Assistant Cook

Concordia College; Bemidji (MN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid holidays

Tuition discounts

Job summary

Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota is seeking an Assistant Cook to support the Culinary Arts team in preparing high-quality, culturally authentic meals for program participants. You will assist with food preparation, kitchen operations, and meal service while upholding safety and cleanliness standards.

The role requires hands-on kitchen experience, ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain it within 12 months, and flexibility to work varied shifts including evenings and

Qualifications

• Hands-on food preparation experience in commercial or institutional kitchens.
• Availability for a varied schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and serve culturally authentic meals following recipes and schedules.
• Follow food safety procedures and maintain records.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchens and dining areas.
• Assist with meal service and events while providing welcoming service.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Food safety

Communication

Teamwork

Education

ServSafe certification

Job description

Position Details

• Position Title: Assistant Cook
• Department: Culinary Arts
• Location: Bemidji, Minnesota
• Employment Type: Staff, Hourly Non-Exempt, Full-time
• FTE: 1.0
• Benefit Eligible: Yes
• General Employment Period: Year-round
• General Work Schedule (days of week): Varies, including evenings and weekends
• General Shift Hours: Varies, including evenings and weekends
• Position Opening Date: 10/12/2026
• Open Until Filled?: Yes

Why Concordia Language Villages?

At Concordia Language Villages, a program of Concordia College, your work contributes to something bigger. Every role plays a part in creating immersive experiences that inspire curiosity, build connections across cultures, and prepare people to engage thoughtfully with the world. Here, you'll join a collaborative community where your contributions are valued, and your work can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our participants.

About the Role

As an Assistant Cook with Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota, you'll help prepare and serve high-quality, culturally authentic meals that are an important part of our immersive language and cultural experiences. Working alongside the Culinary Arts team, you'll support food preparation, kitchen operations, and meal service while maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for participants, guests, and staff.

What You'll Do

• Prepare, cook, and serve culturally authentic meals for Village programs and special events, following established recipes, menus, and production schedules.
• Prepare meals that accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies, following food safety, sanitation, and cross-contact prevention procedures.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, and service while monitoring inventory and communicating supply needs.
• Clean and maintain kitchens, dining areas, equipment, and food preparation spaces, including dishwashing, waste disposal, and routine equipment inspections.
• Maintain required food production, inventory, and temperature records.
• Support meal service and special events, providing welcoming service to participants, guests, and staff.
• Contribute to the immersive language-learning environment through positive interactions and the use of target languages whenever possible.
• Assist with other operational needs and support fellow team members as assigned.

You'll Thrive Here if You:

• Take pride in preparing quality food and appreciate the role that food plays in connecting people and cultures.
• Enjoy working collaboratively in a busy kitchen where everyone contributes to a successful meal service.
• Are dependable, organized, and attentive to food safety, cleanliness, and detail.
• Can adapt to changing schedules, priorities, and program needs while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Enjoy working with people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and find meaning in supporting a mission-driven organization.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who brings hands-on kitchen experience, takes pride in preparing quality meals, and enjoys contributing to a collaborative, culturally diverse environment. The ideal candidate is dependable, adaptable, and committed to safe food preparation and excellent service.

Required Education & Experience

• Relevant food service experience involving hands-on food preparation and production in a commercial, institutional, or similar kitchen environment.
• Availability to work a varied schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on program needs.
• ServSafe certification or a comparable food safety course certificate, or the ability to pass the ServSafe exam within the first 12 months of employment.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Experience with quantity cooking, institutional food production, or other high-volume food service operations.

Required Skills and Abilities

Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Ability to follow recipes, menus, production schedules, food safety procedures, and written instructions while maintaining required records.
• Ability to use email and basic computer applications for communication, scheduling, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to provide instruction and guidance to other staff in maintaining kitchen and operational standards.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing needs.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Commitment to cultural authenticity, participant experience, continuous improvement, and high-quality culinary operations.

Benefits and Salary

Concordia College is proud to offer a competitive total compensation package:

• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Preventative Chiropractic Program
• Retirement Plan
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (full-time only)
• Life Insurance (full-time only)
• 13 Paid holidays including the time off between Christmas and New Year's
• MN Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Up to 100% tuition with discounts and scholarships for yourself and dependents at Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages
• Up to 50% tuition discount for dependents with Oak Grove Lutheran Schools
• Up to 100% tuition discounts for dependents with participating partners: CIC-TEP, ELCA schools, and Tuition Exchange Inc.
• Extras: access to athletic facilities, library, fitness classes, athletic events, theatre events, purchase dining on campus, free MATbus rides

Salary: 15.00 - 17.00 USD Hourly Wage

The final salary will be determined based on factors such as education, experience, skills, certifications, and alignment with the position's requirements. Other considerations may include internal equity and market conditions.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Concordia College does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status. The College is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to the Office of Human Resources, Concordia College, 901 8th Street South, Moorhead, MN 56562, 218-299-3339.