Summer Camp Kitchen Helper (Any Language)

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Summer Camp Kitchen Helper at Concordia Language Villages, you will work alongside the Culinary Arts team to support meal preparation and service in a collaborative kitchen environment. You will help provide meals inspired by cultures around the world, maintain clean and welcoming kitchen and dining spaces, and support a positive experience for villagers and staff. The role offers hands-on kitchen experience and the opportunity to develop practical skills in a multicultural summer camp community.

This is a seasonal, temporary, full-time position. The employment period varies from May through September, and the schedule varies according to program needs, including days, evenings, and weekends. Shifts are generally 8–10 hours per day. Residential employment may include provided housing and meals, and seasonal perks may include paid training and orientation, tuition discounts for eligible children, and professional development, intercultural learning, and language immersion opportunities.

Staff are expected to attend orientation before their first session, help set up and maintain the Village, speak the target language as much as possible, live in assigned community housing, and remain one day after their final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available. Employment offers are contingent on applicable pre-employment requirements, including a criminal background check.

Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years of age; non-U.S. citizens must be at least 18 years of age.
• Interest in kitchen work.
• Willingness to learn and grow in culinary and leadership skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Maturity and good judgment.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to work with foods used to prepare international cuisines without impact on the worker's physical health.
• Ability to determine the cleanliness of dishes, food-contact surfaces, and kitchen areas.
• Ability to maintain appropriate food and supply inventory.
• Ability to stand and walk; sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch; use hands and fingers with dexterity; lift up to 10 pounds continuously and up to 25 pounds frequently; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to hear and listen, work with chemicals, work around noise and dirt or dust, and work in extreme heat and occasionally extreme cold.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.
• Successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, including a criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

• Oral proficiency in the target language.
• Previous Concordia Language Villages or camping experience.

Responsibilities

• Wash dishes and utensils used during meal preparation and service.
• Prepare and serve meals with other kitchen staff, ensuring food quality, safety, and timeliness.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen in accordance with Minnesota health and safety regulations.
• Assist with dining hall and kitchen cleanup, including garbage disposal and recycling.
• Follow organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Communicate clearly and appropriately with staff and leadership.
• Manage competing demands and adapt to frequent changes in a camp environment.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and comply with the Minnesota Food Code during food preparation.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of food and supplies.
• Help set up and maintain the Village and prepare for the next session.
• Speak the target language with villagers and staff as much as possible.
• Model appropriate behavior and support the health and welfare of villagers.
• Remain one day after the final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.

Benefits

• Housing may be provided during residential employment.
• Meals may be provided during residential employment.
• Paid training and orientation may be provided.
• Applicable tuition discounts for children attending Concordia Language Villages.
• Opportunities for professional development, intercultural learning, and language immersion.

What This Job Offers

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