San Pablo Bay lighthouse needs new keeper [cool job opening]

SFGate ^ | November 30, 2008 | Carolyn Jones

[Daffynition]

Recently laid off? Don't despair. The job of a lifetime awaits you on a windswept island lost in time. Or at least lost in the fog.

A Richmond nonprofit is looking for a couple to serve as lighthouse keepers on East Brother Island, a 1-acre rock in San Pablo Bay. The winning applicants will keep tabs on the flashing Fresnel light and a pair of foghorns, and will run the inn housed in the 1874 lighthouse, which still has a functioning Coast Guard light.

"We've loved it out here," said outgoing lighthouse keeper Elan Stewart, 30, who's held the job for the past three years with his wife, Katy, 32. "It's definitely isolated but it's pretty easy to get to the city, so we get the best of both worlds."

The Stewarts, their two dogs and their 11-month-old son plan to move to Tacoma, Wash., to be closer to family.

"We'd probably stay forever if we could figure out how to get a pizza delivered," said Katy. "But it's been great. I love the independence of it. And the view, of course. And the neighbors."

The nearest neighbor is the harbormaster at Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor, a 20-minute boat ride around the point and into the harbor. Nonhuman neighbors include seals, sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, seagulls and the occasional lost turkey.

[snip]

[Daffynition]

East Brother Island is a 1-acre rock in San Pablo Bay that is the site of an inn housed in the 1874 lighthouse. (Frederic Larson / The Chronicle)

Elan Stewart, 30, has been lighthouse keeper on East Brother Island for the past three years, along with his wife, Katy Stewart, 32. (Frederic Larson / The Chronicle)

Katy Stewart strolls with her son Drake. The Stewart family's nearest neighbor is the harbormaster at Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor, a 20-minute boat ride away. (Frederic Larson / The Chronicle)

[jedi150]

How much does it pay?

[Daffynition]

$100K, health benes and housing.

[jedi150]

Darn good with the benefits

[Daffynition]

And I assume comes with the use of a boat.

[Vaduz]

Until that big wave arrives.

[Sacajaweau]

I applied for Lighthouse Keeper for the Sodus Point Lighthouse on Lake Ontario. I think they said they had about 250 apllicants.

I was disappointed but it was fun trying.

[6SJ7]

Wonder if you can get high-speed internet access on the island.

[Daffynition]