CoolWorks
1 / 25

Immerse Yourself in Nature on Fox Island

Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge

Current Job Openings

    Bartender

    Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge
    $13.00 / hour

    Provide beverage and meal service in a professional, safe and pleasant manner. Deliver excellent customer service, meeting the guests’ needs while following the guidelines of the establishment. Attend to multiple tasks in preparing facilities for daily operations. Main duties include guest interaction, bartending for Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge and Day Lodge guests. Create specialty craft cocktail menus and assist with selection and ordering of alcohol. Maintaining cleanliness of dining room, lounge and bar area. Responsible for training servers on how to properly create craft cocktails. This position will occasionally help with serving duties and island special events as needed.

    • Provide excellent customer service to guests and other team members
    • Make sound judgments and anticipate issues and opportunities
    • Handle comments, complaints and concern, with a high level of efficiency and in the best interest of the guest
    • Work closely with all other departments to ensure overall guest satisfaction
    • Be knowledgeable of daily functions or activities occurring at the Lodge and in area to answer guests’ questions
    • Familiarize guests with local activities and lodge services including safety procedures
    • Follow proper pouring guidelines
    • Take daily/weekly inventory of all alcohol
    • Prepare wood burning fires in lounge and dinning room as needed
    • Prepare wood burning sauna as requested by guests
    • Prepare firepit as requested by guests
    • Ensure Day Lodge bar area is clean, stocked and is service ready for large groups, twice daily
    • Keep work areas clean, neat, and organized
    • Attend staff meetings and safety meetings
    • Inform Supervisor of any additional needs to carry out duties
    • Ensure proper glassware is clean, shined and ready for service
    • Report any safety issues immediately to Supervisor
    • Conduct food and beverage service including setting and preparing the wilderness lodge dining room, setting and cleaning the lounge and bar area
    • Participate in island cleaning routines to include cleaning guest cabins, clearing tables, washing dishes, tending to trash, sweeping, washing windows and cleaning restrooms as needed
    • Participate in the provisioning of the island to include loading/unloading supply vessels and conducting inventories
    • Arrive to work on time, ready to work, dressed in clean uniform, with a neat and clean appearance
    • Participate in emergency response activities including firefighting, emergency medical activities (within an employee’s training limitations) and other incidents
    • Other duties as assigned

    Apply Now!

    F&B

    Executive Chef

    Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge
    $66,000.00 / year

    The Executive Chef coordinates activities and directs training of Sous Chefs, Line Cooks and other kitchen staff who engage in preparing and cooking food to ensure an efficient and profitable food service. This role is responsible for the hiring, training, direction and management of kitchen and warehouse staff by developing, implementing and maintaining associated programs as well as the planning and implementation of menus.

    • Oversee preparations for the seasonal opening and closing of the Lodge’s kitchens
    • Develop, implement and maintain standards for nutrition, sanitation and food preparation standards for the kitchens
    • Oversee training programs for the Lodge’s kitchen staff are developed, maintained and regularly practiced with an emphasis on safety, product quality, food production and cleanliness
    • Oversee warehouse ordering, requisitions, stocking and receiving
    • Maintain reporting and inventory system (current system is “C-Tuit”)
    • Process, code, and organize all food invoices for monthly tracking
    • Estimate food consumption and determine food costs and relevant pricing
    • Create, develop and analyze recipes for special dishes
    • Purchase or requisition food and kitchen supplies
    • Perform other duties as appropriate and as assigned

    Apply Now!

    *We accept applicants through the J1 program. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept H2B visas at this time.

    F&B

    Line Cook

    Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge
    $17.00 - $21.00 / hour

    Safety, anticipating guest needs, honoring our surroundings, and bringing your best every day are the core values we live by in order to provide dynamic guest service provided in all Fox Island facilities. As a Cook, you will coordinate activities and engage in preparing and cooking food served to the Day Lodge guests. You will ensure guests receive consistent high quality meals and overall dining experience. You will work with team members within your department and others to complete the following tasks:

    • Prepare buffet meal for guests following recipes and direction from Chef
    • Provide excellent service to both guests and team members
    • Ensure all guests’ special needs are met, including dietary restrictions
    • Estimate food consumption and purchases or requisitions food and kitchen supplies
    • Ensure efficiency and timely food production and safety
    • Participate in the provisioning of the island to include loading and unloading of supply vessels, conducting inventories and properly and safely storing items

    Cook I Apply Now!

    Cook II Apply Now!

    *We accept applicants through the J1 program. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept H2B visas at this time.

    Operations Manager

    Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge
    $25.00 / hour

    Responsible for assisting the General Manager of the lodge with management and daily operation of all the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge and Day Lodge facilities, including efficient operation of housekeeping, food and beverage operations and gift shop operations. Responsible for scheduling, training, coaching and disciplining the guest service agents and submitting time sheets weekly. Responsible for safe and efficient food and beverage operations; training of all food and beverage department personnel and labor cost control, and producing a consistently high quality dining experience according to lodge standards. Attend staff meetings, safety briefings daily

    Apply Now!

    *We accept applicants through the J1 program. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept H2B visas at this time.

    View 1 more job opening
    F&B

    Server

    Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge
    $11.73 / hour + tips

    Attend to multiple tasks in preparing facilities for daily operations. Main duties include guest interaction, serving three meals a day to overnight guests, maintaining cleanliness of dining room and lounge, food and beverage service, including morning coffee service, preparing service cutlery and general maintenance of the facilities

    • Provide excellent customer service to guests and other team members
    • Make sound judgments and anticipate issues and opportunities
    • Handle comments, complaints and concern, with a high level of efficiency and in the best interest of the guest
    • Work closely with all other departments to ensure overall guest satisfaction
    • Ensure that guests’ special needs are met, including dietary restrictions, and the information is communicated to the Chef immediately
    • Greet arriving/departing guests in a professional and pleasant manner
    • Be knowledgeable of daily functions or activities occurring at the Lodge and in area to answer guests’ questions
    • Familiarize guests with local activities and lodge services including safety procedures
    • Prepare wood burning fires in lounge and dinning room as needed
    • Prepare wood burning sauna as requested by guests
    • Prepare firepit as requested by guests
    • Works closely and facilitates information to the Chefs and kitchen crew to assure that guest needs and information are communicated effectively
    • Keep work areas clean, neat, and organized
    • Attend staff meetings and safety meetings
    • Inform Supervisor of any additional needs to carry out duties
    • Ensure that all guests’ luggage is safely stored and transported to/from assigned destination. Assist with any lost, missing, “no name”, etc. luggage
    • Correctly tag bags upon guest arrival at the Adventure Center, ensure bags get on the proper boat and that you escort the guests at time of departure
    • Communicate to the Front Desk in the KFT lobby if any guest issues arise or if a Wilderness Lodge guest does not show up for their scheduled departure
    • Report any safety issues immediately to Supervisor
    • Pass on any important information to the KFT Front Desk and to the KFWL manager on duty or wilderness lodge kitchen
    • Continuously interact with guests regarding safety practices and island information
    • Conduct food and beverage service including setting and preparing the wilderness lodge dining room, setting and cleaning the lounge, serving guests and cleaning the wilderness lodge lounge, bathroom, and dining rooms after each meal
    • Participate in island cleaning routines to include cleaning guest cabins, clearing tables, washing dishes, tending to trash, sweeping, washing windows and cleaning restrooms as needed
    • Participate in the provisioning of the island to include loading/unloading supply vessels, conducting inventories, and properly storing items from food to guest luggage
    • Arrive to work on time, ready to work, dressed in clean uniform, with a neat and clean appearance
    • Participate in emergency response activities including firefighting, emergency medical activities (within an employee’s training limitations) and other incidents
    • Other duties as assigned

    Apply Now!

    *We accept applicants through the J1 program. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept H2B visas at this time.

About Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge

As a Pursuit team, we have a powerful story to tell. We host guests in classic Alaskan lodges, nourish weary adventurers with locally-sourced offerings and take our guests beyond on immersive tours. We are the compass of adventure - welcoming guests to our backyard and sharing the little-known local secrets of these iconic places. Join our team for a summer you’ll never forget!
Remote island, 45 minutes by boat outside of idyllic Seward, Alaska.
More about Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge

***2024 Summer jobs will be posted November, 1st. We look forward to your application!***

//FREE HOUSING//

/ Competitive perks + wages / Referral + end-of-season bonus available/ Access to iconic National Park experiences / Fun staff events + parties / Free access to cool attractions + experiences / Training to help your career grow / 

Have you dreamed of exploring the great Alaskan wilderness or spending the summer on a secluded island, just within reach of a quintessential Alaskan town? Does spending your summer at the doorstep of adventure have a certain appeal?  If your answer is yes, then you belong on Fox Island for the ultimate seasonal work experience.

At the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island, we welcome guests to a place that is a world away from the ordinary. Our lodge consists of eight guest cabins cradled on the picturesque shores of Halibut Cove and a cozy main lodge that looks out over the water. We’re also the much-anticipated lunch point for guests of Kenai Fjords Tours, who visit us daily for a buffet meal and storytelling time at the Day Lodge.

Our hiring needs range from chefs and servers, to maintenance and management, and everything in between. If you have a background in food and beverage, hospitality, maintenance, hotel management, natural science, or recreation, we would love to hear from you!

Your summer adventure on Fox Island begins with a 45-minute boat ride out of historic Seward into the heart of coastal Alaska. When you arrive at Fox Island, mist-covered pebble beaches and crystal-clear waters welcome you, offering inspiring views of gorgeous Halibut Cove, where sea lions and whales occasionally make surprise visits.

Secluded and rustic, this is a place to truly unplug and unwind. Our location is remote, with the nearest community of Seward a 12-mile boat ride (45 minutes) away. Our team of about 25 people handles all the operations of our eight guest cabins and two dining rooms. Our Day Lodge buffet facility can seat 300 guests at one time and is the largest piece of our operation.

Our property sits on a ¼ mile stretch of beach in the heart of the true Alaskan wilderness.  We are completely “off the grid” which means that we operate off of our own power system, water, and waste system.  We expect that our employees support our eco-friendly environment and help us conserve energy and resources as much as possible. Outside of the portion of the island owned by the Alaska Collection, the rest of the land is uninhabited and is an authentic wilderness refuge for our staff and guests to explore. Our 2024 season will run from late May through early September. 

Working Here

The Employee Experience

Our core values are:

  • Safety First
  • Honor Place
  • Anticipate
  • Bring Your Best

You will be exposed to both land-based and marine wildlife, 20 hours of sunshine, glaciers, and mountains everywhere you look. You'll tell stories and make friends that will last a lifetime. Our team is really a family of hard-working, dedicated people who bring their best and want something unique and inspiring. This is no ordinary 9-5 job. This is an adventure. 

COVID-19: Safety first is our number one core value. We strive to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our guests and staff. Pursuit follows all CDC guidelines and practices social distancing and other CDC protocols. We strongly encourage all staff to get vaccinated prior to arrival.

Ideal Candidate

What kind of adventurer thrives on Fox Island? Our ideal candidate is someone who wants to truly experience all that Alaska has to offer and believes in what we do, striving to create unforgettable experiences for our guests. Every single role on our team is essential, and we’re selective to ensure our employees and our guests have the best experience possible. Our happiest employees are those who step in where needed and can bring their best, always ready to share their adventurous and generous spirit. 

If you sincerely enjoy working with people and want to contribute to an amazing guest experience, while having an unforgettable and unique experience of your own, then we want you to work with us. The interaction between our employees and our guests is extensive, providing a relationship that is much more personal than at a large hotel.

Employee Perks

Discounts are available at all of our Alaska Collection properties and experiences when space is available. There are many other discounts available on activities in the area and throughout the state.

Living Here

Room and Board

Housing at this location are offered Free of Charge to employees. Fox Island team members live on the Island where room and board is included. All of our housing is shared, including common areas, with shared cleaning duties. The Crew Housing on Fox Island was renovated in 2013 and offers all the basic necessities including wireless internet. There is a large common area with TV, movies, a full-size kitchen with a stove and refrigerator, five large shared bedrooms (separated into male and female shared rooms) and shared bathrooms/showers. There are no laundry facilities located on the island.

The Crew Housing in Seward is shared hostel-style accommodation with four rooms (two bunk beds in each room) for our team members.  It is located upstairs from our main warehouse, about a 10-minute walk from the Seward Harbor. You will be assigned a unit with several others (either in a male and female room) and rotate out of the room for your days off. There is a common lounge and kitchen area, free laundry facilities, WiFi and two shared bathrooms. The Seward accommodation is centrally located and within walking distance to all major businesses.

 

Housing Guidelines

Housing is a community experience, and we all follow guidelines to help ensure a quality, peaceful living experience for everyone. This includes keeping your space clean and actively participating in shared cleaning duties. We’re big on respecting each other, and all team members agree to housing policies before moving in. Policies include keeping our accommodation a smoke-free, drug-free environment, and respecting quiet time between 10 pm – 8 am as our team works variable shifts.

Getting Here and Getting Around

Alaska is a long way from most places, and that’s what we love about it! Getting here is all part of the adventure and traveling around Alaska, even in remote places, is generally a smooth process.

Travel from Anchorage to Seward

  • Flights – Ted Stevens International Airport is the closest commercial airport, located in Anchorage. Seward is about a three-hour drive south of Anchorage.
  • Driving- It takes approximately three hours to drive south from Anchorage to Seward along the Seward Highway, designated a Scenic Byway. Train - Rail travel is available beginning in mid-May.
  • Pre-Season Service - Between late March through mid-May there is limited, transportation from Anchorage to Seward with Kenai Fjords Tours. Bookings are required and should be made 48-hours in advance, more detailed information will be provided in your hire packet.
  • Shuttle Bus - Travel is available to Seward year-round via Seward Bus Line 907-224-3608. They will provide a drop off at Kenai Fjords Tours on request and pick up from the airport.
  • Coach Service - The Park Connection offers two daily departures (beginning in mid-May through mid-September) from Kenai Fjords Tours' main office. Employees can receive a discount, based on space.
For Fun

Island Activities

When we aren’t working, our staff on the island are often busy outside hiking, sea kayaking and beachcombing. We offer staff discounts on bucket-list marine tours as well. On rainy days, Fox Island is a perfect place to curl up with a book or spend time with coworkers from around the world who quickly become friends.

In the town of Seward, you’ll find a full range of services like restaurants, grocery and gift shops, library and museums, fitness centers and the renowned Sea Life Center. Seward is the gateway to the rest of the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska.

Loading video...
Loading video...
Loading video...

How to Apply

Life is not one-size-fits-all, and neither are we. These experiences have the potential to change lives.

Greetings from the Pursuit Alaska team!

We’re so glad you’re interested in working with us – we think you’re pretty cool too!

Follow along with our @PursuitCareers Facebook page or check out opportunities across our geographies at jobsatpursuit.com.

We hope to see you for a summer in the land of the midnight sun!

Apply Now
About CoolWorks

Since 1995, CoolWorks has connected adventure-seekers with job opportunities in amazing places—from national parks to ski resorts, summer camps to dude ranches. We help people trade screen time for real time—meaningful experiences that spark connection and growth. Your next great adventure is waiting. More About CoolWorks

Need Help?
Check out our Help Center for FAQ's and helpful articles on how to use CoolWorks. For more in-depth information on how to navigate the world of Jobs in Great Places®, whether you're a Job Seeker or an Employer, visit our Resources page.
Scroll Less. Live More.