Camp Chefs: Job Description, Hiring & Training Process


Thank you for your interest in working for Backroads.

We are fully staffed for the 2009 season and are no longer accepting Camp Chef applications.

  1. If you have already submitted an application, we will keep it on file in case you choose to apply again.
  2. If you are new to this website and interested in applying next year, please scan the information below and on the side-bar to understand more about the position.
For all of you, please check back to this website in January 2010 for updated information, as we plan to hire more Camp Chefs for the 2010 season. Thank you for your continued interest in Backroads!


About Backroads
Backroads is an innovative active travel company that offers more biking, walking, multi-sport, and Insider trips in more locations worldwide than any other company in the industry. Since 1979, we have been sending our guests on exciting, luxurious, and rewarding vacations. On camping trips in North America, our exceptional group of Trip Leaders are supported by dedicated Camp Chefs and Camp Assistants.

The foundation of our extraordinary guest experience is legendary service and we go so far as to guarantee the quality of our trips. We're looking for Camp Chefs who can do a world-class job with style and professionalism.

Please read through the following for more general information about the Camp Chef job at Backroads.


Camp Chef Job Description

Requirements
The following list of qualifications serves as our guide for exceptional Camp Chef candidates. You'll see that we have very high expectations of our Camp Chefs—so do our guests! Do your skills, experiences, and aptitudes enable you to answer "yes" to most of the questions below?

  • Are you committed to delivering the highest level of quality and service to our guests and leaders?

  • Do you have experience working with food and/or cooking?

  • Are you good at anticipating and solving challenging problems independently and as part of a team?

  • Are you comfortable working long hours and doing very physically challenging work?

  • Are you happy working in the outdoors and camping?

  • Do you have a valid driver’s license, are over 19 years of age and a resident of the US?


Basic Skills
Although the food prep and cooking are the core of being a successful Camp Chef, you must also possess a strong customer service ethic to provide support to our Trip Leaders and guests. For example, the Camp Chef will be responsible for shopping, loading and stocking the trailers. You will prepare and help serve a hot, gourmet breakfast and dinner every day of the trip. You'll haul water and garbage, and help with other general tasks as assigned. You'll be responsible for doing dishes and helping to maintain a clean camp and kitchen at all times. You'll maintain Backroads' kitchen inventory of camping equipment in excellent condition. You'll often have free time in which you will be on your own, and expected to "disappear" from the group activities and entertain yourself when not working. You'll work with different Trip Leaders every week and will need to be flexible as you adapt to each leader's working style as an integral support team member.

Schedules/Quantity of Work
The Camp Chef schedules available in the U.S. are in Denali, Yosemite, Glacier, Yellowstone/Tetons, Acadia and Bryce/Zion/Grand Canyon National Parks, California Redwoods, and the San Juan Islands.

We expect first year Camp Chefs this year to work an average of 30-60 field days during the season, depending on the date of hire. We generally give Camp Chefs 60-90 days notice regarding which trips they will be working. However, due to the complexities of scheduling trips and potential trip cancellations, trip assignments may change during the season. The first schedule that a Camp Chef receives may be with as little as 5-30 days notice.

Although Backroads runs trips all over the world during the entire year, the majority of our trips take place during July-August. You must be able to work trips during this peak summer season. There is some additional work available in September. Any days that you are not available in July-August must be requested in advance and cannot be guaranteed until approved by our Scheduling Team.

Backroads does not expect Camp Chefs to reside near our home offices in Utah. However, Camp Chefs are responsible for getting themselves to the home office before their schedule begins, and Backroads will then pay for travel to their trip destination.

Pay and Allowances
Camp Chefs receive a competitive hourly rate of pay plus a share in tips from guests. While working trips, all lodging, meals, and transportation to and from trips are provided by Backroads. Many of our regions have "Leader Houses" that are available to Camp Chefs free of charge between trips.

Backroads also offers "pro-deals" to Camp Chefs - generous discounts with brand-name equipment and clothing companies.


The Hiring and Training Process

Interview
After we review your application, we will contact you via email or phone to let you know the next steps. We may follow-up with a few questions to learn more about your skills and experiences that relate to the Camp Chef position. This phone interview may last 10-20 minutes. We will then proceed with any additional hiring steps and, if hired, train you in our offices in Utah or directly in the field. More details will be provided in the phone interview.

We hope that the information we have provided gives you an understanding of the Camp Chef Position and has allowed you to evaluate if it would be the right fit for you. We look forward to addressing any additional questions that you might have during the hiring process.