Marine Steward - Seasonal Job at The Boat Company in Juneau

Southeast Alaska is a wild, rich, and dynamic region of Alaska. Standing on a beach in Frederick Sound, it is possible to see rainforest behind you, high mountain peaks with glaciers in front of you, and Humpback Whales feeding in the rich water surrounding you. No wonder this area is a destination for many tourists each summer. However, many visitors never get a chance to have an intimate experience here as most of their time is spent aboard large cruise ships or in port.

The Boat Company’s (TBC) aim is to provide a more intimate experience in this incredible place. The hope is that this intimate experience combined with a knowledgeable crew will foster a sense of stewardship in our passengers. This is extremely important because Southeast Alaska is home to the 17 million-acre Tongass National Forest. This is the largest National Forest in the United States and, as such, each of us has a say in managing this forest. TBC believes that to know Southeast Alaska is to love Southeast Alaska and by educating our passengers about this area and the issues that face it, they will be more likely to take an active role in deciding what the future holds for this national treasure.

** This is a seasonal position that generally runs from March to September. However, if interested and if necessary, may result in a backfill or "fill-in" for the current operating season.

The Steward works under the supervision and direction of the Chief Steward or Guest Coordinator and helps with all aspects of serving meals and cleaning guest cabins and public areas.  The Steward helps inventory and restock bar supplies, cocktail beverages, soft drinks and wines.  The Steward also helps maintain a clean and orderly laundry area on board, organizing and stowing all spare guest linens, towels, etc.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Meal service (50%):
  • Monitor guest consumption of cocktail snacks, bar supplies, coffees, teas, sodas, mixers, etc., and restock supplies as necessary.
  • Help serve appetizers and work closely with the Chief Steward and galley crew to ensure high-quality meal presentations.
  • Assist with dining room set-up, meal service and bussing. Sweep fantail dining area floor daily and keep dining and buffet tables clean and well-organized at all times. 
  • Whenever possible, help with dishwashing and galley cleaning chores, and assist with the removal of food refuse, glass and other kitchen waste to dumpster on deck.
  • Help pull wine and liquor from stores as needed, and help maintain orderliness in storeroom.
  • When necessary, assist with preparation of sack lunches for guests and guides, and help ensure bottled water, coffee thermoses, or other beverages and snacks are available for fishing or shore excursions.
  • Responsible for helping to make sure guests are served and well cared for at all times while on board.
• Cleaning staterooms and public areas (40%):
  • Assist the Chief Steward or Guest Coordinator in maintaining stocks of toiletries, towels, bed linens, blankets, and all other supplies for guest cabins.
  • Clean guest cabins daily during cruises by tidying-up, vacuuming and cleaning bathrooms.
  • Maintain orderliness and cleanliness in all public areas, paying attention to details such as clean windows, empty trash containers, swept or vacuumed floors, well-tended plants and fresh flower arrangements.
  • Assist the Chief Steward or Guest Coordinator with inspections of all guest staterooms and bathrooms before each cruise to ensure these areas are immaculately clean and orderly.
• Other duties (10%):
  • Upon direction from supervisor or the Captain or First Mate, undertake other duties which may include assisting other crewmembers with their duties, handling lines or fenders upon entering or leaving port, assisting with luggage handling in port, etc.
  • Help ensure laundry areas are kept clean and orderly.
  • Help the Chief Steward or Guest Coordinator with end-of-season inventory of steward supplies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior restaurant, cruise ship, lodge or hotel experience required.
• Must be congenial, energetic and accustomed to dealing with the public.
• Previous experience in the maritime industry, especially passenger vessel service, is beneficial.
• Requires ability to listen and communicate well with others, follow directions and respond quickly and effectively both during the normal performance of duties and during scheduled emergency drills.
• Requires the ability to write and organize shopping lists.
• Interpersonal skills require the ability to regularly deal with a variety of different people. Patience, thoughtfulness, and absolute courtesy in relations with guests are essential. 
• Must be capable of living and working in close-quarters for long periods of time with supervisor and other personnel.

GENERAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Crew sign on to a vessel for a tour of duty that encompasses the entire four to five month operating season, and must be physically capable of maintaining rigorous work schedules consisting of twelve to fourteen-hour days over much of this time.  Most of TBC's cruises are of seven-day duration, and at the end of each cruise there is a short twenty-four hour turnaround period in port during which time all crewmembers assist with various shipboard duties such as luggage handling, refueling and loading stores.  For the purpose of maintaining safety and security on board, the Captain may direct any crewmember to stand a security watch during turnaround periods in port.

• Physical demands generally include frequent bending, reaching, twisting, kneeling, pulling/pushing, and grasping
• Passing or receiving of one to several different sized objects totaling up to 50 pounds in weight while loading ships stores. When heavy or awkward items are being moved, crew should use lifting devices such as cranes or chain falls, or seek assistance from other personnel.  When an object is too heavy or too awkward for one person to move safely, it is the responsibility of the individual to obtain assistance as necessary.
• Must be capable of boarding and exiting a vessel without physical assistance by climbing up or down dock ladder or vessel boarding steps.
• Must be capable of climbing into or out of a skiff from dock or boarding area without assistance in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to climb or descend one or more sets of steep stairs or vertical ladders both inside and outside the vessel in all weather conditions.
• Must have the ability to climb an eight-foot vertical ladder and fit through a 28-inch wide hatch.
• Must have hearing, vision, and vocal abilities that allow performance of duties safely when aboard vessel.
• Must be capable of hearing alarms and signals from the vessel.
• Must be capable of performing the actions listed in the vessel Station Bill (copy provided upon request).
• Must be able to don a life vest or jacket and/or survival suit without assistance, and, having done so, must further be able to walk without assistance to any assigned life vessel station or life craft for boarding.
• Must be capable of working and living on board a vessel for the tour of duty duration and without having access to hospital services, prescription medications or medical treatment except for first aid assistance and/or treatment at local area clinics, if available.
• Must be willing and capable of assisting other crewmembers in the performance of their work duties at any time during tour of duty duration.
• May be required to use hand tools, power tools, painting equipment, and personal protective gear. Power tools may be heavy or awkward and may generate dust or loud noise.