North Cascades Institute seeks a qualified, enthusiastic professional Food Services Manager to lead our Kitchen Team. Based out of the Institute’s field campus in North Cascades National Park, this position supports food services at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, which serves up to 80 children and/or adults per day on a five to seven-day-a-week schedule. This position works closely with many Institute staff, partners and contractors to support a wide array of educational programs. This includes the Foodshed Project, the Institute’s initiative to incorporate local, organic products in the operation of the Learning Center.

Qualifications

Required: 

• Enthusiasm for and experience with “Foodshed” principals and the “Slow Food” movement.
• At least five years’ culinary experience, which includes kitchen management, recipe development, budgetary oversight and supervision.
• Enthusiasm for the mission of North Cascades Institute.
• A high level of computer skills including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to motivate staff and foster a positive calm workplace environment.
• Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks with exemplary time management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to very accurately track the many details of Institute programs.
• Ability to work longer days, evenings, and weekends, as Learning Center operations, education and programs require.
• Experience with database systems (ex: Salesforce).
• Basic first aid training.
• High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
• Ability to comply with a smoke- and drug-free work environment.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds consistently.
• Final offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check that may include employment history, national criminal background check, national sex offender registry search and a driving history check.

Preferred: 

• Previous food service experience at other residential learning centers, camps, schools or similar facilities.
• Professional food service experience in an institutional setting, preparing diverse, health-conscious meals for children and adult groups, including foods that incorporate fresh, local and/or organic ingredients.
• Fluency in multiple languages, Spanish preference.

Responsibilities

Food Preparation and Service:

• Prepares meals as needed.
• Responsible for food and supply ordering.
• Creates age-appropriate menus for children in overnight programs (primarily weekdays) using recipes for consistency, cost control and serving size, avoiding unnecessary waste.
• Creates menus for adults in overnight programs (primarily weekends) that range in price, options, quality and service levels.

Supervision and Management:

• Lead for hiring, training and evaluating kitchen staff.
• Provides training on overall procedures and practices (Salesforce, food safety, etc.).
• Supervises, schedules and approves payroll for kitchen staff.
• Meets and checks in regularly with all kitchen staff.
• Seeks to implement foodshed goals in kitchen operations.
• Assists kitchen staff with coordination of kitchen operations as it interfaces with youth or adult programming.
• Purchases kitchen equipment.
• Aides in developing new vendor relations in order to increase local/organic purchasing year-round.
• With Learning Center Manager, streamlines day-to-day on-campus events and improves Salesforce.
• Coordinates special events.
• Manages food service contractors, caterers and rentals if/when required for special events.
• Coordinates backcountry pantry in cooperation with Youth Leadership Adventures and Adult Program Managers.
• Oversees marketing of foodshed information.
• Reports regularly to Learning Center Director on operations, personnel, and coordination.
• Performs annual performance review of regular staff and edits job descriptions for all kitchen positions.
• Develops streamlined food delivery service.

Budgeting:

• Responsible for annual budgeting and monthly reports, communicating regularly with Learning Center Director and/or Finance Director.
• Routinely analyzes food costs in relationship to program needs, audience appeal, cost comparisons and supplier options.
• Participates in inventory protocol in coordination with accounting staff.

General:

• Participates in Institute’s Program and Operational teams.
• Participates in budget and strategic planning, inter-office communications and other duties as assigned by the Learning Center Director and/or Executive Director.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Seeks to recruit, hire and support a diverse workforce.
• Support programs that are welcoming to and supportive of a diverse audience.
• Supports and actively contributes to the Institute’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives.
• Support equity initiatives at North Cascades Institute and actively contributes as a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible to everyone. Develop a personal equity, diversity, and inclusion related goal(s) and track progress towards your goal(s) with your supervisor.

Work Environment

• Willingness to commute to and work in a remote National Park including experiencing snow-covered roads, avalanches, wildfire, smoke, wild animals, and flooding.
• This job operates in an indoor kitchen environment. This role routinely uses standard kitchen equipment such as stoves, freezers, dishwashers, knives, etc.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• This position requires the ability to often lift kitchen products and supplies, up to 50 pounds.

Compensation

This is a regular, full-time (40 hours per week), exempt position. Wage is $55,000-$60,000 annually, DOE. Benefits include paid time off, holiday pay, health insurance, long and short-term disability and life insurance, tax deferred annuity and contribution retirement plan, and a yearly stipend to participate in Institute  programs. Shared staff rental housing may be available at $150-300 per month. Pets and smoking are not allowed in housing or on campus.

Start Date 

As soon as possible

Equal Opportunity Employer

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at North Cascades Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs. 

About North Cascades Institute

North Cascades Institute requires all employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot and to provide proof of inoculation unless a reasonable accommodation is approved. All new hires are expected to comply with these requirements upon employment.

North Cascades Institute's mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. Since 1986, we have helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages and backgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so all will care for and protect this special place.

North Cascades Institute is a respected leader among U.S. environmental education organizations, and we believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity. The Institute is in sound financial health with a $4 million budget and strong reserves, and 15 four-star ratings with Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.