Head Chef/Kitchen Manager

Head Chef / Kitchen Manager

Ecology Learning Center - 230 Main Street, Unity, ME  04988 

JOB TYPE: Contract 

REPORTS TO: Operations Manager

START DATE: IMMEDIATE 

OVERVIEW

The Ecology Learning Center is an educational nonprofit in Waldo County, Maine with the mission to deeply root students in Maine’s ecological and cultural landscapes, foster authentic real-world learning through mentorship and craft, and cultivate compassionate and resilient leaders prepared to engage in the challenges of today and tomorrow.  The Ecology Learning Center accomplishes its mission through the work of a public charter high school, community workshops, and a homeschooling enrichment program.  

The charter school opened September 1, 2020, enrolling 48 students in grades 9 and 10, and has expanded to just over 100 students in grades 9-12 in 2022.  The Center was authorized as the tenth and final charter school in Maine following a rigorous application process, and operating a successful pilot program for two years.

We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. Our goal is to prepare students for college and careers while focusing on rural community development and environmental stewardship.

We are seeking a hard-working, enthusiastic kitchen manager who is dedicated to local agriculture, health and wellness, and the art of preparing nourishing meals with teens.  The head chef / kitchen manager will lead 2 to 3 students to prepare school breakfast and lunch, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients.  The long-term goal of this position is to develop and implement a farm to cafeteria program that engages students in the planning, growing, harvesting, procuring, cooking, and serving of school breakfast and lunch.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Prepare school lunches for 75+ people, engaging up to 3 high school students 5 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) in lunch preparation (wash, peel, grate, slice, stir, sauté, etc).  
2. Oversees and maintains cleanliness of facilities.
3. Prepare sandwich bar school lunches for 75+ people one day per week (Wednesday). 
4. Oversee breakfast served to 40+ people (granola, yogurt, fruit, milk, bagels, occasional hot foods like home fries and eggs). 
5. Manage purchasing of all ingredients, seeking as many locally-grown ingredients as possible. 
6. Work with local food services and sources (Unity Barn Raisers, Waldo County Bounty, Volunteer Regional Food Pantry, MOFGA, local farmers) to source ingredients.
7. Assure that school breakfasts and lunches meet DOE nutrition program requirements.
8. Maintain records for reporting school breakfast and lunch numbers and recipes to the Maine Department of Education using the CNPWeb platform.
9. Reinforce standards of behavior based on school guidelines during food preparation and serving.
10. Create a safe, supportive environment in which students treat one another with respect, develop awareness of diversity, and celebrate differences.
11. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, cooking materials, and facilities.
12. Follow and enforce all Covid-19 regulations at the school and community center kitchen.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in food service, serving large numbers of people
• Experience managing food orders and budgets (ordering, purchasing, tracking on spreadsheets)
• A deep understanding of the importance of farm to table programs
• Experience working with teens
• Has a desire to positively influence students’ choices regarding diet & nutrition
• Demonstrated passion for cooking using locally-grown food 
• Highly responsible, self-motivated, flexible, and capable of working in varied settings
• An abundance of patience for working with teens, a good sense of humor, strong work ethic
• CPR/First Aid certification
• ServSafe certification
• Be able to successfully pass a background check

TO APPLY

To apply, please send a completed “Ecology Learning Center Application” form, cover letter, and resume to: hr@ecologylearningcenter.org 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Ecology Learning Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  The Center does not discriminate in employment or in educational programs, services or activities based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, marital status or any other protected category in accordance with state and federal laws.