Dishwasher - Wooden Nickel

Work Hard. Play Hard. Live Fully in Crested Butte.

Ready to take your hospitality career to new heights, literally? Join Elk Ave Hospitality in beautiful Crested Butte, Colorado, where a professional career path in hospitality meets the unmatched lifestyle of mountain living.

We offer competitive hourly pay based on experience, employee housing opportunities, and thoughtfully structured schedules designed to support a strong work-life balance. Here, you can build meaningful experience while still having time to enjoy everything this incredible mountain community has to offer.

Whether your passion is skiing first tracks, biking wildflower-lined trails, fishing alpine waters, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Rockies, this is your chance to create a life that blends professional growth with personal adventure. We are looking for motivated, team-oriented individuals who take pride in their work, value hospitality, and want to be part of something bigger.

About Elk Ave Hospitality

At Elk Ave Hospitality, we are proud to operate a growing family of restaurants and hospitality businesses in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley. Our collection of venues offers a wide range of guest experiences, from elevated dining to approachable everyday hospitality, all rooted in quality, consistency, and genuine care for our guests and our team.

We believe hospitality can be both a craft and a career. With multiple venues, varied concepts, and opportunities for advancement, we are able to offer year-round employment, cross-training, and real pathways for growth. We are building a company for people who want to work hard, contribute to a strong team culture, and grow their skills over time.

We are growing quickly and actively building career paths for people who want to develop their knowledge, expand their skills, and contribute to a strong hospitality culture. Our core values are Communication, Humility, Accountability, Integrity, and Respect.

About Wooden Nickel

Wooden Nickel is a historic part of the Crested Butte community and a long-standing fixture in the town’s hospitality landscape. With deep local roots and a legacy that reflects the character of Crested Butte itself, Wooden Nickel carries a sense of familiarity, tradition, and mountain-town charm that has made it meaningful to generations of guests and locals alike.

As part of Elk Ave Hospitality, Wooden Nickel continues that tradition by offering a guest experience grounded in warmth, consistency, and genuine service. It is a place where history, community, and hospitality come together. For team members, Wooden Nickel offers the opportunity to be part of a venue that is not only well known, but genuinely woven into the story of Crested Butte.

Position Summary

The Dishwasher plays an important role in supporting daily back-of-house operations at Wooden Nickel. This position is responsible for maintaining cleanliness, sanitation, and organization across dish, kitchen, and support areas to help ensure the entire operation runs smoothly and safely.

This role is ideal for a dependable, hardworking team member who takes pride in cleanliness, moves with urgency, and understands the importance of supporting the kitchen at a high level. The right candidate will bring consistency, reliability, and a strong team-first attitude.

This position also offers an opportunity to grow within Elk Ave Hospitality and can serve as an entry point into future culinary advancement.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive hourly pay based on experience


• Employee housing opportunities


• Opportunities for growth and advancement within Elk Ave Hospitality


• The chance to live and work in one of Colorado’s most remarkable mountain communities


• Paid training


• Supportive team environment

Key Responsibilities

Dishwashing and Sanitation

• Operate commercial dishwashing equipment safely and efficiently.


• Wash dishes, glassware, utensils, pots, pans, and kitchen tools thoroughly and consistently.


• Maintain clean and sanitary dish, sink, and washing areas throughout each shift.


• Ensure all cleaned items are properly organized, dried, stored, and returned to service areas as needed.


• Follow all health, safety, and sanitation standards at all times.

Kitchen and Facility Support

• Support the kitchen team by maintaining clean floors, mats, trash areas, and workspaces.


• Remove trash, recycling, and waste as needed to keep work areas clean and functional.


• Help maintain cleanliness and organization in back-of-house storage and support areas.


• Assist with general cleaning tasks and closing duties as directed by kitchen leadership.


• Communicate equipment, sanitation, or maintenance issues to leadership in a timely manner.

Teamwork and Operational Support

• Work with urgency and consistency to support the pace of service.


• Communicate clearly with cooks, chefs, and fellow team members throughout the shift.


• Assist with basic prep, stocking, or support tasks as directed by leadership.


• Contribute to a positive, hardworking, and team-oriented kitchen culture.


• Support the overall success of the operation by staying organized, dependable, and ready to help where needed.

Qualifications

• No prior experience required; training will be provided.


• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn.


• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.


• Strong attention to cleanliness, organization, and follow-through.


• Positive attitude and team-oriented mindset.


• Reliability, consistency, and willingness to support the team wherever needed.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Previous dishwasher, steward, janitorial, or kitchen support experience is a plus.


• Familiarity with food safety, sanitation, and cleaning practices is preferred.


• Ability to stay organized and productive during high-volume periods.


• Ability to follow direction and work effectively as part of a team.


• Interest in culinary growth and advancement within a professional kitchen environment.

Physical and Position Requirements

• Must be able to stand and move continuously for extended periods of time.


• Must be able to bend, lift, twist, reach, and carry throughout each shift.


• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.


• Must be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment.


• Must be able to work mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as needed in a seasonal hospitality environment.


• Must be able to work in an environment with hot water, wet floors, temperature fluctuations, cleaning chemicals, kitchen equipment, and loud background noise.

Important Position Information

This is an hourly, non-exempt position. Compensation is based on experience. Hourly positions are not immediately eligible for health benefits or paid time off.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

Success in this position means helping maintain a clean, organized, and well-supported kitchen environment where the team can perform at a high level. This person works with consistency, urgency, and pride, lives the core values, and helps ensure Wooden Nickel delivers a clean, safe, and efficient operation every day.