Overview
Job Posting: Wilderness Lodge Maintenance Specialist (With Woodworking & Milling Opportunities)
Company: China Bay LLC dba Odyssey Lodge. Location: Homer, Alaska area Position Type: Full-Time / Year-Round / On-Site Base Compensation Full Time: $60,000 to $65,000/year + Free On-Site Staff Housing
Or Part Time if Homer, AK based with Free on-site housing when needed.
(Plus performance-based higher earning potential for sawmill & furniture production)
About Odyssey Lodge & The Position
Odyssey Lodge is seeking a self-reliant, resourceful Maintenance Specialist to manage our site operations, heavy equipment, power infrastructure, and facility maintenance.
We operate 5 miles across Kachemak Bay from Homer, Alaska which means we rely on a practical problem-solver who doesn't wait for outside technicians when something breaks. If you have deep backwoods experience, know how to pull off a solid "bush fix" to keep critical systems online, and take pride in proactive preventative maintenance, this position is built for you.
Core Responsibilities (Lodge Maintenance)
- Power & Fuel Operations: Oversee primary and standby diesel generator operations, test and maintain fuel quality, manage fuel storage/transfers, and execute strict preventative maintenance schedules to guarantee reliable power.
- Heavy Equipment Operation: Safely operate heavy machinery (excavators, loaders, tractors, site vehicles) for land clearing, material haulage, and site projects.
- Troubleshooting & Multi-Trade Repairs:Rapidly diagnose and repair general mechanical, plumbing, low-voltage/electrical, and structural carpentry failures using available tools and materials.
- Preventative Maintenance: Run a disciplined maintenance schedule across all lodge structures, machinery, small engines, and utility systems to prevent downtime before it happens.
- Site Supervision: Maintain lodge grounds, access points, and mechanical facilities to ensure safety and full operational readiness.
Bonus Opportunity: Sawmill & Custom Woodworking Shop
- The Setup: We have an on-site sawmill that is 70% complete, a stack of cut spruce logs ready to mill, and an extensive, fully equipped woodworking shop facility.
- The Opportunity: For a candidate with strong woodworking and sawyer skills, there is an opportunity during the off-season to complete the sawmill setup, mill spruce slabs, and produce custom indoor/outdoor live-edge furniture.
- Higher Pay Incentive: Candidates who take on the sawmill completion and custom furniture production will have the opportunity to earn higher compensation / project bonuses tied to shop production and custom furniture lines.
What We’re Looking For
- Backwoods & Remote Experience: Comfortable working in isolated settings where self-reliance is mandatory.
- Mechanical Ingenuity: Skilled in field-repairs ("bush fixes") on diesel generators, heavy equipment, small engines, and lodge utilities.
- Heavy Equipment Savvy: Proven experience safely operating machinery in rough terrain or changing weather conditions.
- Handy Across Trades: Practical working knowledge of minor electrical, basic plumbing, and structural carpentry.
- Woodworking Experience (Preferred):Familiarity with sawmills, rough-sawn lumber, or custom furniture making is a major plus.
- Self-Motivated Leader: Someone who takes total ownership of both the maintenance logs and shop production without needing to be micro-managed.
What We Offer
- $60,000 to $65,000 Base Annual Salary Full Time or Part Time if Homer, AK based.
- Free On-Site Staff Housing(Private housing provided on lodge grounds)
- Higher Earning Potential for taking on sawmill and woodworking production
- An independent, hands-on role in a beautiful wilderness environment
(Note: China Bay LLC dba Odyssey Lodge does not offer employee health, dental, vision insurance, or retirement/401(k) programs.)
To Apply:
Send your work history, preferably with a summary of the equipment/systems you’ve maintained and machinery you’ve operated; and photos of any woodworking or mechanical projects you've completed to: [email protected]
Gary’s introduction/explanation: The job description below was provided by Indeed AI unrequested. It’s well thought out but unspecific to remote maintenance. What Odyssey needs is outlined above. AI spells out some of the basic details below.
We are seeking a proactive and skilled Maintenance Specialist to join our dynamic facilities team. In this vital role, you will be responsible for ensuring the optimal operation and maintenance of building systems, equipment, and infrastructure. Your expertise will help create a safe, efficient, and comfortable environment for all occupants. This position offers an exciting opportunity to apply your technical skills across a variety of maintenance tasks, contribute to facility reliability, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Perform routine inspections and preventive maintenance on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and building interior systems to ensure operational efficiency.
- Troubleshoot and repair electrical equipment, plumbing systems, HVAC units, and facilities equipment using schematics, hand tools, and testing devices such as ohmmeters.
- Conduct welding, carpentry, painting (including maintenance painting and residential painting), and other repair work to maintain the building’s interior and exterior spaces.
- Utilize CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) software to document work orders, track maintenance activities, and manage inventory of parts and tools.
- Supervise or assist with projects involving electrical work, HVAC system repairs, plumbing system maintenance, or facilities upgrades while adhering to safety standards.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations by inspecting facilities equipment and performing necessary repairs or adjustments.
- Provide excellent customer service by responding promptly to maintenance requests from staff or tenants and communicating effectively about ongoing repairs or issues.
Skills
- Extensive knowledge of mechanical systems, electrical equipment repair, plumbing systems, HVAC systems including repair and troubleshooting.
- Proficiency with schematics, technical manuals, hand tools, electrical testing devices such as ohmmeters, and power tools.
- Experience with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), electrical work, maintenance painting (including residential), carpentry, and facilities maintenance.
- Strong understanding of MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) procedures along with experience using CMMS software for work order management.
- Ability to read technical schematics and diagrams for electrical wiring, plumbing layouts, HVAC controls, and building interior systems.
- Supervising experience in maintenance operations is preferred; leadership skills are essential for coordinating team efforts.
- Excellent communication skills in English to effectively collaborate with team members and external vendors.
- Knowledge of safety protocols related to electrical work, plumbing repairs, HVAC servicing, welding techniques, and general facilities maintenance.
Join us as a Maintenance Specialist where your technical expertise will directly impact the safety and functionality of our facilities! We value proactive problem solvers who thrive in a fast-paced environment—your skills will help us maintain high standards of quality while supporting a positive workplace atmosphere.
Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
