Cook – Mountain Campus-1

Job Description
Position Summary

The Cook independently prepares and produces a full range of menu items using established menus, standardized recipes, and approved cooking procedures. The position ensures food quality, quantity, safety, and presentation while maintaining sanitation standards. The role also serves as a work lead for DS I/FSW staff and student employees, supporting training and consistent production practices. Additional responsibilities include food handling, equipment operation, inventory support, and maintaining a safe, efficient kitchen environment

Note: This is a 9-month seasonal position. Staff will reside at the Mountain Campus during operating season of April – November.

Full Consideration Date

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. (MT) on March 31, 2026.

Work Unit

The Mountain Campus (MTC) of Colorado State University, located 53 miles west of Fort Collins at 9,000 feet, is a remote educational and research site adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park. As part of Housing & Dining Services, the Mountain Campus supports CSU and the broader community through student learning, research programs, and conferences. MTC operates a single dining facility and is open seasonally from May through November. The campus employs 30-35 seasonal staff and serves more than 65,000 meals annually to approximately 6,500 students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Limited Wi-Fi is available; however, there is no cell service, and pets are not permitted.

Essential Job Duties:

• Prepare and produce hot and cold food items using standardized recipes and cooking methods, ensuring quality, safety, and nutritional standards.
• Operate cooking equipment and perform preparation tasks including measuring, chopping, mixing, baking, roasting, steaming, frying, grilling, and garnishing.
• Monitor, restock, and maintain service areas to ensure food availability, proper presentation, and adherence to food-safety expectations.
• Maintain sanitation and food-safety compliance by cleaning and sanitizing production areas, equipment, utensils, and completing HACCP temperature checks.
• Perform opening and closing kitchen procedures including equipment startup/shutdown, safety checks, and work-area preparation.
• Provide training and work-lead guidance to DS I/FSW staff and student workers to ensure consistent production and compliance with standards.
• Other related duties

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
• Pre-employment Physical: Successfully complete the WorkSTEPS evaluation.
• Essential Services Designation – Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare.
• Shift Work This position may be required to work extended shift hours and/or a modified swing shift to meet departmental staffing requirements.
• Special Requirements/Other: Must obtain the ServSafe Food Manager Certification within six months of hire and maintain it throughout employment.

Supervision:

• None

Minimum Education Qualifications:

• High School Diploma (or GED) preferred

Minimum Experience/Skill Qualifications:

• One (1) year experience in a foodservice or retail operation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a high-volume foodservice operation.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple activities and tasks with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and verbal communication skills necessary for building and maintaining successful work relationships.
• Demonstrated experience providing memorable customer service interactions with customers and colleagues.
• Food safety certification such as ServSafe.

Salary Range
$41,808 – $45,900

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Cover Letter, Resume/CV
Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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