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What We Expect From You

We expect our staff to work hard with enthusiasm and a desire to get the job done right the first time. We delight in a member of the team who “owns” his or her job, and with the proper attitude you will have a lot of fun. During your free time you are welcome to participate in ranch activities such as riding, kayaking, hiking, fishing, etc. Remember, though, this is not your summer vacation – it can be strenuous work.

Working as a team

Our staff is very important to us and to succeed we must work together as a team with one goal in mind: to provide the best experience possible for our guests. Living and working together is not easy but if everybody is pulling their own weight it can truly be a joyful time. Because we work and live so closely we all are required to observe certain policies.

Stehekin Valley Ranch is our home and for the time you will be working here it is your home too. We enjoy sharing our home and our way of life with our guests as well as our employees. Every “home” has a culture and we hope that while you are here you will respect and attempt to enhance ours. This is a western guest ranch, and while we don’t require or expect our employees to have a western background, we do expect you to be willing to make an effort to adapt to that culture while you are here. Input and ideas are helpful and constructive if done in the proper manner and spirit, so do feel free to express your thoughts. With that, however, you must also be willing to accept and respect the final decision of your superiors.

Availability

First consideration is given to employees who can stay from Memorial Weekend thru September 30th. We are willing to work with your scheduling needs however, so let us know if you are not available for the whole season – we may be able to accommodate.

Punctuality

We have a very strong work ethic and expect the same from you. We depend on you getting to work on time. If you are late it creates a hardship on your co-workers and compromises the quality of service for our guests.

Appearance

As Stehekin Valley Ranch staff, you are in constant contact with our guests – even while off duty. We encourage you to interact with them, and therefore good social skills, table manners, and a neat and clean appearance are necessary.
Makeup, jewelry and perfume must be conservative and in keeping with attire. No jewelry will be worn in body piercing, except ears. Tattoos shall be covered. (Exceptions may be allowed if tattoos are not massive or vulgar.)

Attire

Acceptable clothing would include jeans, pants, or skirts (for women); shirts which do not carry a message and shoes or boots. Keep in mind we are a western guest ranch. Western style apparel is always fitting, but not mandatory.

The following are not acceptable while on duty: shorts, mini-skirts, yoga pants, sweat pants, sleeveless shirts, sandals, or any torn or patched clothing.

Clothes must be neat and clean with shirttails tucked in. Hairstyles must be neat, clean, and well groomed at all times. Men’s hair length shall not fall below their collar and we only allow neat and trimmed beards and mustaches. If you did not arrive with a beard or mustache do not plan on growing one while you are here. Women with long hair will be required to perform proper hair management while in food service areas.

Noise and Conduct

It is important to be considerate of others and their privacy. Radios and iPods/iPhones, etc. are not allowed on the job. It is impossible to interact while wearing headphones and noise generally interferes with what people are here for which is peace and quiet.

Staff Guests

While we encourage you to have visitors while you are working for us, staff housing is not intended to be shared with staff guests. Visitors are welcome to rent one of our guest cabins, camp in nearby campgrounds, or find lodging in other parts of the valley. Staff guests may ride our bus for free. Meals will need to be paid for (unless guests are already paying for a cabin at the Ranch).

Transportation

Stehekin is not accessible by car but does have around 25 miles of its own road. Most of the 9 miles of road between the Landing and the Ranch is paved (roughly), with a few sections that are still gravel. The road above the Ranch is all gravel.
Ranch employees may ride the scheduled lower valley shuttle buses and our own Ranch bus  at no cost which gives you at least 4 options daily.
You are encouraged to bring a mountain bike with you if you are an avid biker. The trails are closed to bikes, but the Stehekin Valley Road is perfect for them, and a bike will give you some mobility on your own schedule. Let’s be honest though –  if you aren’t used to biking a lot, your bike is likely to just sit next to your room all summer.
It is also possible to ship in a vehicle on the barge for a cost of around $200 each way. If you want to spend the cash to bring your own vehicle up, we can help you make arrangements with the barge company.

Communication

Since Stehekin is remote communication can be a problem. There is a public satellite phone available at the boat landing area. Messages can be delivered by radio for emergencies by calling our reservation office at (509) 682-4677.
Other emergency numbers are:
North Cascades Dispatch (360) 873-4590 ext. 37
Chelan County Dispatch at (509) 664-5243

Your address while you are here will be:
C/O Stehekin Valley Ranch
P.O. Box 36
Stehekin, WA 98852

Internet availability: We do have wireless internet available for our staff, but it is VERY limited. If you use the internet daily to stream videos, upload/download a lot of pictures, or make lengthy phone calls, you should expect to change your online habits a bit while you are in Stehekin. We have Starlink Internet at the Ranch, but it is shared with everyone here, and can get bogged down at times. We are also in a steep valley with many trees, so our view of the sky (and thus our ability to connect to the Starlink satellite network) is not perfect. It is possible to make a phone call, but we don’t promise that it will be a perfect connection. It may cut in and out, or even drop the call. We also do not guarantee that you will be able to pick up the signal in your room/cabin, but you won’t have to go far to connect. The best internet signal is in our parking lot, and is used by staff and guests alike. Make friends and soak up some sun while you surf the internet.

Employee Housing

We are able to provide housing and meals for some employees at the ranch. After we interview and before we make an official job offer we will discuss housing needs and costs. Rest assured that whatever your situation we will help you find housing. Housing varies from single rooms, tent cabins, cabins or RV hookups for either your trailer or ours. All units are not fancy but you will have a room of your own. If you are a couple or family we will work with you to find adequate housing.
Dining and laundry facilities are the same as those used by our guests. Remember to consider the guests, and instruction will be given on how to schedule your laundry and meals appropriately.

Pay and Hours

Crewmembers work 30-40 hours per week. More hours are available depending on which position you hold and your experience and attitude. Minimum wage in this state has been raised to $16.66/hour in 2025. Note: While we do charge a small stipend for room and board to our employees, all who complete their contract will get that amount back at the end of the season as a bonus. Therefore, employees generally end up making far more than minimum wage with room and board factored in. After considering your application and your skills, strengths and availability and if we decide to employ you we will make you an offer depending on these factors. Our pay structure enables staff desiring to save money to do so. Our goal is to reward valuable employees well and to have you come back year after year. If you are the type of person who thinks life is one big party, then Stehekin is probably not for you. Drug use or alcohol use is not permitted or tolerated. Smokers do not generally fit in well with our goals or clientele.