The Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS) is a non-profit adventure-based education organization that emphasizes personal growth through challenge and experience. For over 60 years our wilderness courses have focused on inspiring responsibility, teamwork, confidence, compassion, and environmental and community stewardship.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Colorado Outward Bound School celebrates diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment for all employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nation origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment is based on qualifications and business needs. Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect and will report any suspected abuse or neglect.

Working at the Colorado Outward Bound School means joining a growth-minded community where we are actively creating a more inclusive organizational culture. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion shows up at all levels of the organization – in our trainings, in our meetings, on our courses, and in our daily lives. This work can be challenging at times and we are committed to navigating it together to create a supportive and inclusive environment for our staff and our students. To foster a more welcoming outdoor community for all, we are working to address barriers related to race, culture, socioeconomics, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, geographic location, and mental health.

Position Summary

The Rocky Mountain Program (RMP) Kitchen Manager supports COBS’s mission to change lives through challenge and discovery through management of the dining halls and culinary needs of students and staff. The Kitchen Manager is a member of the logistics team and reports to the Associate Program Director (APD) of Logistics. The Kitchen Manager is responsible for preparing and cooking food for students, staff, and guests, planning and managing inventory and equipment orders; and maintaining a clean and hygienic kitchen, dining halls, and storage areas. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning, preparing, and cooking nutritious, delicious, and practical meals for up to 100 students, staff, and guests.
• Able to accommodate special diets and food preferences with reasonable and economic & healthy alternatives.
• Ensures kitchen and dining areas maintain cleanliness and sanitation standards, including workspace cleaning, managing rags and apron stock, following all safety and sanitation protocols and regulations. 
• Restocks South Dining Hall kitchen food on an as-needed basis, manages food deliveries and puts away all orders when received.
• Manages inventory and creates bi-weekly food orders that support upcoming kitchen needs, including quantities and dietary needs.
• Maintains accurate record keeping and submits all invoices to supervisor to ensure strong accounting practices.
• Trains, supervises, and mentors any staff working to support kitchen needs during the summer season.
• Reports maintenance issues and concerns to the Facilities team.
• Engages as a member of the RMP community through attending team meetings, program functions, and other events.
• Committed to openly sharing and receiving feedback from staff and colleagues. 

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Personal commitment to, and working knowledge of, the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Comfort with a wide range of groups serving and educating youth to executive teams.
• Experience working in customer service or hospitality, and ability to foster a welcoming environment for staff and students in the dining halls.
• Ability to effectively work on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people and identities, including those that might be different than your own lived experience.
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills, including ability to manage food safety standards, costs and pricing, schedules, and shipments and deliveries.
• Able to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proactive and effective communicator and collaborator.
• Comfort with handling unexpected issues that arise and troubleshooting and creating alternative solutions.
• Possess skills to promote a welcoming and inclusive community culture.

Work Experience

• Kitchen management experience preferred.
• Experience with menu and meal planning for large groups.
• Experience cooking for large groups, safe food handling techniques, kitchen and food sanitation systems, and nutritional accommodations.
• Food Manager License & State Food Manager certification & training Handlers required, or willingness to obtain upon hire. COBS can provide assistance to obtain upon hiring.
• Experience working with youth and managing group dynamics.
• Must have held a driver’s license for over 5 years with a clean driving record if operating COBS vehicles.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on your feet for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 50 pounds.  

Compensation and Benefits

• Full-time, seasonal (mid April-September) nonexempt position with an hourly pay rate of $20.00 an hour.  
• Flexible Hours: The general schedule is approximately 22 days/month based on a 5 out of 7 days/week schedule, which many need to flex due to programming needs, with weekends and/or holiday work required based on COBS’s program calendar.
• 56 hours of paid Sick Leave.
• Potential onsite housing options available.
• Prodeal eligible.
• Meals provided while working with students and food options available while working out of our warehouse 
• Paid training in outdoor education facilitation, backcountry risk management, technical skills 
• Employee Assistance Program including free counseling sessions 
• Eligibility for up to $1,000 in professional development funds after first season 
• Outdoor professional gear discounts 
• Ability to borrow gear from the COBS equipment library 
• Access to a network of outdoor professionals: COBS is part of an international network of Outward Bound schools. Joining our community will open doors to a vast network of education professionals and potential for employment at our partner schools in the US and around the world. 

Application Process

Please apply using the application link on our website (www.cobs.org/connect/employment) and address cover letter and resume to Tara Marcilla, RMP Associate Program Director of Logistics. 

**Colorado Outward Bound School is an E-Verify Employer**