Here is your opportunity to learn from an exceptional team at Thomas E. Strauss, Inc. through a Summer Internship Program!
We welcome all those interested in a Summer Internship Program with Thomas E. Strauss, Inc. to submit an application to gain experience to fulfill requirements of a post high school degree program, including college, technical school and graduate studies. The internship program is designed to give you a well-rounded overview of the hospitality industry within our hotel, restaurants, retail stores and corporate services with your choice of business unit for the program which includes our hotel, AmishView Inn & Suites or Smokehouse BBQ and Brews and Miller’s Smorgasbord.
Positions Available:
- In 2025, there will be a total of 6 internship positions available, two for each of the business units listed below. Interns will be assigned to one primary business unit but get experience with several Thomas E. Strauss Inc., businesses. These business units will be:
- AmishView Inn & Suites
- Smokehouse BBQ and Brews
- Miller’s Smorgasbord
- Expectations:
- A friendly, professional demeanor towards coworkers and guests – after all our mission is to make people feel valued.
- Self-starter who owns the responsibility of the role.
- Show up to work on time, ready to work.
- Commitment to our values of diversity, integrity, excellence, accountability, community and FUN.
Internship Details:
- Applications: Applications are due by April 15, 2025, and we encourage early applications. All internships will be determined and accepted on a rolling basis with the last date of acceptance on June 16, 2025.
- Internships must start date by June 16, 2025.
- Internship Period: Minimum of 8 weeks.
- Hours: Minimum of 40 hours per week, exact hours to be determined by business unit manager based on business operations.
- Pay: Competitive pay!
- Discounted Meals: Interns are eligible for $5 meals while working and for a discount at the restaurants on days off.
- Employee Appreciation Days: Interns are invited to join in on Employee Appreciation Days.
- Goal: To provide a well-rounded experience for interns of all skill levels and interest.
- Program: The program will be broken into approximately 2-week periods so the intern can rotate through each area in their business unit. For hotel, this includes Housekeeping, Breakfast & Kitchen, Guest Services and Business Management. For restaurants, this includes Front of House, Back of House, Beverage Management and Retail Operations. Each intern will also get time with corporate support systems and business management.
- Additional Details: Program is adjustable based on previous experience and interest of the intern. Interns must provide school internship requirements to Thomas E. Strauss, Inc. Interns must be 18 at the start of the internship. Housing is not provided.
Our Businesses:
- Miller’s Smorgasbord
- Miller’s Bakery
- Anna’s Gifts & Sundries
- Locally Made Food Shop
- Smokehouse BBQ and Brews
- Plain & Fancy Country Store
- Plain & Fancy Restaurant
- AmishView Inn & Suites
- The Quilt Shop at Miller’s
- Plain & Fancy Country Store
- Thomas E. Strauss, Inc. Corporate Office
College Internship Program
Position Summary
To provide a well-rounded experience for interns of all skill levels and interests. This program is adjustable based on previous experience and interest of the individuals enrolled in it, and all participants will be familiarized with the topics listed below.
Each two-week class will also include time within our corporate office environment in which the intern will spend time in accounting, human resources, marketing, purchasing and group sales.
Hotel Internship: Two positions available
Housekeeping Department Basics: Two weeks with Housekeeping Manager and/or Supervisors to learn all the basics of service.
- Laundry
- Guest Rooms
- Public Spaces
- Event Setup/Tear Downs
- Inventory, Ordering, Receiving and Storage
Breakfast & Kitchen Basics: Two weeks with Kitchen Manager to learn all aspects of successful kitchen performance including flow of food, quality, consistency and safety.
- Safety and Sanitation
- Food Prep
- Positions: Open Cook, Dish, Grill
- Food Ordering and Receiving
- Food Costs
- Spend one to two days in one of our sister restaurants to experience a larger scale operation
Front Desk & Guest Service Basics: Two weeks with General Manager and/or Guest Service Manager to become familiar with learning the basics of the hotel front desk position.
- Answering Phones
- Making and Canceling Reservations
- Guest Interactions and Guest Recovery
- Interdepartmental Communications
Business Management: Two-weeks with General Manager and/or Assistant General Manager will give you an opportunity to learn about some of the financial considerations of running a hotel in a practical manner and practice being a successful manager in the day-to-day business of the hotel operations.
- Scheduling (Weekly and Daily)
- Revenue Management
- Budgeting and Pace Reports
- Leadership Traits and Values
- Recognizing Right Job Fit when Hiring
Restaurant Internships: Four positions available
Front of the House Basics: Two-weeks with General Manager and/or Guest Services Manager to learn all the basics of service: menu knowledge steps of service, seating rotations, family-style group service.
- Hosting
- Food Running/Bussing
- Serving
- Group Serving
Back of the House Basics: Two weeks with Kitchen Manager to learn all aspects of successful kitchen performance including flow of food into and out of the kitchen, quality, consistency and safety.
- Safety and Sanitation
- Line Setup
- Line Cooking
- Prep
- Food Ordering and Receiving
Beverage Management: Two weeks with General Manager and/or Guest Service manager to become familiar with the alcohol offerings of the restaurant and learn the basics of beer, wine, and spirits and become comfortable behind the bar.
- PA Liquor Laws/RAMP Certification
- Alcohol Inventory and Ordering
- Beer/Wine Cocktail Demos
- Bar Setup/Breakdown/Service
Retail Operations: Two weeks with a Retail Manager will give you an opportunity to learn about retail operations in one of our gift shops with a focus on guest interactions.
- Cash Register Sales Transactions
- Guest Communications
- Restocking and Inventory Management
- Importance of Product Knowledge
Business Management: Time with the General Manager will give you an opportunity to learn about some of the financial considerations of running a restaurant in a practical manner and practice being a successful operator in the day-to-day business of the restaurant.
- Running Shifts
- Scheduling (Weekly/Daily)
- Staffing Plans
- Inventory/Food Cost
- Budgeting/Monthly Counts
Putting it All Together: Intern chooses the area (FOH/BOH/Bar/Retail) that they’re most interested in and spends two-weeks focusing on operational tasks associated with the area.
Essential Requirements of the Internship:
- Must be 18 or older
- 8 weeks minimum
- Flexibility and being able to adapt in a fast-paced environment
- Being open to learn all facets of a hospitality business
- Ability to interact with guests to provide a great guest experience
- Supporting all members of the team
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
- Communication skills
- Time management
- “Safety First” focus
- Able to follow directions and communicate with guests and coworkers effectively
- Display a positive attitude at all times
- Deliver a high quality of work to ensure we are providing top notch service
Requirements
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must occasionally drive. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
Note
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
