Cook - Mount Rushmore National Memorial

XANTERRA TRAVEL COLLECTION; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site meals

Housing (dormitory-style)

Laundry facilities

Employee shuttle service

Travel discounts

Job summary

Xanterra Travel Collection at Mount Rushmore National Memorial is hiring a Cook to join the Food & Beverage team in the Black Hills. You will prepare customer orders, assist with cafeteria offerings, grab-and-go meals, and banquets while upholding company and regulatory standards.

This full‑time, year‑round or seasonal role typically runs 40 hours per week with a pay of $15.70 per hour. The position emphasizes food safety, recipe adherence, cleanliness, and teamwork in a fast‑paced environment

Qualifications

• Culinary degree and 4 years of kitchen experience in fast casual or quick service.
• Customer service excellence is required.
• Strong listening and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Self-starter with minimal supervision and adherence to guidelines.
• Ability to adapt training to different skill levels.

Responsibilities

• Cook, portion, and garnish customer orders.
• Prepare foods for cafeteria, grab-and-go, and banquets in compliance.
• Maintain high sanitation and cleanliness of kitchen equipment.
• Prepare vegetables, meat and other foods according to recipes.
• Ensure training of others and adherence to standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

Overview

Live. Work. Explore. as a part of our Food & Beverage team at Mount Rushmore National Memorial!

Located in the beautiful Black Hills region of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open year-round and operates retail shops and a variety dining outlets serving convenient grab-and-go meals and coffee. No matter what your job is, you will be a proud steward of the park and play an essential role in providing warm and friendly hospitality to all our guests.

We’re hiring a Cook to Live. Work. Explore. in Mount Rushmore!

Job Summary

Works in the kitchen area to cook customer orders ensuring Company and regulatory standards are met. Will also assist in preparing foods for cafeteria, ready-to-serve packages, and banquets.

The Details

• Position Type: Full-Time, Year-Round, or Seasonal
• Season Dates: September 2026 - October 2026
• Pay: $15.70/hr
• Schedule: Typical schedule is 40 hours, 5 days per week (may include weekends, evenings, and holidays)

Why Mount Rushmore National Memorial?

We are a welcoming community who work hard, share a real passion for the environment, and enjoy crafting memorable experiences for our guests. As part of the Xanterra Travel Collection®, we are the primary authorized concessionaire in Mount Rushmore, and proud stewards of the park.

Life in Mount Rushmore:

• Employee housing (dormitory-style) and on-site employee meals (cafeteria-style)
• On-site laundry facility, Wi-Fi (limited bandwidth), employee shuttle service available during peak season
• Fast-paced, exciting work environment with plenty of upward mobility and growth opportunities
• Meet people of all ages from all over the country and world
• The adventure of a lifetime!

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Disability Insurance
• 401k with match
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs
• Learning and Development Programs

Perks

• Black Hills VIP Training Pass Discounts for local attractions
• Retail, Lodging and Travel Discounts
• Planned employee trips and activities
• $350 Referral Bonus Program
• South Dakota does not have state income tax deductions

Responsibilities

• Cook/makes, portions and garnishes food orders for customers
• Ensure that company and regulatory standards are met, including but not limited to prepares food according to recipe and proper temperatures and food is stored and held at proper holding temperatures
• Ensure cleanliness and sanitation is exceeds high standards, to include but not limited to, cleaning various kitchen equipment such as grease friers, flat top griddle, vent hoods, oven and steam kettles; cleaning various kitchen tools and utensils, taking out garbage, sweeping and mopping the floors, and supporting company sustainability efforts
• Clean, cut and portion out vegetables, meat and other food for use in recipes or grab and go meals
• Prepare menu items according to set recipes
• Help ensure that others in the kitchen and cooking areas are trained and keeping to the set company and regulatory standards
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Culinary degree and 4 years’ experience in a kitchen across fast casual and quick service facilities. Work experience can substitute for formal education.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to listen and effectively communicate.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where project priorities, task deadlines, and assignments can change quickly and with little notice.
• Must be a self-starter who can work with minimal supervision while working within set guidelines.
• Ability to adapt training methods to different skill and ability levels.

Physical Requirements include:

• Constantly standing, walking, handling, reaching outward, carrying and lifting 10 pounds or less, and push/pulling 12 pounds or less.
• Frequently reaching over shoulder, squat/kneeling, bending, carrying and lifting 11 to 50 pounds, and push/pulling 13 to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally sitting, climbing, crawling, carrying and lifting 51 to 100 pounds, and push/pulling 26 to 40 pounds.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.