The Kitchen Manager works in a commercial kitchen located on the NOLS Rocky Mountain campus in Lander, Wyoming. The Kitchen Manager plans, creates, and serves delicious and nutritionally balanced meals to students and faculty. During the busier summer months, alongside the Assistant Manager, they take on a leadership role supporting several seasonal kitchen assistants. This position presents the opportunity to work on a team, create meals catered to diverse needs, learn new cooking techniques, and get creative!

This benefited position is 10 months per year, with unpaid time off from mid-December to mid-February (benefits remain intact for the winter break).

Key Logistical Information:

• This position is based in Lander, Wyoming USA. Only candidates with established US working rights will be considered. Current NOLS employees globally will be considered.

• Benefits: The full-time benefited role is eligible for Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending account, Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time off, 403(b), 403(b) contribution, and more.

• Start date: June 26, 2024

• Questions: Please contact katie_craig@nols.edu

What does the Kitchen Manager do?

As the Kitchen Manager, you'll work on a small close-knit kitchen team as part of the bigger Rocky Mountain campus operations team. You’ll be involved in the following: 

• Oversee the efficient and productive operations in a commercial kitchen and adjacent dining room.

• Prepare and serve meals to 10-75 people. 

• Plan menus, purchase food and supplies, and schedule shifts according to the campus operating calendar.

• Hire, train, and supervise temporary and seasonal Kitchen Assistants.

• Cater occasional special events and execute special projects.

• Work with the operations manager to develop the annual kitchen budget and long-term planning. Control and oversee kitchen expenditures.

• Ensure proper handling of food to avoid cross-contact of allergens.

• Cater to a range of dietary needs with care and excellence.

• Clean all food service areas at the end of each shift. This includes sweeping, mopping, dishes, and sanitizing surfaces in the kitchen, dining room, BBQ area, and storage areas.

• Promote practices that seek to reduce waste, reuse items, and recycle as much as possible.

What makes a great Kitchen Manager at NOLS Rocky Mountain? 

We are looking for people who share our values and are keen to learn and develop their expertise. We are looking for candidates with the skills listed below. We expect to provide training and development support in some of the areas.

• Experience, education, and/or interest in food service and kitchen management, especially for large groups and for people with food allergies and other dietary needs. 

• Supervisory and communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate needs and receive/provide thoughtful, timely feedback.

• Excited to work independently for the fall through spring, and lead a team during the busier summer season.

• Ability to work early mornings and weekends

• Ability to execute planning and budgeting.

• Committed to serving people with special dietary needs (e.g. Celiacs, vegan, peanut allergy) with care and excellence. 

• Able to lift and carry 50+ lbs (items such as bags of flour, full pots, and boxes of produce).

• Able to work while standing for extended periods of time, and able to function well in a variety of outdoor conditions (e.g. grilling outside on a hot summer afternoon).

• Proficiency with Google Suite and ability to learn new software. 

In your first 6 months, you will: 

• Plan, prepare, and serve meals to hundreds of NOLS students through meals in the dining room, “road meals” packed in coolers, and celebratory end-of-course outdoor BBQs.

• Lead the kitchen team through the summer season.

• Obtain food safety training through ServeSafe (this is a paid online training).

• Become intimately familiar with the Rocky Mountain campus operations and how the kitchen team fits into the puzzle. 

Who are we and what can we offer you?

NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that seeks to help people step forward boldly as a leader. We believe that anyone can be a leader; it is our role to provide the environment and training to help people discover their full potential. We do that in classrooms close to home and in remote wilderness areas around the world. We are an organization with heart, expertise, and wildness, and these qualities help us support powerful, authentic experiences.

NOLS really is a great place to work:

• We have locations in seven U.S. states, and six countries; and courses in all 50 U.S. states and over 10 countries.

• We have fantastic employee discounts on top outdoor gear brands

• Free outdoor equipment rentals

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available at a special NOLS rate to seasonal employees. 

• Wellness Time: Accrued leave that may be used for many HR-approved reasons throughout the season.

• Employee Assistance Program: Access to counselors that are available 24/7 to assist employees with work-life balance concerns.

Next steps

All you need to do is start the process by clicking on the button on the top right.

You’ll answer some questions that are related to your day-to-day job. After the job closes, your answers will go through our sift process: all answers will be anonymized, randomized and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers. If you are shortlisted, we’ll invite you to the next step, which includes an interview. 

Additional Information

Pre-Employment Check

• A criminal background check is required from all NOLS employees.

• NOLS participates in E-verify for U.S. employees, and other relevant employment verification systems based on location.

• Current NOLS employees please note it is NOLS policy to conduct an internal reference check with human resources and/or your current supervisor as part of the reference check process. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please contact peopleteam@nols.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NOLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetics information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or status as a protected veteran. The school’s nondiscrimination policy applies to all phases of its employment process, its admission and financial aid programs, and to all other aspects of its educational programs and activities. Retaliation directed to any person who pursues a discrimination complaint or grievance, participates in a discrimination investigation, or otherwise opposes unlawful discrimination is prohibited.

Reasonable Accommodation

NOLS values community and fosters a sense of belonging for our employees and applicants. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations in the workplace because they embody these values, as well as our operating principle of promoting a positive, safe, and learning environment. Reasonable accommodations may be requested for disability; limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; religion; and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or harassment. Reasonable accommodations may be requested at any point of the employment process, including during recruitment. Please email peopleteam@nols.edu with your request.