hotel housekeeper

sous chef

park ranger

front desk agent

security officer

Catalina Island Company

The job experience with the Island Company is exciting at 1st.  They own almost everything on the Island which is a good perk.  You can also move up the ranks quickly by default. Benefits and pay can be good depending on the department you work for, but you will be worked to death during high season.    Once the honeymoon is over, you get to realize how dysfunctional and inconsistent management really is and there is a prominent "boys" club on the executive and upper management levels.  Housing for employees is expensive and tough to find and not in the best condition, (old and moldy).  A lot of the employees are overworked because they work 2-3 jobs and are visibly unhappy, while some employees are only there to collect a check, doing the most minimal work possible.  Executives and upper/middle management are sourced from the mainland and there is a divide between the mainland and island offices and also a disconnect with the owners' expectations.  The divide is also huge between the Island Company and locals.  If you are a seasonal worker or contractor, it starts off being a lot of fun.  Outside of work, there's a heavy drinking culture and you can make a lot of good friends this way.  There are a lot of visible changes taking place right now, including new products, renovation and the management staff is like a revolving door.  Rules are always changing because of this.  Some departments don't get along and it's every man for himself. You must absolutely have thick skin to survive and work for this company.  Company morale is down and lack of management and HR support is visible.  Every so often, they'll clean house and do companywide lay offs.  Don't expect to stay any longer than 2 years if you value your health, sanity and lifestyle.

Worked here for a few years, was promised a raise but never got one. They said it looked good on paper because minimum wage went up. Low pay/Expensive housing. If you are coming out here to save money, you won't because they charge so much for rent (for a shared small room, with no bathroom), if you are coming out here to enjoy the island you won't have time, because you will be working all the time.  INCREDIBLY HIGH turnover - for management, year rounders, and seasonals alike, although they don't pay enough attention to care. The CEO/VP make it a point to make everyone feel replaceable, they don't respect the locals. The owners are out of touch with how the island works. People who work for the company on the mainland tend to be happier. The most heartless company I've ever worked for. The only good thing that came out of it is I went to college so I would never have to work for a company like this again. Luckily, it was completely paid for by the state, because how little money I was making. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working on Catalina Island. It is difficult to describe how wonderful it was working on Catalina Island. Good employers, enjoyable passengers, scenery was beautiful. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Vehicle break down, though not many,  meant no work. Some back country roads were a challenge driving after rain.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The environment is much like working on a ranch. Folks were helpful and enthusiastic about their job. The company expected us to follow the rules and procedures. Sometimes it was not clearly spelled out.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
My schedule started usually at 9 am. I check which vehicle I was assigned to then complete the pre-trip inspection of vehicle. The leave garage and go to pick up passengers. Introduce myself and explain basic rules. During tour I would talk about the history while driving through route. At end of tour assistance passengers off vehicle. Return vehicle to garage. Complete paperwork, turn it in and head home.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Is that you get to be outside to see the beauty of it all. Maybe seeing the wildlife, seeing the beautiful pacific ocean, the beaches, the campgrounds. The aftermath of the cloud coverage from a sunset. All the seasons. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The lack of communication, from the supervisors to the employees.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It is on Catalina island, beautiful can be fast paced, stressful catering to the tourist industry. Also a sense of calming & rewarding . Of the knowledge you had given , as well the satisfaction of the guests are content & happy.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I am a tour guide, tour driver. I drive hummers which is guided ,narrated.  Talk about the history, flora & fauna . In a safe , fun  comedic manner.

It's a big company and your experience can vary. Some of the management is absolutely amazing, and others are the opposite of that. I had a great position and a great experience. The best part of working for the island company is that you're stuck on an amazing island. The worst part about working there is that you're stuck on the island. The island is remote in a lot of ways, shopping isn't what you're used to on the mainland, and you don't have the same amenities that you're accustomed to on the mainland. However, the island is away from all the hustle and bustle of the mainland. It's relaxed, and most of the stresses of mainland life, don't exist on Catalina.

This could have been a great working experience except for the incompetence of management. 
There’s zero care for employees. The atmosphere is toxic and backstabbing.  Long term employees generally live in fear of losing their jobs. 
They don’t want competent hardworking people. The experience you bring to a position seemed more detriment and valued. 

Number one, housing provided is in need of updating, cleaning. Cost of housing is "fair market value" for LA County, but it is old and not maintained. Mold is a problem.
Social life is limited and not enhanced by the company. Workers in certain departments actually unhappy and not working as a team. 
If you want a quick way to save some money seasonal jobs are plentiful but long stay makes life a dead end here.

It was a great place to work, Fun and fast paced. You will  definitley meet lots of cool people from all around the world and make long life friends. I had a great expirence but i didnt have housing provided by the company. People who have company housing will probably say bad things about their situation because its been on going for years(Company housing is terrible), But if you are seeking a summer job or internship then this may be a great option for you.

I only have negative things to say about the island company. They don't care about their employees. If they did, they would hire competent management who helps and inspires their employees. Instead the insecure managers work to undermine the employees and forward thinking is not appreciated. There was one woman in administration who was nice to deal with, but didn't make up for how lowsy the rest of them were.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Living on the waterfront in an area that many pass through.
You can make strong connections internally and externally to the company.
Pay is serviceable.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Depending on which department you are in you could be swamped depending on the part of the season.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Laid back, but still professional and timely.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Hotel housekeeper 4 salaries reported	$20.90 per hour
Sous chef 4 salaries reported	$87,000 per year
Park ranger 3 salaries reported	$18.67 per hour
Front desk agent 2 salaries reported	$22.38 per hour
Security officer 1 salary reported	$22.66 per hour

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