Desert Studies Lead Cook (Cook II Lead) (Barstow, CA)

California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a premier public institution dedicated to academic excellence, student success, and fostering an inclusive and diverse community. As a leading university in the California State University system, CSUF promotes collaboration, research, innovation, and professional growth among its students, faculty, and staff. It proudly holds designations as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, recognized with the Seal of Excelencia in 2021 and 2024. The university is deeply committed to advancing educational opportunities, career readiness, and economic mobility for all its members.

The Desert Studies Lead Cook position is an essential role within the California Desert Studies Consortium, an academic partnership formed in 1974 among seven CSU campuses to promote awareness and understanding of California's desert regions. The Consortium’s mission centers on enhancing student academic skills and heightening public appreciation through desert-focused education, research, and special programming. This role, classified as Cook II Lead, is located at the Consortium’s remote field station near Zzyzx, California, in the Mojave Desert, with on-site housing provided.

This temporary 9-month position, ending on or before June 30, 2027, requires a dedicated individual to lead the culinary operations during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. The Desert Studies Lead Cook will plan, organize, and oversee meal preparation and service for guests visiting the station, ensuring quality, safety, and sanitation standards in an isolated desert environment with extreme weather conditions. Responsibilities include cooking large quantities of food, managing inventory, purchasing supplies often traveling long distances, and maintaining culinary equipment and workspaces. The role demands a high level of leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to instruct and supervise kitchen staff and visitors.

The ideal candidate is someone with a positive attitude and energetic, ethical work ethic, who values inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness. Weekend work and on-call responsibilities are integral to this position, reflecting the unique demands of operating a remote field station. This role offers a competitive salary range of $3,736 to $5,232 per month, with the hiring range typically between $3,736 and $4,554 depending on qualifications. Working conditions include exposure to varied temperature extremes and outdoor environments, requiring adaptability and resilience. Ultimately, the Desert Studies Lead Cook contributes to the success of the Consortium’s educational mission by ensuring guests and researchers are well-served and supported through quality culinary services in a challenging and unique desert setting.