Cook - Part Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Join the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as a Cook, where you'll prepare and serve a variety of food in a vibrant environment dedicated to wildlife conservation. This part-time role offers competitive hourly rates, benefits like free admission to the zoo, and a chance to be part of a team that impacts conservation efforts worldwide.

Benefits

Free admission to the San Diego Zoo

Family Passes

Complimentary Tickets

Local and In-House Discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Program

Qualifications

• Experience in culinary techniques and food handling.
• Knowledge of sanitation and safety methods for food.
• Ability to operate commercial equipment.

Responsibilities

• Serves orders for food and beverages.
• Prepares and cooks menu items.
• Coordinates and supervises other food service employees.

Skills

Proper food preparation methods

Sanitation and safety methods

Effective leadership skills

Understanding recipes and menus

Supervising and training kitchen helpers

Education

Culinary school or experience in a full service restaurant

Job description

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Expires Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 9:59 AM

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION The Cook under general supervision performs a variety of moderately difficult duties in the preparation and cooking of a variety of food items served in the various retail food service operations. This position reports to the Chef. WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Serves orders for food and beverages
• Prepares and cooks menu items and other dishes
• Follows food orders
• Portions, arranges, and garnishes food
• May coordinate and supervise other food service employees
• May serve food at food stands and perform cashier duties

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park Retail Operations team is seeking candidates with top-notch interpersonal skills to provide a world-class guest experience. Candidates with problem solving skills to identify practical solutions and teamwork skills to work well with others are highly desirable Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be considered for the position.

• JOB EXPERIENCE
• Culinary school and/or experience working in a full service restaurant; techniques, knowledge of equipment, basic food handling, preparation, and cooking skills.
• SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
• Proper preparation and cooking methods for a wide variety of food items
• Sanitation and safety methods for food preparation/handling
• Basic inventory controls
• Effective leadership skills
• Cook and bake food in large quantities
• Operate commercial equipment and utensils
• Understand recipes and menus;
• Evaluate and determine food condition, doneness, and decorations
• Understand and carry out instructions
• Keep simple records
• Supervise and train kitchen helpers

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
  

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Position Type: Hourly, Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Union Position - If selected, there will be fees and dues to be paid to the union
• Hourly Rate: $21.68

Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail [e-mail] . If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.

Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team!

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to [e-mail] and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.