Concession Cook/Concession Shift Lead

The City of Missoula Parks and Recreation Department is a vital part of the community, dedicated to providing exceptional recreational opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Known for its vast array of parks, recreational facilities, and community events, the department serves as a hub for outdoor activities and cultural experiences throughout the year. The Parks and Recreation team is committed to maintaining welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environments where people of all ages can gather, play, and connect. By managing parks, organizing events, and operating concession facilities, the department plays a key role in supporting the vibrant lifestyle that Missoula offers its community members.

The current opportunity is to join this dynamic team as a Concession Cook or Concession Shift Lead, roles that provide an excellent seasonal employment option for individuals interested in working outdoors while contributing to the enjoyment and success of community events. These positions are essential in delivering efficient concession operations across multiple park facilities, including popular locations such as Currents Aquatics Center, Splash Montana, and Fort Missoula Regional Park. Employment is seasonal and focuses on preparing food, offering friendly customer service, and supporting the smooth running of concession stands during recreation programs, tournaments, and special events.

As a Concession Cook, you will be responsible for executing daily food preparation tasks, restocking items, setting up concession areas, and ensuring all food is handled safely and according to health standards. This role requires operating kitchen appliances and managing point-of-sale transactions while creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere for patrons. The position demands attention to detail to maintain food freshness, proper temperatures, and cleanliness to guarantee a safe and enjoyable eating experience for visitors.

The Concession Shift Lead carries additional responsibility by overseeing the team and managing concession operations at designated facilities. This role involves supervising staff, coordinating daily food preparation, and maintaining high health, safety, and service standards. As a leader, the Shift Lead assists in training staff, manages workflows to balance speed and quality, and supports the introduction of new menu items and special event offerings. The Shift Lead also ensures compliance with established procedures for opening and closing concession facilities and delegates cleaning tasks following ServSafe sanitation guidelines.

These positions offer a unique blend of teamwork, customer interaction, and hands-on food preparation within a dynamic park environment. It is an ideal role for individuals who enjoy working with the public and contributing to community engagement through food service in recreational settings. Applicants must be at least of legal working age, with ServSafe certification preferred, and the Shift Lead position requires prior management experience and CPR/AED certification or the ability to obtain it shortly after hire. Prior work experience within Missoula Park and Recreation facilities is a plus.

Joining the City of Missoula Parks and Recreation team in these roles means being part of a supportive and community-focused environment. You'll have the opportunity to develop customer service and leadership skills while enjoying the benefits of working in beautiful outdoor settings during Missoula's vibrant seasonal events. The hiring process involves submitting a City of Missoula application, with screenings starting immediately and continuing until positions are filled. Resumes are not reviewed separately, so it is important to complete the application thoroughly with all relevant information. Overall, these seasonal concessions positions provide meaningful employment that supports the city’s recreation programs and community spirit while offering growth opportunities in food service and team leadership.