HAP Holland America Denali Lodge

Work Where the Wild Things Are – Denali National Park, Alaska

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping outside to see snow-capped peaks glowing in the midnight sun, moose wandering past the treeline and the tallest mountain in North America towering on the horizon. That’s an ordinary evening when you work at HAP Holland America Denali Lodge, one of Alaska’s most iconic hospitality destinations, located right at the doorstep of Denali National Park & Preserve.

We’re looking for energetic, reliable university students to join our kitchen team as a Dish Steward for the Summer to Fall season. If you love teamwork, fast-paced environments and the idea of spending a season in the Last Frontier, this is your adventure.

Your Role as a Dish Steward

The dish room is the heartbeat of every great kitchen – and you’ll be the person who keeps it pumping. Day to day you will:

• Operate commercial dishwashing machines to clean plates, glassware, cutlery, pots and pans
• Scrape, rinse, sort and stack dishes and kitchen equipment efficiently
• Keep the dish area, floors, sinks and work stations clean, organized and sanitary
• Restock clean dishware and utensils for chefs and servers during service
• Take out trash, break down boxes and support recycling and waste programs
• Assist the culinary team with basic cleaning and light food-prep support tasks
• Follow all health, safety and food-handling standards

Pay & Hours

• Hourly rate: $16.00 per hour
• Hours: approximately 40 hours per week (overtime often available during peak season)
• Season: Summer to Fall
• Tips: Not applicable for this position – your earnings come from a solid, consistent hourly wage

Why Denali? Location Highlights

Denali is not just a job location – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime destination that travelers from around the world save for years to visit. As a seasonal employee you’ll be living inside that postcard:

• Denali National Park: 6 million acres of wilderness, hiking trails, tundra and glacial rivers
• Wildlife spotting: grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, wolves and bald eagles
• Endless daylight: up to 20 hours of Alaskan summer sun for after-work hikes and river rafting
• Adventure activities: whitewater rafting, ziplining, ATV tours, flightseeing over Mt. Denali, and horseback riding
• Easy weekend trips: Fairbanks, Anchorage, Talkeetna and the Alaska Railroad
• Northern lights: as the season moves toward fall, aurora borealis sightings begin

Benefits & Perks

• Employee housing available on or near property (subject to availability and deduction)
• Affordable employee meals / staff dining options
• Friendly international team – meet students and seasonal workers from around the globe
• Employee recreation programs, staff activities and organized excursions
• Discounts on tours and activities offered by HAP Alaska–Yukon
• Real experience with a world-renowned hospitality brand for your CV
• Opportunity to improve your English in a genuine American work environment

What We’re Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 with a valid J-1 Work & Travel USA visa
• Conversational English communication skills
• Strong work ethic, punctuality and a positive, team-first attitude
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift/move up to 50 lbs (approx. 23 kg)
• Comfortable working in a hot, humid, fast-paced kitchen environment
• Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays
• Willingness to live and work in a remote, nature-focused location
• Availability for the full Summer to Fall season

Ready for Your Alaskan Summer?

Places at Denali Lodge fill fast every year – it’s one of the most requested Work & Travel USA destinations. Apply early, pack your hiking boots and get ready for a summer you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life.