What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Hostel Manager | Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard & Truro position at Hostelling International USA?
Spend Your Summer in Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard as a Hostel Manager!
This summer, we’re looking for seasonal managers to lead our Cape Cod hostels! If you’re passionate about travel, community, and spending the season in a breathtaking coastal destination, we want to hear from you.
Our three hostel locations include:
- HI Hyannis
- HI Truro
- HI Martha’s Vineyard
Join us in creating unforgettable experiences for travelers while leading a dynamic team in one of New England’s most iconic regions.
What to expect:
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone willing to do whatever it takes to create an exceptional hostel experience. You'll lead by example- working front desk and housekeeping shifts, solving problems on the fly, and ensuring a welcoming, clean, and friendly environment. No two days are the same, so adaptability, teamwork, and a proactive attitude are essential.
Position Details
Hourly Pay: $20.50-22.00 per hour DOE, includes private on-site housing. The Hostel Manager and Hostel Assistant(s) live on the property with shared facilities.
Availability: Must be available for nights, weekends, and holidays
Full-Season Commitment Required: Typically, May – Late September
Training will be provided before the season begins at our HI Boston location.
Although training will be provided, applicants must bring a strong passion for hospitality, guest service, and a commitment to HI USA’s mission of fostering travel and cultural exchange.
Responsibilities:
- Guest Services & Experience: Ensure a welcoming, safe, and clean hostel environment by greeting guests, providing orientation, sharing local tips, and fostering community engagement through activities.
- Operations & Compliance: Ensure cleanliness, safety, and quality standards by maintaining a consistent cleaning schedule, coordinating repairs, and enforcing policies.
- Staff Supervision & Training: Oversee and support staff, provide ongoing training, manage conflicts, and ensure high service standards.
- Reservations & Financial Oversight: Manage the Property Management System (PMS), process transactions, and complete accounting reports, including reconciliation and petty cash management.
- Group Coordination: Collaborate with the Regional Group Sales Manager to facilitate group bookings, orientations, and experiences.
- Guest Feedback & Quality Assurance: Monitor and respond to guest reviews, ensuring high standards for service and cleanliness.
- Inventory & Vendor Management: Track supplies, place orders, manage vendor relations, and coordinate shipments, including local travel for supply runs.
- Communication & Team Collaboration: Participate in team meetings, share updates, and contribute to operational improvements.
- Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Handle guest concerns, maintenance issues, and assist as needed to maintain seamless operations.
- Promote HI USA’s Mission: Support HI USA’s mission to foster global understanding through hostelling.
- Other Duties as Assigned: Provide additional operational support as needed.
Skills & Qualifications
- Leadership & Management: Three years of management experience or a bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience).
- Team Supervision: Experience managing staff, scheduling, and problem-solving in a dynamic environment.
- Financial & Property Management: Proficiency in cash handling, audits, purchasing, and property upkeep.
- Hands-On Work: Ability to lift, move furniture, make beds, assist with deliveries, and perform light maintenance.
- Time Management & Organization: Strong multitasking, prioritization, and adaptability skills.
- Communication & Crisis Management: Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and conflict resolution abilities.
- Tech & Systems: Proficiency in computer systems, including reservation platforms.
Bonus Points If You Have:
- Travel experience, especially in hostels!
- CPR certification
- Familiarity with Cape Cod
- Experience in hospitality
- Ability to speak a second language
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly sit and use their hands and arms. They will also frequently stand, walk, talk, and listen. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
ABOUT HI USA:
HI USA is a nonprofit organization founded on an enduring belief in the power of travel to foster a deeper understanding of people, places, and the world around. For over 90 years, HI USA has provided a network of affordable hostels to facilitate interaction among people from diverse backgrounds, from across the country and around the world. At HI USA, our core values of COMMUNITY, RESPECT, INTEGRITY and RELATIONSHIPS are our compass, guiding how we work together to build a better world; and these core values unite us in our mission to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling.
Salary : $21 - $22
