FEATURED JOB OPENING: Backcountry Caretaker (Couple) - Maine

About Maine Huts & Trails

Maine Huts & Trails is a nonprofit organization with a mission of conservation through recreation and economic development through nature-based tourism. Our goal is to preserve a recreational trail corridor in Maine’s Western Lakes and Mountains region. Upon completion, our system of trails, backcountry huts, and waterways will run 200 miles from the Mahoosuc  Range to Moosehead Lake. Our trails ensure perpetual public access to some of the most spectacular backcountry in Maine, and our off-the-grid huts provide ecotourism destinations that facilitate outdoor adventures and learning.

Maine Huts & Trails currently operates three backcountry huts accommodating up to 48 guests each, and 50 miles of trails open to the public free of charge, year round.  In the winter, trails are groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.  In the summer, hiking, mountain biking and paddling are possible.

Summary

The Grand Falls Hut caretakers oversee daily operations of the lodge to ensure high standards of customer service.  The caretakers are responsible for creating a welcoming environment and providing an exceptional guest experience. Responsibilities include catering and housekeeping for 32 guests daily, ordering and receiving supplies,  overseeing operation of green energy systems, and general maintenance of the lodge. This position is ideally suited to mature couples who are personable, effective problem-solvers, capable of maintaining high standards in an isolated environment. A hospitality background is beneficial.

Responsibilities

·         Customer service: respond to problems and special requests, gather guest feedback with the goal of continual improvement of guest services.

·         Cooking:  food preparation and clean-up duties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for up to 32 guests.

·         Housekeeping: perform daily facilities inspections to ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for visitors and crew.

·         Retail sales:  supervise timely and accurate reporting of retail sales records and inventories.

·         Operation and maintenance of facility: supervise operation and maintenance of solar array, propane generator, hydro generator, battery bank, wood boiler, and composting toilets, and ensure that accurate written records are kept. Work with the Huts Manager to determine maintenance priorities and coordinate service calls.

·         Provisioning:conduct scheduled inventories and orders of food, supplies and retail.

·         Stewardship:Implementing energy conservation and environmentally sound practices in daily operations. Educating guests to promote outdoor ethics.

·         Other related duties as required.

Qualifications

·         Prior experience in hospitality, food service, or facility maintenance.

·         Exceptional customer service skills and a friendly, outgoing manner.

·         Excellent communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

·         Ability to perform work with minimal supervision and to work well under pressure.

·         Enthusiasm for living in a remote wilderness setting. 

·         Interest in outdoor recreation, especially hiking, biking, paddling, skiing and snowshoeing

·         ServSafe certification or other food handling certificate preferred

·         CPR/First Aid certification desirable, Wilderness First Aid preferred

·         Physical abilities required: ability to stand, sit, bend at waist, lift and carry up to 50 pounds. All hut staff must be willing and able to ski or hike to the hut – there is no vehicle access.

·         Excellent spoken English

Dates

June 15^th – November 1^st, 2012. Priority will be given to qualified candidates able to work the full season.

Schedule

Hut staff work 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule is three weeks on, one week off.

Compensation and benefits

Hut staff are paid competitive bi-weekly salary. Room and board are included.

Seasonal staff benefits include free Maine Huts & Trails membership, free stays at Maine Huts & trails facilities for staff, family, and friends, pro discounts on outdoor gear, and free or discounted services at other local recreation businesses.