Head Cook

Spruce Lake • Canadensis, PA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Food Services Head Cook oversees all food preparation, kitchen staff, and meal services, providing high-quality and hospitable dining experiences for guest groups, church retreats, and conference attendees at Spruce Lake Ministries. The ministry serves Christian church, family, and corporate groups, and hosts summer camps, programmatic retreats, and outdoor education programs throughout the year.

The role supervises food services cooks, kitchen assistants, dishwashers, volunteers, and seasonal employees, and collaborates with the front-of-house Food Services Dining Room Manager. The position requires a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts. Employment is contingent on completion of FBI Criminal Background fingerprint clearance, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, and Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance. The organization does not hire people who are not authorized to work in the United States and cannot sponsor international employees or volunteers.

Requirements

• Have a growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Fully embrace and align with Spruce Lake Ministries' vision, mission, statement of faith, and core values.
• Be responsible, industrious, hospitable, and enthusiastic, and conduct oneself in a manner that is above reproach.
• Have at least two years of cooking and operational leadership experience in a commercial kitchen, camp, or hospitality setting.
• Have at least two years of proven experience supervising high-performing teams.
• Have excellent communication and conflict management skills.
• Have knowledge of menu and recipe execution for large groups.
• Know health codes and sanitation standards.
• Hold a valid ServSafe credential, ServSafe manager certification, or local health department food handler credential.
• Have a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts.
• Be able to remain standing or walking for up to 10–12-hour shifts during the high-volume summer season or weekend retreat turnovers.
• Be able to lift, carry, load, and unload 50–75 pounds; perform repetitive motions with the arms, wrists, and shoulders; and bend, kneel, and stretch.
• Be able to work in rapidly fluctuating temperatures, including intense heat near grills, ovens, and dishwashers and extreme cold in walk-in coolers and freezers, as well as on wet, slippery kitchen floors.
• Be authorized to work in the United States; the employer does not sponsor international employees or volunteers.
• Complete FBI Criminal Background fingerprint clearance, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, and Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all food preparation, kitchen staff, and meal services.
• Provide high-quality, hospitable dining experiences for guest groups, church retreats, and conference attendees.
• Supervise food services cooks, kitchen assistants, dishwashers, volunteers, and seasonal employees.
• Collaborate with the front-of-house Food Services Dining Room Manager.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed