday cake if there a guest birthday celebration, cheesecake, hot brownies with ice cream, apple pie with ice cream, and finish the night off with s’mores by the campfire. 

There are approximately 15 crew in camp at any given time. The kitchen crew is only responsible for preparing breakfast and lunch for guides that are working on that particular day. While guest dinner leftovers are always welcome in the staff area, we do not require that kitchen staff prepare dinner meals for crewmembers. Guide staff are provided a general food allowance in which they can prepare their own meals. 

SALARY:  $2,250 to $ 3,500 (DOE and responsibilities) per month plus a $500 bonus in July for good performance. Gratuities also included. Kitchen tips are split, housekeeping tips are split based on shifts worked that week. 

ROOM & BOARD:  Included as part of your salary.  (This does not include personal items, toiletries, medicines, etc.)  Your only living expenses while at the lodge will be personal items.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  While at the lodge, a private room with shared bathroom. Laundry service with cleaning and folding are provided along with bedding and towels.

DAYS OFF: Seasonal work in Alaska is demanding. There will be guests present everyday from June 10th to September 15th. The number of guests can vary from 4 to 30. During these slow periods we will give employees days off; at busy times having a morning or evening off is far more likely than the entire day. Do not expect to have an entire week off during the season. With that said, the kitchen/HK position unlike the other lodge positions allow for efficiencies that will allow you to maximize your amount of free time. Planning for the week ahead and keeping organized shopping lists and order forms through our purveyors will allow you to minimize shopping in town. Housekeeping positions are salary thus we encourage employees to work efficiently allowing them more free time and to enjoy all that Alaska has to offer. The ball is in your court as far a time management. We of course encourage our kitchen staff to join the guides on fishing excursions when time allows. Fishing behind the lodge is excellent at times and can make for a great break when you have a couple hours free. 

INFRACTIONS: A failure to execute your responsibilities, lack of preparedness or other inappropriate behavior would result in an infraction. An example of an infraction could include the following: running out of eggs in the middle of serving breakfast (lack of preparedness), meals repeatedly served late, repeated errors in box lunches, “missing the bell,” comments from guests that you acted inappropriately, working under the influence of alcohol or other drugs that affect work performance. When an infraction occurs, the manager will fill out an infraction form, it will be signed by the employee that committed the infraction and placed in their file. Multiple infractions could result in missing out on the July bonus to termination. 

TIPS: Kitchen tips are pooled together and divided amongst the kitchen crew equally. We encourage guests to tip in cash and not on credit cards. We provide guests with envelopes and they typically tip the kitchen at the end of their stay. If a guest tips you directly specifically stating the tip is for you, you keep it. However an envelope labeled “kitchen” will be split amongst the whole kitchen crew. Your interaction and attitude and with the guests as well as performance is what will likely determine your tip for the week. 

DATES OF EMPLOYMENT:  Be available for the entire season from approximately early -June through mid-September. Actual dates will be determined from performance and guest bookings. 

TRANSPORTATION:  We will provide a travel allowance from Seattle to Tower Rock Lodge. Lodge vehicles will also be available for shopping, running into town, or side trips.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Dogs, cats and other pets are not allowed.  We do not have the accommodations or the facilities to accommodate pets.