Living & Working in Great Places

Xanterra Grand Canyon South Rim

I've been offered a retail job with Xanterra south rim. I'm thinking of taking it while continuing to look for other jobs. Seems like people on this forum have generally bad things to say about working there, especially about the employee housing. Is it really that bad? Even if it is bad I might still take the job if I knew I could leave as soon as I found something else. The job offer specifies that I would be an "at-will employee" and could quit without notice. Is it really easy to quit when you want, or am I going to get down there and find that they want me to sign some longer contract, or try to quit and find that it's not that easy? I just don't want to get stuck long-term in a crappy situation. Thanks for any advice.

Tags: canyon, grand, rim, south, xanterra

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Permalink Reply by Shaun on February 17, 2008 at 6:21am: Hey that’s crazy, I also was offered a retail job at the South Rim and after reading about Xanterra or Xanterrible I am concerned. I am scheduled to arrive there on March 11, 2008. When are you scheduled to arrive? I hope somebody out there fills us in.
I will note that I have called the Xanterra Human Resources many times and they have answered my questions with no trouble. I also attended a recruiting presentation and my experience so far says that they are a very professional company. (Knock on wood)They were however SHOCKED to hear that there is bad press about them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lauren on February 17, 2008 at 8:06am: I'm scheduled to be there on February 27 so I pretty much need to decide ASAP whether to take the job. Have you heard bad things about Xanterra from places other than this site? It's a good sign that you've had a good experience with HR so far. I guess I need to give them a call too and clear up a few things.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joseph Herzig on February 17, 2008 at 12:01pm: I've worked for Xanterra at Crater lake national park for the last 4 summers and a lot of people there work South Rim for the winter. In the 4 summers at Crater lake there have been improvements in food and other aspects. No employer is perfect, but I'd advise you take some of the criticisms of Xanterra with a grain of salt, so to speak. I've noticed that on this discussion list some like to blame
their employers for everything.

I classify seasonal park workers into 3 general catagories: 1) The young and adventurous (college students and/or recent grads who are out for a little adventure); The old and adventurous (recent retirees, divorcees or those otherwise in for a little mid life adventure; and 3) the "walking wounded"
(unfortunate souls who haven't found their place in the world and are drifting from job to job). It is this catagory of people who seem to cause all of the trouble and be so critical of employers. It also seems to be them who get fired.

My advice is to give it a try at South Rim and, as you have noted, take advantage of your "at will" agreement if it doesn't work out. Also, if you encounter problems at South Rim let your manager and/or HR know right away and give them a chance to correct the problem. Good luck.

By the way, I am giving Lake Powell a try this summer. Crater Lake is beautiful but after ~250 trips around the lake through 4 summers I'd like to see something different. I start June 3rd.

Regards,

Joey H.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lauren on February 17, 2008 at 2:15pm: Thanks for your advice. I agree that you can't always judge a place by its internet reviews since people who had a bad experience are more likely to vent their anger by writing a bad review, while people whose experience was okay don't bother to write a good one. It's good to hear from someone who hasn't had a problem with Xanterra.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by AlaskaFound on February 17, 2008 at 5:43pm: To go work at the Grand Canyon is a right of passage i think into the world of seasonal work...Xanterra is what it is, that being a large corporate entity with a lot, i mean a lot of employees all over. You will feel this from the get go, so you just have to decide if thats what you want to deal with. If you are the type that just does your job and doesnt try to buck the system in anyway and treats the job for what it is, a position in an amazing place than you will have a great time. No body goes and shares a room with a stranger for the crappy employee dinning room food, it's the stuff that most people will never see or do. So i say go for it, and start living your life according to you and your heart. Reap what you sow. But most of all get out there and start living!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lauren on February 18, 2008 at 10:14am: Thanks for your advice.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by GemMeg on December 3, 2008 at 9:18pm: Well Said!!!! M.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jason S. on February 18, 2008 at 9:23am: I personally do not have a problem with Xanterra either, I will be going into my third season working for them at Mt. Rushmore. They are a smaller operation than South Rim or Yellowstone and I think that makes a difference also. The managers get to know everyone throughout the season and the employees are like family by mid-season. Good Luck with your job choice this Spring/Summer and update us in a few weeks/months on your thoughts of the place.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lauren on February 18, 2008 at 10:15am: Thanks, I appreciate your input.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Byrdy on June 13, 2008 at 12:47pm: I would like to say that even in the bigger parks like south rim and death valley the employees who are long timers become family and the concern and care is overwhelming. The South Rim friends I have are family. I will be going back for the third and last time hopefully in the next couple weeks. I got a job in Longmont and unfortunately they fired me two days later because of owner issues. I've been struggling every since and have decided to head back to the canyon.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Beth Howell on February 20, 2008 at 7:46am: Lauren,

Just to clarify: "at-will employer/at-will employer" means that you are not under contract to continue work for a company if you do not want to. It means that you can quit whenever you want/feel it is necessary, without giving notice. On the same hand, it means that the employer, Xanterra, does not have to give you notice to fire you. They can let you go whenever they want if you do something that is not "policy" or within your job description, and get in trouble.
I will start working for Xanterra in Yellowstone this April and its my first time as a seasonal employee. So far, I have been able to call them and get advice and info. They sent me a big packet of stuff about the job, things to do, places to stay, items to brings, etc. I am excited, but I realize that I will be working, and that I will not be living at home. Nothing is perfect, but I am up for a bit of adventure. And, if I don't like it and it can't be fixed, then I can quit, with no problem.

Best of luck. Keep your expectations somewhat on the low side. Remember it is a job, not a vacation. And bring your great personality to the mix to make whatever lemons you find there into a luscious lemon popsicle!
Beth; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lauren on February 21, 2008 at 8:12am: Thanks for the advice. I went abhead and took the job so I guess I'll see how it is for myself...; ▶ Reply to This