Head Cook

Summer Sleepaway 2025 at Camp Kaufmann
Head Cook

Position Description
The Head Cook is responsible for managing kitchen staff to ensure the timely preparation and serving of all camp meals and the maintenance of a clean, safe work environment. They act in accordance with the New York Department of Health (NYDOH), Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), and the American Camp Association (ACA) standards, and demonstrate the mission of Girl Scouting and the positive impact of camp.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations and ensuring the timely preparation and serving of all food - including three daily meals, snacks, cook outs, and other special event meals - to all campers and staff from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
• Maintain all safety standards and equipment according to NYDOH and ACA standards.
• Report to the Camp Director and collaborate with Kitchen Staff for efficient mealtimes.
• Create and submit kid-friendly meal plans for Health Director and Camp Director review two weeks before each camp session.
• Coordinate with the Health Director to accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies, while maintaining HIPAA confidentiality.
• Manage the Kitchen Team and directly supervise the Assistant Cook and Prep Cook.
• Support Senior Leadership in supervising other camp staff, including General Support Staff and Unit Counselors, when assigned to kitchen duties.
• Mentor high school Counselors-in-Training (CITs) when assigned to kitchen duties.
• Manage the food budget and place food orders with approval from Senior Leadership Team.
• Track inventory, verify food deliveries, and review invoices to ensure accuracy.
• Manage temperature monitoring and logging for all refrigerators and freezers.
• Ensure kitchen cleanliness and adherence to all health regulations, including sanitizing surfaces/equipment, proper and secure food storage, trash removal, and floor cleaning.
• Immediately report incidents, accidents, illnesses, and maintenance issues to the Camp Director and ensure proper documentation.
• Submit an end-of-summer final report of all inventories and records.
• Guide campers and staff in emergency situations, remaining calm under pressure.
• Enthusiastically participate in all aspects of camp, including staff training, structured and unstructured activities, team building, and debriefing.
• Demonstrate quick thinking, excellent communication, sound problem-solving techniques, and ability to work as a team player.
• Model and teach camp expectations for campers and staff regarding cleanliness, personal hygiene, punctuality, mutual respect, appropriate language, and appropriate attire.
• Comply with all policies communicated in staff training and staff manual.
• Lead training activities as assigned by Camp Senior Leadership during staff training.
• Abide by the mission and values of the Girl Scouts.
• Provide excellent customer service to campers, caregivers, camp visitors, and other staff.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Camp Leadership Team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be at least 25 years of age by July 1, 2025.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience supervising staff.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in a restaurant-grade kitchen.
• Training or experience in food service management, covering areas such as sanitation, large-scale menu planning, food preparation, and protection, hygiene, and recordkeeping.
• Certified or is willing to obtain required certifications, including Food Handlers License and kitchen equipment-specific training.
• Familiarity with NYSDOH, OSHA, and ACA standards, regulations, and laws.
• Ability to operate industrial/restaurant-grade kitchen equipment.
• Desire and ability to work with and relate to campers and staff from diverse backgrounds in an outdoor environment.
• Patience, sense of humor, integrity, and an ability to adapt well to changing situations.
• The acceptance and understanding that employment is at a sleepaway (overnight) camp and that work hours are long and irregular.
• Possess the strength and endurance required to succeed in a sleepaway camp environment.
• Clearance through the Sex Offender Registry and Criminal Background Check.
• Willingness to prioritize the needs of Girl Scouts of Greater New York and Camp Kaufmann.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior kitchen management experience in a school or camp setting.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Dates of Summer 2025 Employment
  • Must live local to camp or on site and be available to work the ENTIRE duration of:
  • Staff training: June 22 - July 5. Additional certification classes may be required.
  • Summer camp programming (5 sessions): July 6 - August 8.
  • Camp closing/clean up: August 9 - August 10.
  • Time off: Friday evening to Saturday evening weekly, except July 5th.
  • Potential for additional weekend shifts year-round.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Good health and the stamina necessary to work in a camp setting.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time while leading programming.

Compensation

• $300 - $325 per diem rate range, based on prior experience and certifications.
• Room and board while at camp.
• Cost of travel to/from NYC weekly, plus other off-camp excursion opportunities.

No phone calls, please.

The Girl Scouts of Greater New York are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Any essential function or requirement of this job will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent or applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation(s) for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent or applicant when possible.