Kitchen Cook

Sierra Nevada Journeys; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meals on shift

Paid sick leave (CA)

Paid holidays

403(b) with up to 4% match

Spanish language bonus potential

Discounted youth camps for family

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Journeys is seeking an experienced Cook for our Portola, California camp. This is a full-time, seasonal position October to November 18, 2026, with potential renewal for the 2027 season. Meals are provided on shift and a strong emphasis is placed on hospitality and teamwork.

Responsibilities include preparing meals for 225+ students and staff, maintaining clean kitchens, and working weekends and evenings as needed. ServSafe California certification is required.

Qualifications

• Basic kitchen knowledge is required.
• Customer service skills are required.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and stay organized.
• Willingness to work varied shifts including weekends/evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Prepping and cooking meals for campers and staff.
• Maintain a clean and safe kitchen and dining areas.
• Maintain kitchen and dining hall areas; manage supplies and sanitation.
• Follow safety and sanitation guidelines; report safety concerns.
• Collaborate with Kitchen Manager and team to deliver high hospitality standards.

Skills

Basic kitchen knowledge

Customer service

Multitasking

Mobility

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Push heavy carts

Cleaning products

Shift work

ServSafe California

Adaptable

Job description

Cook $17- $19 per hour, with meals while on shift.

Full-time, Seasonal Position, October to Nov. 18, 2026, with the opportunity to renew for the 2027 season, Feb - Mid-November 2027

Sierra Nevada Journeys Environmental Education Camp, Portola, California

We are actively hiring for the 2025 Season. This position will remain open until filled.

Sierra Nevada is seeking an experienced Cook familiar with a fast-paced environment. A successful candidate is capable of working well with colleagues and can multi-task. The candidate must also be available to work weekends and evenings as needed. Duties include prepping and preparing camp meals for 225+ students and employees, three meals a day, and being ServSafe® California certified. This also means working effectively with a team while delivering the highest hospitality and customer service for our students and guests. Cooks directly report to the Kitchen Manager or Kitchen Lead.

Standards of Performance and Conduct (each item below is an essential function) include:

• Consistently demonstrates and incorporates principles of safety, loss prevention, and risk management for self and others into daily activities. Attends required safety training and participates in safety drills and exercises.
• Ensures tools and equipment are always in good working order and uses equipment safely.
• Consistently maintains an acceptable level of productivity.
• Requires punctual and regular attendance. Time away from work is approved and taken by established policies.
• Performs job duties in a prompt, thorough, and acceptable manner. Performs responsibilities in a manner that promotes team concept and reflects Sierra Nevada Journeys’ mission and ethics.
• Works cooperatively with all organization employees, participants, customers, and others contacted while performing duties.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Prepping and cooking high-quality meals for campers and employees
• Maintaining a clean work environment
• Maintaining all areas of the kitchen and dining halls
• Cleans floor of any spillage of water, detergent, or food stains, per safety and sanitation guidelines
• Washes worktables, walls, floors, and department equipment
• Transfers supplies and equipment between storage and work areas
• Clocking in and out for shifts as well as your 30-minute meal break (unpaid time off)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic kitchen knowledge
• Customer service skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Walk and stand much of the time.
• Lift and carry for a short distance of up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift 50 pounds.
• Push heavy-wheeled carts.
• Use commercial cleaning products; read and understand usage instructions for cleaning products and supplies.
• Work a variety of shifts, including days, evenings, and weekends
• Have abeing ServSafe®California certificate
• Adaptable to a fast-paced environment

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $17 - $19 per hour
• Meals at camp while on shift
• Accruable paid sick leave according to CA Paid Sick Leave law (maximum of 5 days)
• Eligible for paid holidays
• Optional 403(b) retirement plan and up to a 4% match by Sierra Nevada Journeys
• Potential for an additional 3% pay for Spanish fluency or other languages relevant to supporting our programs
• 50% off Sierra Nevada Journeys’ youth camps for immediate family

Sierra Nevada Journeys is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ individuals representing its surrounding communities' rich diversity of cultures, language groups, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.