Shoals Marine Laboratory Relief Chef

University System of New Hampshire; Durham (NH); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The University System of New Hampshire seeks staff for meal planning and preparation at Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, serving up to 100 residents and visitors. Responsibilities include food preparation, kitchen cleaning, dishwashing, storage, and supervising student workers and volunteers while maintaining a safe, sanitary kitchen focused on sustainability.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States, pass background checks, and enjoy working in a remote educational

Qualifications

• Experience in preparing meals for groups and remote locations.
• Ability to work with students, faculty and staff in isolated environments.
• Knowledge of basic kitchen sanitation and safety practices.
• Comfort with lifting and moving supplies up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Assist or lead planning and preparation of up to 20 meals per week for 100 people.
• Perform food prep, transportation, kitchen cleaning and storage.
• Supervise student workers and volunteers.
• Provide excellent customer service and foster inclusivity.
• Support sustainability efforts and reduce food waste.
• Respond to emergencies and assist with vessel crew duties as needed.

Skills

Food service

Teamwork

Safety

Emergency response

Physical stamina

Job description

This position supports meal planning and preparation at Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, ensuring up to 100 residents and visitors receive high-quality meals. Responsibilities include food preparation, kitchen cleaning, dish washing, food storage, and supervising student workers and volunteers. The role also involves maintaining a safe and sanitary kitchen environment while emphasizing sustainability and reducing food waste.

This position requires providing excellent customer service and fostering an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all island visitors. The individual will be available for emergency response while on duty. Serving as a crew member on a commercial vessel and assisting with other duties as assigned are also key responsibilities.

Positions may be filled for remainder of season through September 13th, 2026 or in shorter term relief roles.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assist and sometimes lead the planning and preparation of 20 meals per week for Appledore Island for up to 100 residents and additional groups of day visitors.

• Regular duties include participation in regular meal planning, special event meal planning, food preparation, food transportation, kitchen cleaning, dish washing, and food storage.

• Maintain cleanliness and safe operating environment of SML kitchen at all times.

• Provide direct supervision to student workers and volunteers.

• Provide exemplary customer service.

• Maintain a keen focus on sustainability and food waste reduction.

• Foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for students, researchers, and visitors.

• Implement initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Expected to be available for consultation and emergency response at all times, on days scheduled to be working, and while on SML property and vessels.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience

• Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States.

• Meet the University of New Hampshire's hiring requirements for both criminal and driving history (background checks are required).

• Applicants must have interest in working in a remote educational environment.

• Good communication skills and ability to work well with students, faculty and other staff members in an isolated environment.

• Knowledge of basic computer skills; proven organization skills; attention to detail along with experience managing multiple tasks.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must be able to work with as a team member with students, faculty and staff in an isolated and physically demanding environment involving long hours.

• Must be willing and able to assist with moving, packing, loading and unloading of supply runs both on Appledore and on the mainland.

• Must be able to lift and move more than 50 lbs.

• Must be able to work while standing and moving 8-11+ hours per day

Other Requirements

Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) is a residential, teaching facility located on Appledore Island, Isles of Shoals, Maine. The island field station is open seasonally from May-September, and supports students, faculty, visitors and staff in a close-knit, sustainable community.

Room and board are provided for island staff. All staff serve the island community as a team with each department working together to support SML's programs. It is everyone's responsibility to foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all.

Living and working on a remote island is a unique experience which requires that everyone pitch in to help, even when it is not part of their job description, or during their scheduled hours. This includes, but is not limited to helping clean up after meals, helping transport goods from the vessels to other locations on the island, operating as crew aboard vessels, and generally being supportive and helpful with other members of our community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or desire to provide food service in remote locations or aboard vessels for large groups of people.

• Experience working with local food producers and vendors to develop fresh and local menus.

• Positive energy and leadership, interest in healthy and sustainable cuisine, and experience accommodating dietary restrictions.

• We are especially interested in candidates with interests in sustainable and local food.

• ServSafe Food Handler Certificate (or willingness to obtain).

• Knowledge of basic computer skills; proven organization skills; attention to detail along with experience managing multiple tasks.

Compensation Pay Range

$21-$24.00 per hour, based on experience

Positions are 40 hours per week with potential for overtime

The University of New Hampshire is committed to providing a safe environment for all persons, including but not limited to children, and to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and crimes against children. All UNH youth program staff shall be subject to a criminal background check as required by NH State Law. Staff and volunteers will also be required to complete periodic child safety training.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

Location

Durham

Salary Grade

Adjunct Hourly Staff 00