Dining Room Server

Tonglen Lake Lodge is a small full-service all inclusive lodge looking for an experienced Server to join our team.  Dinner service features five to seven prix-fixe courses, with a nightly changing menu focused on local and fresh ingredients. The season runs from late May through early September, with approximately one week of training/shut down on either end.  All employee housing costs are covered by Tonglen Lake Lodge in addition to an hourly rate of $16-$20/hr depending on experience plus pooled tips ranging on average from an additional $8-$15/hr.

Tonglen Lake Lodge is located just minutes away from Denali National Park.  It is a seasonally run operation of 12 units, 11 of which are private cabins. The café, restaurant and grounds are open to the public as a space for local artisans, community members, and performers.  Summer 2025 will run from June 1-Sept 8, with training starting on the 26rd of May and closing completed  by the 12th of September. Our Servers work approximately 40 hours a week over five shifts.  Staff includes 15-20 people.

PM Server Job Duties:

• Welcoming guests and determining their interests and needs.

• Educating guests by presenting and explaining the dishes throughout dinner service; answering questions.

• Providing wine and beverage service with knowledgeable recommendations based on beverage menu training.

• Preparing and selling coffee drinks by following prescribed recipes and preparation techniques for coffee drinks such as espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos.

• Maintaining proper inventory of both alcoholic and N/A beverages.

• Maintains a safe and healthy work environment by following organization standards and sanitation regulations.

• Timely delivery of dishes from the kitchen to the upstairs dining room.

• Closes and cleans the dining room nightly, as well as maintains our standard of cleanliness in the cafe.

• Notifying AM team members of anything requested by guests for morning service.

Requirements: 

• At least 2 years of experience in a restaurant / guest facing food service environment.

• ServSafe Certificate or Alaska Food Workers Card (can be obtained after employment)

• Ability to stand, squat, reach, and lift up to 50lbs

• Ability to consistently climb up and down stairs while carrying trays of food / beverages

• Alaska TAPS Alcohol Server Certification (can be obtained after employment)

• Ability to contribute to a team and keep a positive atmosphere

• A positive attitude and an interest in contributing talents and energy toward the efforts at Tonglen Lake

• Ability to be flexible and communicative

• Interest in being part of a small, close-knit team of seasonal employees 

• Willingness to work flexible hours to support both AM and PM service 

Compensation:

The hourly wage for the PM Server position is $16-20/hr. All staff are provided housing and one meal per day as part of their compensation. The position is also a part of the tip-pool, which has averaged an additional $8-$15/hr.

BONUS: An end of season completion bonus for staying through the duration of the employment contract is paid at $1 per hour for every hour worked over the entire season.

Every staff member will be provided housing at no cost to them.  In addition, Tonglen will provide one staff meal per day, as well as access to kitchen equipment to cook personal meals.  Local companies regularly provide the opportunity to join complimentary tours/excursions for staff of other local businesses.  This includes opportunities such as flight seeing tours of Mt. Denali, rafting trips down the Nenana river, ATV tours, horseback riding and more.

TIPS: Our high end clientele at Tonglen Lake tend to be very generous and Summer 2024 had our staff earning an additional $8-$12/hr in gratuity.  Tips are pooled and split between ALL staff members by hours worked per pay period.

If you are interested in joining our team in remote Alaska for a seasonal summer position, please apply!  We are a unique and wonderful way to spend the summer season.

Note: Though personal transportation is definitely not a requirement (we have a vehicle available for staff to borrow depending on availability) we find our staff that have their own vehicles seem to have more experiences in Denali and around Alaska.  This is fully a personal preference!