Yosemite Beats the Bushes to Find Employees for 800 Summer Jobs.

by Lisa Aleman-Padilla
Fresno Bee - April 23, 2004

Yosemite National Park attracts almost 4 million visitors a year to its spectacular landscape and breathtaking waterfalls, but it struggles every summer to fill 800 seasonal jobs.

Efrain Robles, a food-service worker from Mexico in the U.S. for two weeks, serves meals Thursday at Yosemite Lodge Food Court. John Walker / The Fresno Bee

Delaware North Cos., concessionaire for the park and other worldwide attractions, started recruiting for the Yosemite positions in November. The company has about 1,200 year-round employees, but the need increases during the summer to 2,000 workers.

Hiring representatives visit job fairs and college campuses and advertise in trade publications, searching for seasonal workers to staff Yosemite-area restaurants, hotels, recreation and transportation services.

"We have quite a few needs for this summer still," said Kerri Holden, spokeswoman for DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite.

A lack of staff has never forced the company to shut down recreational activities or close restaurants and hotels, but it does require "creative staffing" or overtime and split shifts, she said.

It's a common summer scenario nationwide, as those in the hospitality industry struggle to fill temporary jobs nobody seems to want.

Some companies, including DNC, have depended on overseas workers to fill the void.

This year, however, U.S. immigration officials cut off applications earlier than usual for temporary visas, or its H-2B program, which has an annual limit of 66,000 workers.

Johann Grove works under a dogwood tree. He's one of 28 workers from South Africa employed by the Yosemite concessionaire, Delaware North.

The temporary visas allow foreign nationals with various skills to work in the U.S. for nine months. It was the first time the agency turned away applicants before the end of a fiscal year. DNC is hiring workers this season on the H2-B program -- about 28 of its Yosemite associates are from South Africa -- but is concentrating this year on hiring domestic employees, said Joe Rabon, human resources manager for DNC.

"We hope to draw from the local communities," he said.

That has proven difficult in past years, despite jobless rates hovering near 17% in some areas of the central San Joaquin Valley.

One obstacle is the public's perception of Yosemite as only a "summer job," Rabon said. Most people are unaware of the employment opportunities it offers year-round.

Average hourly wage for nontipping positions is $7.38, though trades jobs, such as a mechanic, pay competitive salaries.

Another challenge is the lack of housing in Yosemite Valley, a detriment to families needing to relocate for a year-round position.

Some of the company's full-time employees live in Yosemite, which has a population of 265. Others car pool from El Portal, Mariposa, Oakhurst, Fish Camp and Coarsegold, where more housing is available.

DNC offers on-site housing to employees but does not accept families. Two or three employees live in wood-framed, canvas-tent cabins or dormitory rooms with kitchen access. Rents start at $45 per month, including utilities.

An optional meal plan is available for $45 a week, or employees can take 50% off cafeteria meals.

Rock climbing, rafting, horseback riding and bicycling also are available at half-cost to employees.

Some associates discover they enjoy the lifestyle and seek management opportunities.

Juston Streby, assistant manager of rental operations, began his DNC career as a seasonal worker at the Badger Pass rental shop and later as a raft stand attendant at Curry Village.

When a year-round management position became available this spring, he jumped at the chance.

"Most of the jobs are fun," he said. "I would encourage people to come up here and try it out for the summer."

Streby, 23, an Ohio native, came to Yosemite in November 2002 to visit his brother during a college break. He never intended to stay.

"Once I got here, I didn't want to leave," he said. "It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life."

Rabon said drawing potential year-round workers such as Streby to Yosemite is only a small part of DNC's long-term goals.

The company is encouraging people to consider careers in hospitality and the value of seasonal jobs in gaining experience, he said.

"We've partnered with culinary schools, and we have them come and do their internships at hotels like the Ahwahnee Hotel. Some of them choose to stay, others use that experience on their résumé."