Hiring F&B and Retail for the 2024 Summer Season in Beautiful Acadia National Park!
Dawnland operates the historic Jordan Pond House Restaurant, a tradition that began in the 1890's serving iconic popovers on the lawn overlooking idyllic Jordan Pond. We also operate three retail gift shops, which are located in some of the most beautiful spots in Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole and Jordan Pond.
Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island, Maine. It was the first national park established, east of the Mississippi River. It boasts 26 mountains (with the tallest being Cadillac Mountain), miles of rocky coast and two dozen ponds and lakes.
About Jordan Pond House
Are you inspired by scenic beauty? It doesn't get any better than Acadia National Park. You can work at the historic Jordan Pond House, Cadillac Mountain or Thunder Hole in a variety of departments including food and beverage, retail gifts or maintenance! We have opportunities in all of our locations. You could spend your summer serving our iconic popovers on the lawn overlooking Jordan Pond. You could be assisting guests at one of our gift shops at Jordan Pond, atop scenic Cadillac Mountain at our Eco Center or seaside at the Thunder Hole Gift Shop. It's up to you.....all you have to do is apply!
The Employee Experience
Dawnland offers a unique employee experience with planned weekly activities ranging from hiking, biking, kayaking, karaoke nights, frisbee golf, gym memberships...the list goes on and on. We want you to have a truly amazing experience both on the clock and off.
Acadia National Park is roughly a 4.5 hours drive to Boston, Massachusetts, 3 hours to Portland, Maine and 8.5 hours to New York City, New York.
Our great Dawnland team is international! We employ people from all over the world which only makes for an even richer work experience. Plus, you get the added benefit of serving guests from around the world...a win, win!
At the end of the season, you may have opportunities to transfer to other ExplorUS National Parks locations to further your career trajectory...Hawaii, California, Arizona, Kentucky, etc.
Dawnland offers affordable in and out-of-park employee housing so what are you waiting for...apply now!
Ideal Candidate
Acadia is highly visited and we are busy! We need staff that are excited, hardworking, and flexible. However, our most successful employees are those who want to enjoy the whole experience of working in Acadia National Park. They not only work hard, but strive to take advantage of all the opportunities that the Park and the surrounding area has to offer. Ideal employees should be enthusiastic about learning the traditions and history of Acadia National Park and The Jordan Pond House. Additionally, as a growing company, we are always looking for employees that are pursuing a career and would like to grow with us.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Our operating dates are from early/ mid-May until late October. Opportunities for late season arrivals (August-October as well). We give preference to applicants who are able to work the entire season.
Room and Board
Employees may reside in our rustic employee dormitory located in the park near the Jordan Pond House, in our off-site, company apartments, near Hadley Point in Bar Harbor or in a condo unit near downtown Bar Harbor.
Dorm residents have the advantage of living inside Acadia National Park with numerous hiking and biking trails right off their backyard. Dorm residents will have 1-3 roommates. For those working at the Jordan Pond House, the commute is a 3-5 minute trail walk to work. Dorm residents will share a bunk-room with other residents and are provided with diverse and healthy meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Included in the room and board charge is free laundry, bulk amenities such as laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. Other provided conveniences are bed linens, free Wi-Fi, and satellite TV.
Our company-owned apartments are each two bedrooms. Each apartment is shared by up to four residents. Our centrally located apartment complex is 13 miles from the Jordan Pond House and 8 miles from downtown Bar Harbor and about 12 miles from Ellsworth. A free employee shuttle will take you to and from work. For trips to Bar Harbor or the Park, on your days off, the apartments are on the route of the free public bus line, the Island Explorer. This is a great option for those who want to buy and cook their own meals, and prefer apartment-style living over dormitory life. Each apartment is furnished and provided with basic kitchen appliances (toaster, microwave, and coffee maker), as well as dishes and utensils. Free on-site laundry is also provided. Residents are responsible for their own meals, linens, toiletries, and cleaning products.
Our company-owned condominiums are one bedroom units. Each condo is shared by two people. One condo can house three people. A free employee shuttle will take you to and from work. The condos are 8 miles from the Jordan Pond House. This is a great option for those looking for a quiet location but the amenities of living near town. Each condo is furnished and provided with basic kitchen appliances (toaster, microwave, and coffee maker), as well as dishes and utensils. On-site coin laundry is also provided. Residents are responsible for their own meals, linens, toiletries, and cleaning products.
All housing options are supervised by Dawnland Acadia Management. All employees will be required to sign a housing agreement and pay a housing deposit. The housing deposit is deducted from your first two paychecks.
Couples housing may be available!
Employees may find their own housing but please keep in mind that seasonal housing is in short supply and you must inquire months in advance. We do not offer RV hookups although many private campgrounds in the area do. You must make inquiries and reservations well in advance.
Employee Perks
Some of the perks of employment with us are; a dining room with a lounge area to unwind, pick up a book from the dorm bookshelf, watch a movie or play board games. We have a volleyball court at the dorm as well as a limited number of bicycles for employee use. Other assorted sporting equipment is also available for employee use. Regularly scheduled group activities will also be available. Last year's activities included; participation in sports leagues, shopping trips, and mini-golfing.
All employees are also provided with a free employee park pass, which allows you full access to the Park during your employment period. As an alternative to getting your exercise in the Park, we will pay a portion of your seasonal membership to the Mount Desert Island YMCA.
We also offer significant discounts on retail and gift merchandise as well as personal meals.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Fly into Bangor and ride the Downeast Shuttle to Bar Harbor, Maine! Car-free travel/living is possible thanks to the free Island Explorer shuttle, Dawnland's employee shuttle and other connecting transportation options.
Employees not arriving by car can be met in Bar Harbor, ME with advance notice.
For Fun
Need a break from all those beautiful Park vistas? The towns of Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and several other villages on Mount Desert Island offer shopping and dining options for every taste and budget. Whale watches, nature cruises, museums, cinemas, music festivals, theaters, and other activities are available for both the sunny and rainy days off.
Dreamed of visiting Nova Scotia, Canada? You can hop on the CAT ferry in Bar Harbor and take a cruise into Canada on your day off!
Acadia National Park and the surrounding areas have endless activities to enjoy. Aside from Acadia National Park’s over 120 miles of hiking trails, and over 45 carriage trails to hike or bike on; there are kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, fishing and rock climbing opportunities in the park.
For those with vehicles, taking the time to explore other areas that are off Mount Desert Island, is a day off well spent. A visit to Bangor (approx. 1 hr. from the Jordan Pond House) to shop or see a concert or to explore areas such as Baxter State Park, West Quoddy Head or Camden Hills, will create more summer memories.
How to Apply
We have an online application - it will be very helpful to have detailed information (education and work history - dates, contact information, addresses, etc) when you are ready to complete an application.
Please begin the process by clicking the APPLY HERE button below to review our JOB LIST. You will see a list of our available positions. By clicking on a position title you will view the job description and you will have the opportunity to click on a link to apply for the position.
Please email with any questions.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.