Camp Denali is a small, family-owned and operated wilderness lodge located in the heart of Denali National Park. For the coming season, we are looking for staff who are able to be in Alaska from May 21 through September 13, 2024. We currently operate as a fly-in lodge. Staff live onsite and free room and board are provided.

Camp Denali's mission is "to provide active learning experiences and foster stewardship of the natural world through a tradition of excellence, community and place."  

WORKING AT CAMP DENALI

Our remote location and commitment to stewardship require us to be a resourceful team. More often than not, we bake it, sew it, build it, fix it, grow it, and recycle it. 

One of the main reasons staff are drawn to Camp Denali is for the intentional community aspect of the experience. We call the lodge home for four months of the year, and we live in shared cabins with other staff and use common spaces that are shared with guests. The season is marked by hard work, but it's collaborative and it brings us together and working towards a shared objective. The exceptional experience we offer guests is the first and most important thread we have in common each season, but we find time amidst the long workdays to play games, swim, watch movies, hike, make music, and so much more.

Working with Camp Denali is an opportunity to connect with coworkers of all ages and backgrounds. We fill-in for one another when we're sick, lend a hand to coworkers who are having a bad day, and share and teach our hobbies and talents, like carpentry, knitting, sewing, and dancing.

Our 30 staff members work 9-12 hours per day, five days a week to provide excellent service for our guests. Attention to the details of cleanliness and presentation are of paramount importance. 

In our section of Denali National Park, there are no restaurants, movie theaters, stores, or bars. There is no cell phone service, but we do have moderately reliable wifi in common spaces. 

Pay is $22.00 per hour / $33.00 per OT hour / $225.50 per 9.5-hour day. Room and professionally prepared meals are provided at no cost. A travel stipend is paid upon completion of a full season. Gratuities are pooled and divided equally among all staff, amounting to approximately $500/person/month.

The dinner cook prepares dinner for approximately 25 guests (plated and served from the kitchen) and an earlier seating (buffet) for 30 staff. Single choice dinner entrées include a meat or fish entrée and a vegetarian option, as well as vegetable and starch side dishes. Staff meals are created from the same guest product (or different product) but with creative approaches since staff members spend the entire summer on location. The dinner cook is a team leader, responsible for delegating tasks and creating an effective team atmosphere, and supervising an assistant cook and kitchen helper. Additionally, the dinner cook is responsible for maintaining a clean and organized workspace, sharing workspace with other cooks, doing their own dishwashing, and for ensuring overall kitchen organization and cleanliness during the shift.

The job requires the creation of premium quality products made from basic ingredients, without dependence on pre-made, commercial mixes. Experience and demonstrated ability with volume production, portion control, plating and garnishing, meat fabrication, vegetarian cooking, organization, and time and space management are also necessary. This position is appropriate for someone with a well-developed palate and an artistic eye for presentation. To achieve success in this position, a dinner cook must demonstrate aptitude and willingness to patiently mentor and to guide others in a team-oriented environment, as well as being open and comfortable receiving feedback and guidance. Must be able to effectively communicate concerns and proposed solutions to the Executive Chef, as needed.  

Other Requirements

• A solid educational and experiential background in food preparation and service. At least two years of fine dining cooking experience is required.
• Bring a genuine desire to live and work in a remote, self-sufficient, small community setting.
• All staff are required to have a current Alaska Food Worker card (online, on-demand, valid for three years).