Help us with our vacation rental business in Radium Hot Springs, Canada

Details

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  Description

  Hi! My name is Natasha and I live with my partner Darren, 5 year old daughter Zara and baby Fae (born Feb 2023) in Radium Hot Springs BC. Our little business provides management services to 15 vacation rentals: think hotel services but spread out over a valley. Radium is home to approximately 700 year-round residents, but that number grows to thousands during the summer! People will travel far to visit the beautiful Columbia Valley, for its incredible mountains, lakes, hot springs, and wildlife. We live on the border of Kootenay National Park, and are very close to several other national parks such as Yoho and Banff. Radium is the ideal spot for those who love to hike, swim, paddle, camp, or simply enjoy the views and tranquility. We're also close to many ski resorts and in the winter you skate on Windermere Lake's famous 34km Whiteway. And of course there are the hot springs: Lussier, Radium and Fairmont Hot Springs are all accessible year-round.
  
  The work: We have recently narrowed our focus and now manage 15 vacation rentals in the Columbia Valley. These properties vary from one tiny house on an acreage to townhouses and luxury condos.
  
  Disclaimer: This is a paid position. We have recently narrowed our focus and downsized our business to 15 managed vacation rentals. I mention this as our reviews may indicate a large team (we used to house up to 14 people at one time!) and we now have 2-4 workawayers at any time. This is paid work, however the hours vary per season and this isn't the place to make a lot of money in a short time. It's a great place for those looking to enjoy all that the mountains have to offer, while staying in comfortable free housing and earning a bit of an income. Our preference is for independent or self sufficient travelers looking for a longer stay (4-6 month minimum in order to get to know all of our properties). You will not find a party atmosphere here :) If you're still interested, please read on!
  
  Where we need help: The bulk of our paid work is in cleaning. Cleaning vacation homes isn't easy. My own background is in hotels and our philosophy was that a room so look as thought no one has been in it before. I have carried this idea over to vacation homes. Details, consistency, and efficiency are all very important. High aesthetic and cleanliness standards have to be met in order to maintain our Superhost credentials! Read on below as more details are covered...

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Hospitality/Tourism
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Location is everything, and the people are pretty great too! Radium Hot Springs was named Canada's friendliest town in 2021 (if that isn't Canadian!). You're two minutes from beautiful trails and don't need to go anywhere to see wildlife - the bighorn sheep and wild turkeys frequently visit our front yard. Your evenings and days off may be spent at the hot springs (4 minute drive away), by a campfire, at the lake, or paddling down the river. We're happy to provide you with contacts and information on all there is to do around here. Panorama Ski Resort is 30 minutes away.
  
  Want to learn about BC's Indigenous people? Darren is from a remote native village and has a wealth of information on Canada's first people. I (Natasha) am happy to share any hospitality knowledge if you're looking to develop specific skills. Zara is excellent at digging in dirt and finger painting and would be overjoyed to share that passion with you.

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

  Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.

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  Help

  Wondering what your days might look like?
  
  The job duties are similar to what you might expect in a hotel. Most of your assigned work will be to clean short-term rentals between guest stays. The majour difference is that you will be driving (or sometimes walking) from one apartment or home to another.
  
  Warning: Cleaning is HARD physical work. Please consider yourself warned! Most do adjust over the first weeks, but this work isn't for everyone.
  
  We also ask that you assist us in delivering consumables or linens (toilet paper, coffee, extra towels), and help us troubleshoot minor issues (replace batteries in keypads, tighten toilet lids, reset a modum - the list here is endless and we'll guide you through it!).
  
  Finally, we have some front-of-house duties which include assisting us with guests. Darren and I have been working in this field for many years and are happy to have reached a place where we too can get away on occasion! This also includes going to his very remote home nation of Kingcome Inlet during our shoulder seasons. In Kingcome there is no cell service (there is wifi, but I can't stay indoors ALL day ;) . Your duties during this time would be to answer urgent texts and calls from guests to assist them with any pressing needs (can't find their accommodation, don't know how to use the keypad, connect to the internet - you name it!). The volume of call while we're away are very low, but we do require a local contact and have a troubleshooting guide to all of our properties!
  
  Most work days start between 9 and 11 am, and end between 4 and 7pm. Your work app will tell you where you need to go, and how long the clean will take. Some days you will clean three condos, and other days you may clean one big house. Don't worry - there's lots of training and support along the way! Once you're done training, you will either work independently or with 1 other person (couples can do most jobs together). We have an employee package which covers much, much more, but we won't get into all of it here.
  
  Things you will need: The correct visa, work permit and insurance, and a smart phone (we will provide a phone for guest texts and call when we're away). A vehicle is preferred but not required. Be sure to let us know about your transportation needs. We do highly recommend coming with a vehicle. If you use your own vehicle for work we will help with fuel costs and pay for the drive time between properties. We may be able to provide a vehicle for work, however it will be insured for business use and can only be used in the valley.
  
  We provide: comfortable accommodation, all cleaning supplies and tools, paid training, and vacation pay (paid out each pay period). Pay is $17.40/hr.
  
  Skills required: attention to detail, ability to work physically hard, adaptability (hospitality is often unpredictable), and a desire to do a good job! Experience is preferred, but we will train the right people!
  
  Peak seasons are mid-December to mid-January, and July-end September (May long until June is fairly busy as well). During these times you can expect 25-40 hours/week. Our shoulder seasons will vary between 10 and 20 hours per week. A lot of this work can be flexible, however back to back cleans (guests checking out and in on the same day) must be completed during turnaround times, which are typically 11am and 4pm.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Our staff accommodation is located 800 meters from the village of Radium. We own a modern home (built in 2007) with 2 suites - upstairs is 2 bed 2 bath, and downstairs is a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom suite. Couples will have their own room, and solo travelers will share a bedroom (depending on the season) with 2 single beds. You will have a kitchen, dining area, living room with TV and Chromecast or Roku, washer/dryer, and small backyard.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Our wifi isn't incredible (small town) but we do have unlimited data! Browsing and Netflix is fine!

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  Can possibly accept pets

  One well mannered dog will be considered. We do need to run it past the other workawayer sharing your space, and a damage deposit of $400 is required. We have a fenced yard.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  10-40hrs a week, see description

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