Up The Creek operates with the help of work Stay volunteers. In the busy summer season, we hire a paid Assistant Manager to come on board to work closely with the owner and occasionally run the lodge solo with volunteer support.
How to become a Work Stay Volunteer?
Two Options:
- Make a normal booking or merely turn up, pay for a minimum of three night’s accommodation, and if you like what Roberts Creek has to offer, inquire about the possibility of our “work and stay” program. This will be totally at our discretion, subject to availability and suitability.
- Alternatively, contact us via email at martin@upthecreek.ca with details of your request (length of stay, skills sets, contact information). Then, after a short video chat, your accommodation will be confirmed and is guaranteed for a minimum of 2 weeks.
We will require a credit card number with a two week $150 cancellation charge applying, as we will be relying upon your agreed work. Of course, no charges will be made if you arrive as planned.
What you can expect:
- 4 hours (or 6 for two people) of work per day, 5 days a week (around 10-2pm – including most weekends) = 20 hours/week (30 hours/week for two people)
- Work duties will include: cleaning, gardening, building maintenance, lawn care, painting, planting, pruning, chopping/stacking firewood, fruit harvest, bike cleaning, and various related projects. If you have a specific skill set, please tell us when you make your booking so that we can put your skills to best use.
- In exchange, you’ll receive free accommodation in a 14’ travel trailer, located in the garden – equipped with a kitchen, bed, heater, wifi, but no bathroom.
- We may accept additional volunteers, a volunteer may receive a dorm-bed in exchange for work.
- From November to February, the volunteer will be asked to move inside to a dorm-bed.
- The volunteer will have access to all lodge common areas and amenities during their stay.
Assistant Youth Hostel Manager- Summer 2025
Duties of The Assistant Youth Hostel Manager:
- Clear and concise communication with customers with enthusiasm and understanding, at any time of day or night, via email, Facebook, text and telephone.
- Providing tourist information specific to the region to all customers.
- Familiarity with multiple online booking platforms (Expedia, Little Hotelier, Air B&B etc) and their use on desktop and mobile devices
- Familiarity with Internet technology and the use of Apps such as Whats App, SMS, Quickbooks, Google Maps, Facebook, Instagram, Google Drive, Skype, SCCU online banking, TrailMapps, Excel/Pages, Word and many more.
- Finely tuned Interpersonal skills able to deal with a wide variety of customers including reserved customers, walk-in customers, telephone and text enquiries, emails, complaint procedures.
- Maintaining simple house rules around smoking, toking, noise, fire use, recycling etc
- Engagement in existing and new marketing opportunities, incentive programs, community engagement and support.
- Managing all financial aspects of the business including issue of receipts, invoicing, paying bills, collation of Accounts Payable receipts for submission to bookkeeper, banking (online).
- Recognition of minor building defects and maintenance required, including weekly lawn mowing, refinishing painted and stained surfaces, plumbing/electrical, firewood supply and more.
- Overseeing volunteers providing 20 hours of janitorial and maintenance services
- Janitorial services when Volunteer staff not on duty, to keep all 18 bed spaces, rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and common areas of the property in clean and tidy condition, including laundry with year-round air-dry facility only.
- Removal of recycling, green waste, excess materials, etc to off-site locations using the provided vehicles.
Job Supervision, Mentorship and Skills Development
- The Assistant Manager will be closely supervised, especially during the initial 4 weeks, by Martin Prestage, owner and operator of Up The Creek for 20 years. Martin has extensive experience in the training, mentoring and supervision of countless Work & Stay volunteers since 2010, and Assistant Managers employed during the last 5 years.
- Supervision will occur on a daily basis, at the location of the business, carried out in an informal nature but with check lists and project descriptions in written format
- At the onset of the contract, specific areas of required training will be identified by discussion between the owner and Assistant Manager, and a mentorship plan adopted accordingly.
- Enhancement of new and learned skills will form part of the 10 week program.
Job Qualifications & conditions
- Proven knowledge of the Sunshine Coast regionâl tourism assets
- Proven experience within the hospitality industry, minimum 3 years.
- Preferred qualification in social sciences, recreation management or tourism.
- Full car license
- Fluent in English, and preferred second language- French or Spanish
- Non-smoker, no drug use, no pet ownership.
- Ability to share suite with owner of business (private bedroom but shared bathroom and kitchen)
- Work schedule to be agreed with owner each week
Remuneration
- Term: 13 weeks commencing Sun 15th June, completion Sat 13th September 2025, with possible variation by 2 weeks either way.
- 25 hours per week at $23/hr on payroll, with free accommodation supplied for an additional 10 hours/week. Please note that living on site is part of the job conditions, and is not optional.
- No vacation pay
How to Apply:
Pleases send your cover letter and resume to martin@upthecreek.ca with the words “Assistant Manager” in the title.