Lodge Assistant Executive Housekeeper, Jessica Reinertsen, Grows Close Bond with Her Team

Jessica Reinertsen is a veteran at Oneida Nation Enterprises’ Housekeeping Department. Having started at ONE in 2004, she has forged a successful career path – and she has loved every minute of it.

Coming from a food service company just down the road off of Route 365 in Verona, Jessica was looking for a job that had consistent, stable shifts so she could care for her young daughter. She originally applied to be a bartender, but eventually was directed to a housekeeping position that would ultimately prove to be a better fit for her and her lifestyle.

“When I first started, I never thought of housekeeping as a career for me, but I fell in love with it and you get close to a lot of people that work here, which makes it fun."

Jessica quickly moved up within the housekeeping department – moving from a turndown attendant when she first arrived to her current role as Lodge assistant executive housekeeper in 2018. In between, she held roles as housekeeping team lead, dispatcher and supervisor at the Tower hotel. 

“Our team is very tight knit.  You grow a bond with fellow employees here and you get to know each other personally, all while working in a fun environment for a great company.”

Jessica grew up in Lee Center (halfway between Rome and Camden) and now resides in Sylvan Beach. As a lifelong local resident, she has seen firsthand the progress the Oneida Indian Nation has made, especially as a valued employer for the region. And with the recent pandemic that saw many people lose their jobs, ONE continued to provide employees with the critical benefits, including health care, that kept many people safe and secure during uncertain times.

“I hear stories from my friends about how their employers weren’t paying for health insurance or anything like what the Nation did for us,” Jessica said. “It makes you feel appreciated at your job, but also appreciative of your job because you know they’re behind you and they’re going to help you.”

That sense of community at ONE continued throughout the pandemic. 

“You hear from people saying ‘Oh wow, they did that for you guys? They’re really taking care of their people,’” Jessica said when describing what the past year has been like amid the pandemic. “And I always say, ‘That’s why you work here. Anything you need, they’re there to help you out.”