Head Cook

Farm and Wilderness Foundation

Our kitchens are woven into our camps, open to campers and staff to help in; Cooks are a part of the community!

Meals are made from scratch and support all dietary restrictions - with no fryers. 

 

Firefly Song Head Cook 

Summer Seasonal, Full-Time Staff, At-will 

Supervisor:  Firefly Song Director and F&W Food Service Director 

Camp Overview: Firefly Song (FS) serves girls and nonbinary campers, ages 9-14. FS is one of the biggest overnight camps, with about 115 campers and ~55 staff (including leadership, cabin counselors, cooks, and trip staff). We run two three-week sessions for campers and a two-plus week staff training window prior to campers' arrival. FS campers learn technical and interpersonal skills and reflect on belonging, inclusion, and who they want to become. 

Position Summary:  

The Firefly Song Cook is responsible for the management of the Firefly Song kitchen. The Head Cook is responsible for setting up the kitchen, ordering the food, cooking, supervising the cooks and closing the kitchen at the end of the summer. The Firefly Song Head Cook works in close collaboration with the FS Director and leadership team to make sure the kitchen functions are in alignment with the camp schedule, program, and F&W’s overall philosophies.  

Essential Functions: 

• Deliver a varied, healthy menu that includes options for dietary needs and choices.  

• Collaborate with Trips Coordinator to order food, plan menus, and prepare for trip meals.  

• Manage the scheduling of cooks. Supervise FS Assistant Head Cook. 

• Manage weekly deep cleaning of kitchen facility and food ‘use by’ and expiration dates. 

• Be responsible for all kitchen safety procedures, including ACA and Dept. of Health regulations and standards. Educate staff and follow up with staff accordingly.  

• Place food orders with external vendors and coordinate farm exchange with produce grown onsite throughout the summer. Facilitate pick up and storing of deliveries. 

• Manage budget and maintain communication with FS Director about budget status and needs 

• Ability to be present and on time for camp responsibilities and activities (e.g., meals, chores, leading activity blocks)  

• Ability to be disconnected from daily substance and technology habits 

Additional Responsibilities: 

• Maintain the cleanliness and safety of appliances. Train others in their use 

• Supervise compost, recycling, and waste management in keeping with F&W’s philosophy. 

• Coordinate staff and campers for smooth serving of all meals as well as post meal clean-up 

• Manage weekly staff meetings and individual check-ins with each cook.  

• As requested by leadership, provide documentation related to the following: incidents (e.g., behavior, injury), programming/activity related, trips, and maintenance needs. 

• Coordinate weekly pick-up and drop-off with kitchen laundry services.  

• Know and follow all the rules and guidelines of working at Farm & Wilderness as laid out in the F&W Standard Operating Manuals (F&W handbook, Emergency Action Plan, etc.) 

• In collaboration with F&W Operations Team and Food Service Director, participate in post-camp clean-up of kitchen. 

Work Conditions: 

• Work shifts consist of 6 days on, 1 day off. 

• Live alone in a three-sided open-air cabin that is RUSTIC and does not have electricity.  

• Toilets are composting outhouses. 

• Outdoor showers with hot running water. 

• Meals, coffee, and tea are provided through our camp kitchens. 

• Camp property is on hilly, uneven terrain. 

• Employees will have access to WIFI in designated spaces and cannot use cell phones and/or other technology outside of these designated spaces. 

• The use of nicotine, alcohol, and controlled substances (including marijuana) is not allowed on camp property. 

Preferred Qualifications & Experience: 

• Experience in cooking for large groups of people. 

• Ability to read and follow instructions.  

• Ability to operate or learn cooking and food preparation equipment. 

• Working understanding of proper food handling and sanitation processes. 

• Possess strength and endurance required throughout the summer.  

• Openness to work with people (both staff and campers) from diverse backgrounds (e.g., ability, economic, racial, religious, political, geographical, sexual orientation, cultural). 

• Respectful, clear, and patient interpersonal communication skill set that allows for collaborative work as part of a community or team. A sense of humor and appreciation of fun and spontaneity.  

• Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of campers served and interact appropriately with campers in a variety of situations 

• Must pass reference checks and background screenings, which include sex offender registry check. 

Compensation & Benefits: 

• Summer Salary paid biweekly 

• Room and Board  

• Leadership Opportunities  

• Personal laundry sent out and returned each week 

• Access to an Employee Assistance Program- Resources, Support and Guidance 

• Training in working with campers, which includes certification in Wilderness First Aid, and others depending on your position and experience (e.g., Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor)  

• Camp T-shirt and pro deals (discounts on outdoor clothing and gear). 

• Magical summer with amazing community. 

 

Organizational Summary: 

F&W (Farm & Wilderness) is a non-profit, educational organization operating five summer camps for children and teens, a family camp, retreat rentals, and a conservation organization. Encompassing over 1,500-acres in the Green Mountains of Vermont, our camps and programs are known to be joyful, creative places full of adventure where staff and campers embody the idea that “work is love made visible.” In 2018, F&W joined forces with the Nineveh Foundation to manage the conservation of more than 3,300 acres of land and water in the Lake Ninevah valley.  People of any race, background, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or economic status are encouraged to apply to join our community as campers or staff. To learn more about F&W please visit: http://www.farmandwilderness.org.