Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge (Grand Lake, CO)

About Shadowcliff

Perched above Grand Lake at the headwaters of the Colorado River, Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge is a nonprofit lodge and retreat center built and sustained by volunteers. For more than six decades, Shadowcliff has been a gathering place for travelers, groups, and artists seeking rest, renewal, and connection with nature and one another.

We are a mountain sanctuary with a mission to hold space for individual and collective transformation, and a vision to inspire a more kind and loving world through the power of connection and our values of healing, growth, community, and hospitality.

Position Summary

Every person who arrives at Shadowcliff carries a story of rest, reunion, grief, discovery, or creative renewal. Hospitality here is about honoring those stories by creating an atmosphere of calm, warmth, competence, and genuine welcome.

The Guest Services & Hospitality Assistant plays a vital and versatile role in the day-to-day operations at Shadowcliff and is cross-trained to provide support for the Administration & Guest Services Manager, the Hospitality & Housekeeping Lead, and the Compassionate Kitchen.

As Guest Services Assistant, responsibilities include working with a diverse group of people, having knowledge of Shadowcliff’s lodging options, pricing, and policies; answering the phone, managing the reservation system, responding to emails, completing laundry (washing, folding and bundling), other office related and administrative tasks, daily housekeeping in and around the front office area/lounge/guest kitchen, and participating in kitchen clean-up rotation.

As Hospitality Assistant, responsibilities include working as a team to provide a variety of services, primarily housekeeping, with periodic kitchen assistance, and special projects for the full Shadowcliff campus and our guests with close attention to health and safety policies and procedures. Under the guidance of the Hospitality Lead, workers will provide detailed and conscientious demonstration of duties including housekeeping/cleaning in accordance with protocols, assisting the Front Office with hospitality laundry, assisting the Compassionate Kitchen Cook with meal preparation, food service, and kitchen clean-up as required, and assisting the Maintenance - Groundskeeper with special projects for Shadowcliff's facilities and grounds as schedule permits (no experience required).

This is a hands-on and people-centered role for someone who thrives in maintaining curiosity and finding purpose in service-related assignments while joyfully upholding a spirit of care and versatility.

Schedule

• Full-time on-site: early June–late September
• Work a variable weekly schedule of 35 - 40 hours per week that includes day and evening shifts with 2 days off per week (may not always be consecutive).
• Shadowcliff operates as a Seasonal Recreational Establishment under Section 13(a)(3) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As a result, certain federal and state overtime provisions do not apply during our operational season. Even with this exemption, Shadowcliff is committed to humane, sustainable scheduling, including:
  • A published weekly schedule
  • Shared rotating on-call duties
  • Reasonable work-hour expectations that allow for rest, days off, and long-term well-being

All hours worked are recorded and either paid or flexed as legally compliant comp time, per written agreement and applicable law.

NOTE: Second jobs are not generally permitted while employed with Shadowcliff for the season.

Compensation & Benefits

• Cash compensation: $400/week (non-exempt; overtime paid per Colorado COMPS Order where applicable)
• Room & board: Provided at no cost while on-site (private room and bath; shared meals included). Estimated value ~$1,400/month
• Shared gratuities
• End-of-season bonus: Discretionary and performance-based
• Paid Sick Leave: Accrued and available in compliance with Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA)
• 50% Friends & Family lodging discount.
• Shadowcliff does not currently offer employer-sponsored health insurance

Primary Responsibilities

*Most Guest Services & Hospitality Assistants will be cross-trained over these three areas of specialty – however, please don’t hesitate to express your interest in a particular role based on preference or previous experience.*

Guest Services

• Perform front office operations including opening and closing procedures.
• Interact with a diverse group of people in person, on the phone, and electronically, including guests, volunteers, and staff, always reflecting our core of community, hospitality, and equality. Tasks may include:
  • Welcoming guests, checking them in, offering to carry their belongings to their room, familiarizing them with the property.
  • Taking reservations in person and via phone, managing the online reservation system.
  • Assisting guests and answering a variety of questions on a daily basis.
• Perform daily housekeeping/cleaning of the Rempel Lounge and Guest Kitchen.
• Manage laundry activities.
• Maintain petty cash and cash-collection documentation systems.

Hospitality

• Team-oriented detailed and conscientious demonstration of housekeeping duties which include cleaning cabins, guest rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas per requirements.
• Work with the Maintenance - Groundskeeper and other staff on special projects for the facilities and grounds (no prior experience required).
• Present a friendly, helpful and service oriented attitude to guests at all times, on and off shift.

Compassionate Kitchen

• Participate in kitchen clean-up rotation.
• Under the supervision of the Compassionate Kitchen Cook and/or General Manager, assist in the preparation and service of healthful meals for groups and community meals for staff as needed (no prior kitchen experience required).

Who You Are

• An adventurous and curious self-starter who is flexible, adaptable, collaborative, and possesses some experience or knowledge surrounding:
  • Providing excellent customer service.
  • Navigating computer, office, and online systems.
  • Maintaining an approach that is self-motivated and detail-oriented in an environment of fluctuating activity.
  • Ability to work effectively and respectfully with a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and guests while maintaining a collaborative attitude and professional demeanor.
• Confident in your ability to live in a close community including shared common spaces with other members of staff.
• Valid driver’s license is not required but beneficial.
• At minimum, applicants must be 18 years of age.
• Able to live and work at altitude during the summer season and be physically able to adjust to altitude and the physical nature of many stairs and rocky mountain terrain; reasonable accommodations available.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

During the summer season, this role involves frequent walking, standing, and stair climbing, with occasional lifting (up to ~40 lbs). The lodge environment is rustic, collaborative, and evolving. A spirit of flexibility, curiosity, and care for others is essential.

Note: Shadowcliff maintains a no pets, no smoking, and no weapons policy for all campus spaces.

All Shadowcliff employees must uphold Shadowcliff’s Employment & Community Standards Agreement and Shadowcliff’s Health & Safety Standards Agreement.

Equity, inclusion, & belonging

Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in all forms. We believe our mission of holding space for transformation is strengthened by the inclusion of voices, perspectives, and life experiences from all backgrounds.

We welcome applications from people of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, abilities, and ages. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants and employees throughout the hiring process.

How to apply

Please submit your resume and a short cover letter using our online application form:

https://airtable.com/appRwbYFfp2N2spjE/pagJOpLJ1kJDKv3JR/form

Please include two references familiar with you and your hospitality experience.

Priority review begins March 2 and continues until the position is filled.