Head Cook

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids; Middleville (MI); On-site; USD 20,953 - 26,188; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA Membership

12% retirement contribution

Paid sick time

Training and development

EAP services

Job summary

YMCA Camp Manitou Lin in Middleville, MI seeks a Head Cook for a seasonal role through mid‑November. The position oversees meal prep, food storage, and kitchen custodial tasks, with early mornings and weekend duties as needed.

The candidate will lead shifts in the absence of the Food Service Manager, assist with deliveries, and ensure compliance with Michigan health regulations. Seasonal, non-exempt compensation is offered with benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; 1–3 months restaurant or cafeteria cooking experience, or related cooking volume experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to prepare foods for special groups (dietary restrictions).
• Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles.
• Ability and desire to work with children.

Responsibilities

• Lead shift when Food Service Manager is not present.
• Check in food deliveries and assist with inventory process.
• Assist Food Service Manager with Summer Food Service Program.
• Insure cleanliness of the Kitchen at the end of service, end of shift, and end of day.
• Help to oversee preparation of meals for campers and guests.
• Maintains stored food in accordance with State of Michigan Health Regulations.
• Cleans all utensils used in food preparation and food services.
• Cleans kitchen facility in accordance with State of Michigan Health Regulations.

Skills

Food preparation

Team leadership

Inventory management

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Relevant cooking experience or training

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

ServSafe Certification

CPR Certification

First Aid Certification

Blood Borne Pathogen training

ICHAT background clearance

Job description

Description

This is a seasonal position at YMCA Camp Manitou Lin, located in Middleville, MI, until mid-November.

Position Summary

The Head Cook is responsible for helping to oversee the preparation and distribution of meals, maintenance of food storage, and custodial services of kitchen, dishes, and food appropriation. This position requires face‑to‑face leadership and may involve early morning, evening, and/or weekend responsibilities.

Essential Functions

• Works directly with Food Service Manager to help insure the smooth operation of Food Service Department
• Lead shift when Food Service Manager is not present
• Check in food deliveries and assist with inventory process
• Assist Food Service Manager with Summer Food Service Program
• Insure cleanliness of the Kitchen at the end of service, end of shift, and end of day
• Help to oversee preparation of meals for campers and guests
• Maintains stored food in accordance with State of Michigan Health Regulations
• Cleans all utensils used in food preparation and food services
• Cleans kitchen facility in accordance with State of Michigan Health Regulations

Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

Compensation

$15.21 - $19.01; Seasonal, Non‑Exempt

Benefits

• Free YMCA Individual Membership – Enjoy full access to facilities.
• Retirement Savings – 12% employer retirement contribution, no match requirement (upon eligibility) and a 403(b) savings plan.
• Paid Sick Time – Earn paid sick leave so you can focus on feeling your best when it matters most.
• Professional Growth – Access to ongoing training, development programs, and career advancement opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential resources and counseling for you and your family.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED); one to three months restaurant or cafeteria cooking experience, or related cooking volume experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Ability to prepare foods for special groups (i.e. dietary restrictions). Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. Ability and desire to work with children.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration

• ServSafe Certification
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification required within the first 60 days
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or scheduled form.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk for prolonged periods of time and over great distances, lift 50 lbs or more repetitively throughout the day, perform repetitive stooping and bending with frequent lifting of light and heavy objects, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat/cold. Must be able to mount and dismount a horse in an emergency situation without aid.

Travel

0-5% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.