Your adventure 2025 awaits! Hike Acadia National Park - Explore charming Bar Harbor.
The Acadia Corporation is a privately held company that operates seven retail shops and an ice cream shop downtown Bar Harbor, as well as one shop in neighboring Southwest Harbor. We relish the opportunity to serve both our guests and employees and have been doing so for over 90 years.
Bar Harbor is nestled into the beautiful coastline of Maine and enjoys being a destination in itself and is the main service center on the doorstep of adventures into Acadia National Park. With free bus shuttle into the park, quaint 'down east' atmosphere and amenities usually found only in larger towns Bar Harbor is a unique place to live and explore.
About The Acadia Shops
Locally owned and operated, our shops offer a broad selection of quality products to help guests enjoy their trip to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Whether looking for a new pair of hiking boots, a memento of the experience or just want to cool off with some homemade ice cream, guests will find what they need in one of our shops.
During our operating season, which runs May through the end of October, we hire about 60 people.
Most positions do not require specific prior experience, but you should be prepared to work in a busy and sometimes hectic work environment, but don't worry, we'll be right there working with you!! We're a company that enjoys helping both guests to our establishments as well as our employees. Our shops and housing are within 2 blocks, which helps build the important team atmosphere.
Ideal Candidate
We are committed to providing excellent service to our guests. All our jobs involve visitor service whether behind the scenes or directly serving the visitor. Our employees must be friendly, neat, and take pride in serving our visitors. A positive attitude is essential.
The work in the retail shops can be very fast paced throughout our operating season; from July through Labor Day, the number of visitors and tour groups increases dramatically.
Some jobs finish at Labor Day, but we need many people who can work August, September, and October.
August Help: we hire a few people to work just the month of August, our busiest time of the year. These positions require someone flexible who can fill in wherever needed.
Fall Help: Autumn is one of our most beautiful seasons. We often need employees to work 6 to 8 weeks in September and October.
Room and Board
We operate apartment-style housing in Bar Harbor, which are shared by 4-5 employees per apartment (2 persons per room). Apartment rates are $155/week per person and includes complete kitchen facilities, laundry, and internet. Our Company Housing is within walking distance of all Bar Harbor Shops.
All Acadia Corporation housing is supervised. All housing residents are required to sign a housing agreement including the length of stay and agreeing to all housing rules.
You must be at least 18 years of age to live in Company housing.
All company housing is designated as non-smoking. Those who wish to live in company housing must sign an agreement indicating their willingness to comply. Violators of the housing smoking policy may be subject to immediate eviction from company housing.
Unfortunately, we do not offer RV spaces.
Limited housing is available on Mt. Desert Island. It tends to be difficult to find and quite expensive. Should you desire your own accommodations, we can provide only limited assistance.
Employee Perks
Here's just few additional treats enjoyed by our hardworking team:
- 40% discount on all our merchandise.
- Monthly functions, including a lobster and steak feast!
- 50% reimbursement of Acadia National Park Annual Pass
- Many tours are discounted or free, offered by other local businesses. Whale watching tour, Acadia NP, and more!
Getting Here and Getting Around
There are several options available to get to Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island.
The easiest method is to fly into Bangor, Maine and then we can help arrange transportation from the airport. You might find it less expensive if you fly to Boston, MA and take Concord Trailways to Bangor. The Bar Harbor Shuttle is available for transfers from the Bangor area to Bar Harbor, Maine. Or we'll be happy to transport you from Bangor during normal business hours.
Transportation around Bar Harbor and the surrounding area during the summer without a car is possible thanks to the free Island Explorer.
Employees are welcome to bring a car, but please note that parking is extremely limited, especially in the busy summer season.
For Fun
Bar Harbor is a busy resort community of 5,000 people with a number of restaurants and shops. Outdoor activities abound. Hiking, biking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and sailing are just a few of the pursuits which visitors come to Acadia to enjoy.
There are many cultural activities in the area, including music festivals, theatrical performances, and movies. However, if you come from a major urban area or a large college campus, please bear in mind that the number of sporting events, concerts, and similar activities is very limited in our local area - these activities are generally several hours away. The employees who are happiest here are those who enjoy outdoor activities more than nightlife.
How to Apply
Your dates of availability affect your chances of employment. In general, the later you can stay, the better your chances will be for receiving an offer of employment. Be realistic and specific about the exact dates you will be available, as these dates will become part of your employment agreement.
We look forward to hearing from you. An online application is available, linked below.
* Once an application makes it through the initial screening process we rely on phone interviews to give us additional insight before making and employment offer. We try to have many of our employment decisions completed by April. You will be notified by mail on the status of your application.
The Acadia Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and hires without regard to race, color, ancestry, sex, religion, national origin, age (except where age is a bona fide occupational qualification), physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status.
Contact Info
- Matt Hiestand
- jobs@acadiashops.com
- (207) 288-1204
- www.acadiashops.com
