Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Salary
Range $49,000.00 - $73,500.00
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Benefits
Room and board
Paid Time Off
Health Insurance
Retirement Plan
Professional development opportunities
Employee assistance program
Work-life balance support
Job Description
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is a prestigious R1 Carnegie classification research institution located in Durham, New Hampshire. With a sprawling 188-acre campus set conveniently 60 miles north of Boston and just 8 miles from the Atlantic coast, UNH offers a vibrant academic environment to approximately 13,000 students. The university boasts a full-time faculty of over 600 who deliver a comprehensive suite of 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. UNH champions diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, fostering a campus culture where individuals from varied perspectives and backgrounds can pursue academic excellence with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
Within this dynamic academic ecosystem, the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) stands out as a unique residential teaching facility located on Appledore Island, part of the Isles of Shoals off the coast of Maine. Operating seasonally from May to September, SML supports students, faculty, visitors, and staff in an inspiring, close-knit, and sustainable community. The lab emphasizes hands-on learning and fosters an environmentally conscious culture that supports local producers and sustainable food practices.
The position available is that of a Kitchen Supervisor for the Shoals Marine Laboratory kitchen on Appledore Island. This vital role entails overseeing all kitchen operations, including planning and preparing over 20 meals per week for up to 100 residents and day visitors. The position demands a dedicated leader to ensure meals are made primarily from scratch, emphasizing healthy, hearty, and well-balanced nutrition by using local ingredients whenever possible. The Kitchen Supervisor is responsible for menu planning, addressing dietary restrictions discretely and safely, managing food purchasing, budgeting, transportation, kitchen cleanliness, and food storage. Additionally, the role encompasses supervising and scheduling a diverse team consisting of core staff, student workers, and volunteers, working collaboratively with the Island Coordinator team.
The successful candidate will lead a professional kitchen team that exemplifies courtesy, civility, and mutual respect, while fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for staff, students, faculty, researchers, and visitors. A strong focus on sustainability and food waste reduction is central to the responsibilities, along with maintaining compliance with Maine Department of Health regulations, FDA HACCP, and ServSafe guidelines for safe food storage and preparation.
Besides culinary leadership, the Kitchen Supervisor is an integral part of the island community, communicating transparently about food sourcing and engaging residents in sustainability initiatives. The role also involves emergency response availability during scheduled workdays, participation as a crew member on commercial vessels, and the potential operation of small boats for supply runs and island support duties.
Living and working on a remote island presents unique challenges and opportunities. All staff members are expected to contribute beyond their core duties, including assisting with cleaning, transporting goods, vessel operations, and community support. This role demands physical stamina, the ability to lift heavy loads (over 50 pounds), and endurance to work long hours standing and moving.
The position offers a pay range of $1900.00 per week along with room and board provided on the island, reflecting the unique residential nature of the work environment. UNH supports a safe workplace for all, including adherence to child safety laws and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its faculties and campuses.
This role is a remarkable opportunity for a culinary professional passionate about sustainable cooking from scratch, community engagement, and remote living while contributing to the academic mission of a leading research university. Candidates should be ready to embrace a collaborative team spirit and possess the flexibility and resilience to thrive in a physically demanding and isolated yet rewarding environment.
Within this dynamic academic ecosystem, the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) stands out as a unique residential teaching facility located on Appledore Island, part of the Isles of Shoals off the coast of Maine. Operating seasonally from May to September, SML supports students, faculty, visitors, and staff in an inspiring, close-knit, and sustainable community. The lab emphasizes hands-on learning and fosters an environmentally conscious culture that supports local producers and sustainable food practices.
The position available is that of a Kitchen Supervisor for the Shoals Marine Laboratory kitchen on Appledore Island. This vital role entails overseeing all kitchen operations, including planning and preparing over 20 meals per week for up to 100 residents and day visitors. The position demands a dedicated leader to ensure meals are made primarily from scratch, emphasizing healthy, hearty, and well-balanced nutrition by using local ingredients whenever possible. The Kitchen Supervisor is responsible for menu planning, addressing dietary restrictions discretely and safely, managing food purchasing, budgeting, transportation, kitchen cleanliness, and food storage. Additionally, the role encompasses supervising and scheduling a diverse team consisting of core staff, student workers, and volunteers, working collaboratively with the Island Coordinator team.
The successful candidate will lead a professional kitchen team that exemplifies courtesy, civility, and mutual respect, while fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for staff, students, faculty, researchers, and visitors. A strong focus on sustainability and food waste reduction is central to the responsibilities, along with maintaining compliance with Maine Department of Health regulations, FDA HACCP, and ServSafe guidelines for safe food storage and preparation.
Besides culinary leadership, the Kitchen Supervisor is an integral part of the island community, communicating transparently about food sourcing and engaging residents in sustainability initiatives. The role also involves emergency response availability during scheduled workdays, participation as a crew member on commercial vessels, and the potential operation of small boats for supply runs and island support duties.
Living and working on a remote island presents unique challenges and opportunities. All staff members are expected to contribute beyond their core duties, including assisting with cleaning, transporting goods, vessel operations, and community support. This role demands physical stamina, the ability to lift heavy loads (over 50 pounds), and endurance to work long hours standing and moving.
The position offers a pay range of $1900.00 per week along with room and board provided on the island, reflecting the unique residential nature of the work environment. UNH supports a safe workplace for all, including adherence to child safety laws and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its faculties and campuses.
This role is a remarkable opportunity for a culinary professional passionate about sustainable cooking from scratch, community engagement, and remote living while contributing to the academic mission of a leading research university. Candidates should be ready to embrace a collaborative team spirit and possess the flexibility and resilience to thrive in a physically demanding and isolated yet rewarding environment.
Job Requirements
- Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States
- Selected candidates must be able to successfully participate in pre-employment and random drug testing
- Meet the University of New Hampshire's hiring requirements for both criminal and driving history (background checks are required)
- Applicants must have interest in working in a remote educational environment
- Must be able to work with as a team member with students, faculty and staff in an isolated and physically demanding environment involving long hours
- Must be willing and able to assist with moving, packing, loading and unloading of supply runs both on Appledore and on the mainland
- Must be able to lift and move more than 50 lbs
- Must be able to work while standing and moving 8-11+ hours per day
- Valid Drivers License and safe driving record
- Serve as a crew member on board a commercial or an oceanographic vessel
Job Qualifications
- Experience as a head or executive chef successfully leading dining services teams in successful execution of regular meal service for large groups of more than 50
- Experience in addressing allergy, food preferences and food intolerances in a discrete and safe manner
- Knowledge of basic computer skills
- proven organization skills
- attention to detail along with experience managing multiple tasks
- Good communication skills and ability to work well with students, faculty and other staff members in an isolated environment
- ServSafe Manager Certificate or willingness to obtain in first two weeks of employment
Job Duties
- Supervise operations of the Shoals Marine Laboratory kitchen on Appledore Island
- Lead the planning and preparation of 20+ meals per week for Appledore Island for up to 100 residents and additional groups of day visitors, and on-island catering
- Primarily from scratch utilizing local producers when feasible to produce hearty and well balanced healthy meals
- Maintain and coordinate relationships with food suppliers, with an emphasis on local ingredients and farms and fishers
- Supervise and schedule all employees working in the SML kitchen, consisting of a small core team, student workers, and occasional volunteers in collaboration with Island Coordinator team
- Develop and maintain a professional team that reflects courtesy, civility, and mutual respect
- Maintain responsibility for menu planning, management of dietary restrictions, food purchasing and budgeting, food transportation, kitchen cleaning, dishwashing, and food storage
- Maintain a keen focus on sustainability and food waste reduction
- Ensure compliance with Maine Department of Health regulations, utilizing FDA HACCP and Serve Safe guidelines to ensure safe food storage and preparation
- Maintain cleanliness and safe operating environment of kitchen at all times
- Provide exemplary customer service
- Communicate with island community about food - ingredients, sharing sources as needed and possible
- Foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for staff, students, researchers, and visitors
- Implement initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Expected to be available for consultation and emergency response at all times, on days scheduled to be working, and while on SML property and vessels
- Serve as a crew member on board a commercial vessel, and operator of small vessels
- Other duties as assigned
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
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