Caretaker/Innkeeper (Couple) - Gardner, PA

JOB DESCRIPTION:
INNKEEPER, THE IRONMASTER’S MANSION

ORGANIZATION’S MISSION:  To conserve natural resources and open space for the benefit of current and future generations through land acquisition, conservation easements, education, and outreach in the Central Pennsylvania region.  The CPC recently restored and now manages the Ironmaster’s Mansion at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County, PA, an effort to steward or region’s historic and natural assets and promote education and events to benefit the community.   With a 28-bed dormitory to accommodate overnight guests, the facility serves as an overnight hostel for Appalachian Trail hikers and visitors to the region; as a group rental and special events venue for weddings, school groups, scouts, family reunions, meetings, etc.; and, as a venue for educational programming. The Ironmaster's Mansion is located at the halfway point of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and right next to the Appalachian Trail Museum.  It is managed through a partnership with Pine Grove Furnace State Park and the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau.

JOB TITLE:  Innkeeper of the Ironmaster’s Mansion
 

TIME COMMITMENT:  Full-time from April to November and Part-time from November to March.  Hours are typically 7 am- 9:30 am for breakfast and check-out, and 5-9 pm for check-in.  One-day off per week.
 

COMPENSATION:  A private, one bedroom apartment with full kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet, in addition to paid utilities, are provided for the Innkeeper. In addition, an hourly wage of $7.25/hour is paid to the Innkeeper for hours worked, with bi-weekly timesheet required.

LOCATION:  1212 Pine Grove Rd., Gardners, PA  17324

START DATE:  March 18, 2013

SUPERVISOR:  Executive Director, Central PA Conservancy
 

SUMMARY OF POSITION: This year round, live-in position requires the dedication and motivation to create an idyllic experience for guests to the Ironmaster’s Mansion while balancing the needs of the business.  Job requirements include breakfast preparation and serving, bed making and laundry, grounds work and property maintenance, seasonal renovation projects, reservations and of course guest interaction. The Mansion was built in 1829 so "handyman" skills are a plus. The property is located within the Michaux Forest, in the beautiful Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  Though it can be solitary in the winter months, it is very close to the Pine Grove Furnace Park Office, which remains open throughout the year. The location is within a 15 minute drive to Mt. Holly Springs, 20 minutes to Carlisle, PA, and 30 minutes to Shippensburg, PA.  It is less than 1 hour from Harrisburg, PA.

SPECIFIC DUTIES: 

Guest Check-in/Check-Out.  Innkeeper must check-in pre-reserved and walk-in guests from 5-9 pm daily and provide “Diddy Bag”; provide frozen meal, paper products, water, or any extra “goodies” dropped off for hikers; from 7-9:30 am daily, make breakfast, check-out, and clean; for group reservations, connect with contact person for any special arrangements, prepare kitchen, and arrange furniture as needed.

Housekeeping-Cleaning includes vacuuming, dusting, mopping floors, trash, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, straightening beds, preparing Diddy Bags, replenishing supplies, and sweeping porches.

Landscaping-Innkeeper is responsible for lawn maintenance and may use the riding mower to mow Mansion grounds on a weekly or biweekly basis as needed; weed planted beds as needed; water trees and flowers regularly; remove snow in winter as needed; participate in volunteer clean-up days (once in spring and fall).

Repairs-Make minor repairs to the building as it gets heavy use in the high season.

Supplies- Purchase monthly cleaning, food, and maintenance supplies.

Accounting-Maintain a record of all individual registrations; add reservations to the internal Google Calendar; balance income and expenses at the end of each month with Executive Director.

Communications-Answer phones, respond to voicemail, manage Mansion website and email account, interact with guests, represent the Park, and attend monthly meetings of the management team.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

High School diploma and 2-5 years of work experience required; college degree preferred. 

Accounting and computer skills required for booking reservations, accounting for income and expenses for maintenance/supplies, managing the Mansion’s website and Facebook Page, and developing occasional flyers to promote special events reservations at the Mansion.

General experience with home maintenance, repair, and cleaning, to the standards associated with maintaining a public facility.

Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people over the phone and in-person is required.  Interest in conservation and history is important.  The Innkeeper must serve as a representative of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, and the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and will be held to professional standards as such

WORKING CONDITIONS: 
Work is performed primarily on site.  Monthly meetings with management partners (Pine Grove Furnace State Park Manager, Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau Sales Representative, and CPC Executive Director). Travel to CPC or CVVB offices for these meetings may be required.  The position is an excellent opportunity for couples who can share the Innkeeper position, and pursue part-time positions elsewhere.  The position is also an excellent opportunity to begin or continue a career in hospitality, parks and recreation, historic preservation, and conservation, providing experience working for an established, yet small, nonprofit organization working to conserve natural resources in Central Pennsylvania.  The management approach is team-based, friendly, and professional, and relies on effective communication.

Disclaimer:  The information provided in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job.  It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of the position. The Executive Director, in consultation with the Board of Directors, has the sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time.  This job description is not an employment contract.