Job Description:
As the Relief Housekeeper/Chef, you will work as the Lodge Chef when the fulltime chef has their days off, and the Lodge Housekeeper when the fulltime housekeeper has their days off. While housekeeping, you will have responsibility for the cleanliness of the lodge, and the comfort of the guests while at the lodge. While cooking, you will be cooking for up to 10 guests and 5-8 staff. The quality of food at Great Bear Lodge is characterized as ‘wilderness gourmet’ and is an essential part of the experience. In addition to being passionate about preparing great food, you will also need excellent time management skills. These positions offer a unique opportunity gain customer service skills in the area of ecotourism while living in an amazing wilderness setting.
Your housekeeping duties would include:
• All house-keeping duties for the lodge, including changing rooms on guests departure.
• Cooking meals for guests and staff when the Lodge Chef has days off.
• Training and supervising volunteer housekeepers.
• Acting as a welcoming host to the guests when they take breaks from wildlife viewing, for example by providing warm drinks/snacks and by interacting with the guests.
• Occasional general maintenance of the lodge such as painting and gardening.
• Maintaining communication with guides while they are in the field.
Your chef duties would include:
• Preparing and serving delicious and well-presented lunches, snacks and dinners for up to 10 guests.
• Preparing nutritious lunches and dinners for 5-8 staff.
• Kitchen clean-up and management of food storage areas.
• Ordering food and supplies and maintaining inventory.
We are a small team and occasionally you may be called upon to assist with other tasks that are outside of your job description.
Minimum Position requirements:
1. Strong interpersonal skills, clean professional appearance
2. Driven to provide excellent customer service and exceed customer expectations on a daily basis.
3. Ability to work cheerfully and independently in a remote lodge for long periods of time, working and living very closely with other staff members and guests.
Highly Desirable additional qualifications:
1. Working verbal ability in any of the following languages: German, Italian, French, Spanish, or Japanese. (In order of importance)
2. FOODSAFE certification, or other certification for food handling.
3. First Aid training.
Additionally Successful Candidates will:
1. Be self-starters with a strong work ethic.
2. Be independent and respectful of other staff work obligations and personal space.
3. Savor life in a remote wilderness setting with limited access to communication or traditional social life.
Background:
Great Bear Nature Tours (http://www.greatbeartours.com) has been providing quality wildlife viewing experiences with a strong emphasis on natural history interpretation and minimum ecological impact since 1999. We are fortunate to live and work in a beautiful ecosystem and our goal is to share this special place with guests from all over the world in a sustainable manner. The wildlife call this place home, we are merely guests in their valley.
Details:
• Period of employment will run from May through October.
• The anticipated work schedule is 8 days working at the lodge, 6 days off in “town”. However this may change during season as needs dictate. Room and board provided at the lodge, as is transportation to and from Port Hardy (from the lodge).
• Port Hardy is the town, which is small by most standards, and 3 hours north of Campbell River.
• You will be sharing a room in the staff bunkhouse.
• We work in a rainforest. It can rain daily for two weeks. It can also be sunny for two weeks.
• This is a relatively small floating facility, which feels like living on a large boat.
Application Procedure:
Please email a cover letter and resume with 3 references. At least 2 of them should be work related and all must have both e-mail addresses and contact phone numbers. Email materials to Marg Leehane or Adele de Wit at info@greatbeartours.com. All emails will be acknowledged and selected applicants will be contacted by email and phone for interviews by phone or in person.
