Compensation
On-Site Housing and Living Costs Covered plus $2300/mo Salary; Approx. $4500/mo total compensation, 3 miles from Jay Peak Resort
Business Description
The Woodshed Lodge is one of the longest continuously operating inns near Jay Peak Resort, and a top-rated lodge in Jay in 2026 based on Google reviews. We offer clean rooms, a hearty breakfast, and a warm, comfortable, living space at an affordable price. We aim to be a much less-hidden gem in the area—a low-key place that is affordable and clean, with great food offerings, and good vibes for our guests and community, year-round. We maintain a historical 1905 farmhouse as a six-room guesthouse that sleeps 20 people, a beautiful new cabin that sleeps up to six people, a campsite in the summer, and we are completing a new timber frame duplex that will sleep up to 16 people and become part of our rental properties in the summer of 2027.
Job Summary
We are seeking an innkeeper to live on-site and manage the day-to-day of the business. As an Innkeeper, you’ll keep daily lodging operations running smoothly while creating a welcoming, reliable experience for every guest. You’ll coordinate front desk and guest services, manage reservations, respond to questions, and help resolve concerns with care and clear communication. Your impact: By addressing guest needs promptly and coordinating property operations, you help guests feel welcomed and supported throughout their stay.
The position will be for the 2026-27 ski season initially; however, we are particularly interested in candidates who want to continue in this position as a long-term, year-round employee. We are especially interested in candidates with experience in the hospitality industry with strong customer service skills. A large part of the job requires making reservations over phone or email, and engagement with guests during their stay. We are seeking candidates that can develop deep familiarity with the area as it relates to outdoor recreational opportunities and travel, and are able to assist guests with a high level of customer service.
An ideal candidate should also be comfortable with the food-service aspect of the hospitality industry. The Innkeeper must be able to provide breakfast in the mornings based on our existing recipes (or their own). We are seeking someone who is also willing to expand our food offerings in terms of coffee and espresso drinks, as well as a reservation-only dinner service. The innkeeper might need to help with housekeeping and cleaning on occasion, but the primary role is overseeing other staff carrying out those duties, so the main focus for this position is on customer service and food service.
As a business, we believe in work life balance and have sought to make this position no more than 50-60 hours a week during our busiest period. This workload is offset by flexible downtime throughout the rest of the year. The position includes two days off per week, even during ski season, as well as two weeks of vacation time during the off-season. We also offer a flex schedule and personal downtime when the business calendar allows for it.
Duties
- Welcome guests, manage check-in and check-out, and handle reservations using our hospitality reservation system, Think Reservations.
- Answer calls, apply professional phone etiquette, and communicate clearly with guests and clients.
- Coordinate housekeeping and property needs, maintain accurate records, and coordinate amongst staff to ensure smooth operations.
- Resolve service concerns through practical customer service problem-solving.
- Support guest relations and daily operations in line with hospitality and hotel management practices.
- Prepare, set out, and clean up from, our signature Vermontinental breakfast that requires some basic cooking.
- Keep track of building maintenance needs. Some basic maintenance in terms of hot tub care and snow removal, and organization of work to address other maintenance needs.
- Keep track of inventory and supplies and ensure procurement of new supplies.
Housing Benefit and Living Quarters
Our 1905 farmhouse is filled with historical charm. We are the closest lodging to Jay Peak Resort, 3 miles away, and as such represent a laid-back noncommercial alternative to the resort. All of the guest bedrooms are located upstairs, so the innkeeper has about half of the first floor for their private living space. These quarters consist of a large office, the kitchen, a completely private two-room apartment on the end of the building, master bathroom, plus an additional guest bedroom. The previous owners of the Lodge raised two children there and used the innkeeper's quarters as a 3-bedroom apartment. This area is private and separated form the guest areas by the main office on one side and by the kitchen on the other side. There is also a high-top table for sitting/eating in the kitchen. Plenty of storage indoors or outdoors in the shed for adventure gear, plus a dry basement. The innkeeper (and a partner, if applicable) will live onsite, rent and utility free. We are a pet-friendly business and are open to pets as long as they are well-trained and socialized. Pets must be kept in private quarters if there are any guests with allergies or aversion to them.
Further Details About the Area: An Outdoor Enthusiasts Year-round Escape
Jay Peak sits in the heart of Northern Vermont's beloved 'North East Kingdom'. It is (by stats) the snowiest mountain in the East Coast, and is known as the only 'Out-West' style mountain in the East thanks to its intense terrain, endless glades, near-constant snowfall (it's called the Jay Cloud), and endless side-country and back-country zones just off the resort (Youtube 'Big Jay skiing').
We are close to a number of major metropolitan markets such as Montreal, Boston and New York. While we are in a rural place, we are on the international border which gives the area a distinct international feel. Montreal and the eastern townships of Quebec are less than two hours away and many of our customers are from Canada. The Vermont town of Newport, located on lake Mephremagog, is 20 minutes away and Burlington, VT and its airport are just over an hour away, so there are urban areas to explore.
The Woodshed Lodge is near so many excellent outdoor recreation opportunities: 3 miles from Jay Peak Resort, 4 miles from the Long Trail and Catamount Trail, 30 minutes from Newport & Lake Memphremagog, 1hr from Burlington & Lake Champlain, great mountain biking locally, 45min from the epic mountain bike trails at Burke Mountain, and 15 minutes from the Canadian border . The outdoor beauty and the adventure-sport scene here is as vast as the mountains themselves. If you like to hike, bike, camp, ski, snowboard, Xcountry, or just sit around the fire pit with epic mountain views, you'll feel right at home here. It's just a really lovely place to live and work with a great community in the local business scene and the outdoor adventure sports scene.
Additional Benefits: Flex Time Off and Performance Bonuses
In addition to proximity to the mountains and all that they have to offer, this job offers flexibility of schedule to take advantage and enjoy the surroundings. May and November are our slower months and we often close down for part or all of each month due to lack of demand. These are opportunities for extensive time off. Throughout the rest of the year, we are supportive of a flex schedule which allows you to choose when you work and also take time off if the calendar allows for it. For example, if work is done on a slow day it is fine to take time to go snowboarding, work out etc, as long as the business needs are met. If there are many days without guests those are opportunities for short vacations or trips. We encourage the innkeeper to take their breaks as they get them so that they can put in the hours when needed - it is important to us that you enjoy the job and the lifestyle and are able to take advantage of the benefits.
We also offer the opportunity for annual performance bonuses at the end of each season contingent on professional performance and the performance of the business. We increased revenue by 50% last year and hope to do so again this year. An innkeeper that can help us achieve these goals will be rewarded accordingly with an additional bonus.
Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 – 50.0 per week
Benefits:
- Commuter assistance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Food provided
- Free parking
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
