Dish Steward
Trade Your Lecture Hall for the Last Frontier
Imagine finishing your shift and stepping outside to see snow-capped peaks glowing under the midnight sun, moose wandering past your dorm, and the Nenana River roaring below. That’s daily life at HAP Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, located at the doorstep of Denali National Park, Alaska — one of the most spectacular wilderness destinations on Earth.
We’re hiring international university students for the position of Dish Steward for the Summer to Fall season. If you’re energetic, dependable, and ready for the adventure of a lifetime, this is your ticket to Alaska.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Operating commercial dishwashing machines and hand-washing pots, pans, and kitchen equipment
- Keeping the dish pit, kitchen floors, and work stations clean, organized, and sanitary
- Sorting, stacking, and restocking clean dishes, glassware, and silverware for the culinary and service teams
- Taking out trash, breaking down boxes, and supporting recycling and waste programs
- Assisting chefs and kitchen staff with basic prep or stocking tasks when needed
- Following all health, safety, and sanitation standards
Why Denali?
Denali National Park covers six million acres of untouched wilderness and is home to North America’s tallest mountain, Denali (20,310 ft). On your days off you can hike alpine tundra trails, spot grizzly bears, caribou and Dall sheep on a park bus tour, go whitewater rafting, take a flightseeing tour over the glaciers, or ride an ATV through the backcountry. In late summer, the tundra turns fiery red and gold — and if you stay into fall, you may even catch your first Northern Lights.
The lodge itself is a lively hub of young seasonal workers from all over the world. Expect campfires, staff parties, hiking crews, and friendships that last long after summer ends.
Position Details & Benefits
- Pay: $16.00 per hour
- Hours: 40 hours per week, with overtime frequently available
- Season: Summer to Fall
- Business type: Hospitality / Resort Lodge
- Tips: Not applicable for this position
- Employer-arranged housing available on or near the property
- Employee dining benefits and discounts on tours and activities
- Real U.S. hospitality experience for your CV and daily English practice with American and international colleagues
What We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 enrolled in the Work & Travel USA program
- Basic to intermediate English communication skills
- Physical stamina — the role involves standing for long shifts, lifting up to 20 kg, and working in a warm, fast-paced kitchen
- A positive, team-first attitude and strong work ethic
- Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Willingness to live and work in a remote wilderness location
Ready for Alaska?
Positions at Denali fill fast every season. Apply now to secure your place at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and spend your summer where the mountains are bigger, the days are longer, and the memories last forever.
About Alaska
Alaska is the ultimate Work & Travel adventure - glaciers, Denali, midnight sun and untouched wilderness. Most students work in remote lodges, national-park resorts and on tour boats, earning some of the highest summer wages in the country.
