Cook Appalachian Mountain Club
- Date Posted February 23, 2017
- Location Greenville, ME
- Category Nonprofit
- Job type Full-Time
The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is a multifaceted organization located in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. We maintain trails, host overnight guests at lodges and shelters, conduct research, advocate for policy, lead trips for all ages and educate visitors about the natural world and how to conserve it.
For over 125 years the AMC has promoted conservation throughout the Northeast while helping people get outside into the land that has been conserved. From the early 1900’s these efforts included young people building trails and care-taking buildings deep in the backcountry. This experience fostered a lifelong love of the outdoors for many former employees some of whom continued on to work full time for the organization and others who pioneered other conservation efforts throughout the region.
From Maine to New Jersey the AMC runs overnight lodges, campsites and shelters that welcome all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. Staff at our front-country lodges provide a welcoming atmosphere and provide advice on hikers plans for their excursions. Some also help to provide meals for the overnight guests passing through. Our shelters caretakers are located in remote backcountry sites promoting leave no trace principles to their visitors who share their wild home for the night. Those working up in our White Mountain Huts help to carry food and supplies into the hut which they then cook up for the hungry hikers staying the night.
The AMC maintains hundreds of miles of trails throughout the region. Every year we hire over 100 people to work on those trails. These seasonal employees run around the mountains clearing drainages, building rock staircases and ensuring the trail is well marked as it passes through all kinds of terrain. Some of these trail-workers lead volunteers young and old into the woods for weeks at a time to complete trail relocations and reconstructions.
AMC is committed to reducing the barriers to active outdoor participation by youth, expanding the opportunities for environmental education, and making it easier for parents and adult leaders to introduce kids to the outdoors. We believe that fostering a connection with nature among today's youth is a necessary component in building the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists. Through custom experiences and dedicated programs for youth groups, schools, families, and teens, AMC is committed to getting 125,000 kids outdoors each year by 2020.
Job descriptionJoin our culinary team! Cooks are responsible for the culinary experience of guests at our high quality, full service, AMC facilities in the Moosehead Lake Region of Maine. These are multi-season positions with housing available on-site. As part of the kitchen team, the Cook is responsible for all aspects of food service including family style breakfasts, suppers, trail lunches, socials and cookouts. The Cook must work well in a small team environment and be willing to go the extra mile to ensure a quality dining and guest experience.
Cooks are resident hosts for the Maine Wilderness Lodge (MWL) Facility and are expected to support the delivery of AMC activities, programs and facility services. The remote setting of the MWLs requires backcountry skills in all seasons and an enthusiasm for living in and sharing a wilderness environment.
The MWL Cook is expected to be flexible in accommodating weekly scheduling needs. Opportunities for alternative work assignments during out-of-season periods may be structured.
Current openings at Gorman Chairback Lodge (1), Little Lyford Lodge & Cabins (2) and Medawisla Lodge & Cabins (1). Summer Season runs mid-May to November (December for Medawisla). Winter Season runs mid-December to mid-March.
Primary Responsibilities:
- All aspects of meal preparation and delivery for each backcountry facility, from menu planning and purchasing to service and clean up
- Creating wholesome, healthy and high quality meals from scratch, while utilizing natural, local and high quality ingredients
- Meeting guest’s special needs diets as required
- The delivery of a warm, welcoming and safe atmosphere for all guests
- Help create staffing schedules to provide full coverage and excellent customer service
- Maintain the neatness and cleanliness of guest areas, kitchen and food storage areas at all times
- Bring all repair and maintenance issues to the attention of the supervisors
- Procure food and supplies, as necessary/available, to support the using of local and regional resources
- Assist in the planting, maintenance and harvest of vegetable and herb gardens, fruit trees and berry crops to be utilized in providing site grown, fresh (organic) food offerings
- Operate the kitchen facility in compliance with required permits, licenses and standards (environmental, health and safety, etc.)
- Implement energy conservation and environmentally sound practices in daily operations
- Assist with retail, housekeeping and all guest services operations as needed
- Provide information to visitors and guests about the AMC, local natural and cultural history, risk management, outdoor recreation opportunities and AMC land management practices
- Attend off-site meetings as needed and as schedules permit
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications and Experience:
- Exceptional customer service skills and outgoing friendly attitude
- Prior cooking experience in commercial food service operations
- ServSafe Certification
- Ability to use a computer to send and receive email, submit orders to vendors and create Microsoft Word documents
- Experience in menu planning and purchasing
- Ability to perform work in a remote camp setting and travel safely in the backcountry in all weather conditions, carrying up to 25 lbs of gear and interest and/or ability to hike, paddle, ski and snowshoe
- Commitment to the Conservation-Education-Recreation mission of the AMC
- Valid Wilderness First Aid and CPR certifications or the ability to obtain
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving history
Employee Perks: The AMC offers a great benefits package! Here is a partial list that highlights some benefits offered to our full-time seasonal employees. Benefits may vary based on position.
- Retirement plan with matching contributions
- 4 free nights at AMC facilities - You also receive 30% off at the AMC store and gain access to various pro deals that help purchase gear at deeply reduced rates.
- All employees, seasonal and year-round, receive an annual membership with AMC in the year in which they work. AMC members receive AMC Outdoors magazine, a 20% discount on lodging, a 10% discount on retail goods and access to chapter events and activities.
Note that benefits may vary based on position and/or work schedule and are subject to change.