Wilderness Cabin Caretaker

Barr Camp, Inc. is looking for two individuals for a minimum commitment of one year to manage, operate, and live at its remote, yet highly visited cabin on Pikes Peak in Colorado. This position requires applicants dedicated to the well-being of the camp and guests, many who will be experiencing a mountain setting for the first time. This position requires a myriad of skills including but not limited to customer service, maintenance, logistics, bookkeeping, janitorial, cooking, and both applicants must be physically fit, able to hike and live at an elevation of 10,200 feet above sea level.

BARR CAMP CARETAKERS for a FULL TIME POSITION – MINIMUM ONE YEAR COMMITMENT

Summary – Barr Camp is a non-profit organization, located on Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs, CO that provides support to approximately 23,000 trail and 2,300 camp users annually. Caretakers live and work at the Camp, and may have trail users (guests) at any time. Responsibilities include constant customer service and support, camp maintenance, cooking, cleaning, systems management, logistics, and interagency support. Compensation includes room and board as well as a monthly pay-rate and a health insurance allotment.

Qualifications – Applicants for the Barr Camp Caretaker position must have outstanding people skills, a strong work ethic, and should take evident joy in tackling ever-changing situations with a positive mindset.  Applicants must be willing to undertake physical work in all types of weather, at an elevation of 10,200 feet and be able to access the camp by foot over 6.25 trail miles with an elevation gain of 3,500 feet.  Barr Camp provides an interesting and rewarding way to interact with diverse people from around the world, in a beautiful location. Applicants should look at this position as a life experience rather than a “job.” Approaching this position with an attitude that it is about the camp and the guests, not one’s self will lead to a satisfying experience.

Due to the responsibilities/location/living quarters of this position, it is not possible to have children living with you. 

Responsibilities and Expectations – Full-time Caretakers are required to fulfill a one-year commitment to Barr Camp. Caretakers must present a professional environment that requires consideration of trail and camp users above personal needs and must be able to handle long days on their feet during the long summer season. Full time caretakers are responsible for the daily operation of Barr Camp and fulfill roles from paying bills and collecting fees to janitors, handyman to cook and dishwasher, reservation and office manager to wood gatherer. Preparation of monthly financial statements has been outsourced to a professional accountant. Caretakers ensure that the camp runs smoothly by purchasing supplies, and coordinating with contractors/the cog train to schedule supplies and necessary work. In addition, caretakers must be able to perform manual labor such as wood and water hauling during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. The position requires a positive attitude, and applications must be physically active. Please see additional information, below.

COMPENSATION for FULL TIME POSITIONS – Barr Camp will provide room and board.  The salary range for this position is $2,500 – $3,300 per person per month depending on qualifications and experience. A medical insurance allotment of $400 per month and mileage reimbursement for work use of personal auto are also part of the compensation package. Four weeks of vacation, annually, is provided. 

Application Deadline – Open until filled.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – PLEASE READ

WHAT IS BARR CAMP?  Barr Camp is a non-profit organization.  The Camp consists of two cabins, three lean-to shelters, and a composting toilet facility at 10,200 feet on the east side of Pikes Peak (summit 14,115 ft.).  The Camp is located on the very busy Barr Trail, which is the main route to the summit of Pikes Peak.  In the winter months, you will see 3-30 people per day, and in the summer, expect 200-500 people a day.  There are overnight guests year around, with guests every night June-to September.  Fall to spring, there are many nights without guests. There must always be a caretaker present in camp.  You must be available to answer questions, sell snacks, and maintain the cabin for the visitors.  For the overnight guests, you will cook simple, hearty meals:  Spaghetti dinner with homemade garlic bread and Pikes Peak Pancakes.  In our quieter times, you will do maintenance and general upkeep.  Please see www.barrcamp.com to help you better understand Barr Camp’s mission and to get a feel for the camp.

Barr Camp is off-grid, with limited electricity from solar and a battery storage system.  Water is filtered from the stream, wood is hauled for heat, and caretakers use the same outdoor composting toilet facility that hikers and campers use.  Historically, supplies are delivered by the Cog Railway. Propane powers the cookstove and cabin lights, and delivery is once a year and is a limited resource.  Normally, all supplies and food come up on the cog railway, and then caretakers move them the 1.5 miles to the Camp.  There is an ATV and trailer for moving supplies from the railway to the camp, but often caretakers pack in the perishables.  One of the caretakers does the shopping and drops the load off at a volunteer’s house for transfer and delivery.

LIVING QUARTERS and Main Cabin – Caretakers stay in the main cabin, in a small loft area.  There is not much space but enough to have your own personal area and effects. Doors are locked at night to provide privacy, however there may be trail users who need assistance at night and knock on the door at all hours.  You can eat with the guests or prepare your own meals/snacks.  There is a small shower stall. There is also additional living space in a separate canvas yurt, although there must be someone in the main cabin at overnight.  As a permitee of the National Forest Service, it is crucial to offer a welcoming camp to all guests in a neutral fashion. Part of that means the cabin remain free from personal effects. In other words, family photos, holiday decorations, etc. should remain in caretaker living space.

HOURS – 24/7/365, 366 on leap year!  Someone is always on duty.  This means someone is always in the Camp.  Most days start at 6:00 am, sometimes earlier.  While you are not required to be awake during the nighttime hours, occasionally emergencies may occur.  Some days are extremely busy, especially in the summer months. On the other hand, some winter days are very slow and quiet, you must be able to handle both ends of the spectrum.  This position is such that your days are varied, always different, and as a caretaker, you need to be flexible and adjust to the changes that occur throughout the day.  For example, a quiet day can turn hectic if a rescue occurs as dinner preparations are underway.  None of this position is rocket science, but being a jack of all trades and master of none is helpful. It is often the case that two people working together as a pair bring a good balance of different skills to the position.

DUTIES – The requirements here are much like the hospitality or service industry. Much of caretaker time is spent on customer service. It is critical that you enjoy and can endure people and repetition of the same questions again and again.  You must be able to engage in conversation with guests of all walks of life and of all sorts of personalities.  You will be available to visitors and guests to answer questions, to provide first aid, trail, and weather information. 

Daily duties also include cooking meals, washing dishes, cleaning the cabin and bathrooms, and maintaining the camp systems (water, electricity, wood, propane, composting toilet) and buildings. You should expect some long days on your feet, especially in the summer months. It is impossible to go over everything that might be required, though further discussion with qualified applicants can provide more insight.

Cooking is a big part of the day, particularly in the summer when the Camp will serve dinner and breakfast up to 45 overnight guests.  The cooking is not difficult, and the process has been streamlined.  Dinner is spaghetti dinner with homemade sauce and garlic bread.  For breakfast, Pikes Peak Power Pancakes made from scratch and of wholesome ingredients get the hikers up the mountain.  For your own meals, you will be able prepare you own food.

Experience in the following is also desirable; computer skills and basic administrative skills.   Candidates should be capable of analytical thinking, have the ability to trouble shoot problems, have basic handyman skills including simple housing- and vehicle-maintenance. Willingness to cook from scratch from supplies in root-cellar storage. Eagerness to learn skills and operations too numerous to mention. 

SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE – There are four main systems which keep the camp operating: 1) Solar Panels 2) Water delivery from stream 3) Composting Toilets 4) Wood for heat.  Each of these requires learning a skill set that is not difficult but very important.  Any past experience in these areas is a plus.

LOCATION – This is one of the perks of the job, you cannot beat the location. Barr Camp is located in the Pike National Forest.  There is no road access.  The elevation is 10,200 feet above sea level.   If you have pre-existing breathing problems, the altitude may be a consideration.  We are 6.25 trail miles from the town of Manitou Springs. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS – The hike to the camp is 6.25 miles uphill to 10,200 feet elevation.  As caretakers you must be able to handle the hike when needed.  You must be comfortable on your feet all day.  Heavy lifting consists of 50# flour sacks, boxes of food items, water buckets, and firewood.  In a nutshell, it can be said that the work and lifestyle is an exercise in functional fitness!

FUN!!!! – It is not ALL work, but the amount of work is what surprises people this information is to make that clear. Aside from the work, Barr Camp is a very unique and special place, in a very beautiful environment. Camp visitors appreciate what we do and you must appreciate the visitors. There is a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end of every day, sometimes to the level of helping save life or limb.  One of the repeated questions visitors ask is, “How did you get this job,” followed by “you are so lucky!”  The people who pass through the camp are often inspirational (i.e.: the 82-year-old marathon runner), always entertaining, and normally very thankful for the respite, advice, safety and knowledge the Camp and caretakers provide.  Sharing people’s attempt at climbing Pikes Peak, being a part of that experience is a responsibility to be taken seriously.  For some, it is a weekly run to the summit.  For others, it is a major undertaking, sometimes solo, sometimes shared with their family.  The people are what makes this job what it is.