Upham Woods Seasonal Cook

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Job Category:

Employment Type:

Job Profile:

Job Summary:

The Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center seeks a reliable and detail-oriented Seasonal Cook. This position will prepare food and complete related tasks according to quality and safety standards to ensure customer satisfaction and achieve departmental food service
goals. Responsibilities may include:

• Demonstrate and role model exceptional customer service

• Interact with customers while displaying knowledge of food products allergens and safety.

• Perform duties in a high-volume dynamic student residential dining environment.

• Perform food production for youth camp groups (up to 150) catering for our on-site conference center for site demands.

• Perform cleaning of kitchen and dining hall.

• Perform custodial duties when not assigned to kitchen.

• Provide support and assistance as needed in the implementation of plans and procedures in the event of an emergency.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing walking lifting carrying pushing pulling stooping kneeling crouching reaching handling grasping

• repetitive movements eye/hand/foot coordination

• Occasional sitting balancing

• Rarely climbing or crawling

Temporary Position

This position has the possibility to be extended based on need and/or funding.

FTE

This is a variable FTE appointment between May-August the estimated FTE is approximately 100% (40 hours per week) September - November will be based on reservations.

In Person

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person onsite at a designated campus work location.

Evening/Weekend Work

This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Cleaning sanitizing and maintaining a variety of buildings related to Upham Woods including the dormitory Lodge Dining Hall Nature Center Bathhouse and Cabins.

• Cleans inspects and maintains kitchen equipment and work areas

• Greets customers answers questions and provides information regarding food preparation and associated activities

• Adheres to federal state campus and local food safety regulations policies and procedures

• Assists and guides student workers

• Performs routine food preparation activities such as portioning chopping food and serving food to customers

Department:

Division of Extension Natural Resources Institute Upham Woods is hiring for an Upham Woods Seasonal Cook.

About Extension:

UW-Madisons Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local statewide and national issues improving lives through research-based education fostering partnerships and action and facilitating positive impacts.

About the Institute:

The Extension Natural Resources Institute ( addresses todays critical environmental issues particularly the sustainable management of food water and energy by using collaborative multidisciplinary approaches grounded in an
understanding of human interactions with resources. We leverage our diverse team of researchers and outreach specialists to provide science-based information and education embodying the Wisconsin Idea through extensive partnerships. Ultimately our mission is to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that benefit our shared natural resources through a variety of programs.

About the Upham Woods:

Upham Woods is a residential center within the UW-Madison Division of Extension located in pristine forests along the beautiful Wisconsin River two miles north of Wisconsin Dells. More information about the Upham Woods community can be found at
u/uphamwoods.

Upham Woods provides hands-on field-based education and recreation opportunities to youth youth leaders and adults through programs focused on environmental and leadership education. The Center consists of 14 buildings including a new welcome center full-service kitchen and dining hall nature center and lodging for visitors and seasonal staff. The Center sits on the Wisconsin River with over 300 acres of forested land including a 210- acre state natural area island. This position joins a highly collaborative team of educators passionate about connecting youth and adults to positive outdoor learning experiences with the goal of developing future stewards of Wisconsins natural resources.

Compensation:

The minimum annual (12 months) hourly rate for the position is $17 per hour.

Required Qualifications:

• Be able to read and follow work instructions and schedules warning signs and instructions for equipment operations.

• Have basic knowledge of food preparation and food safety procedures.

• Have basic knowledge of facility cleaning.

• Have physical strength and stamina to perform required work -including ability to bend stoop kneel and work on feet for long periods of time.

• Must be courteous with staff clients and the public.

• Must have good oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to identify priorities.

• Ability to work effectively with supervision and as part of a team.

• Reliable means of transportation to and from work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a kitchen catering or making food for 100 people.

• Familiarity with federal state and local food safety policies and procedures.

• Drivers License - Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards.

Education:

Required Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Preferred Certifications

Food Handler or Safe Serve Certification

How to Apply:

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process click the apply now button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume

• Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

Please submit a cover letter referring to your work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background as it relates to this position. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews. For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting please click note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States a lawful permanent resident a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship)
on or before the effective date of appointment.

This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.

Application Deadline is February 11 2026 at 11:59pm (CST).

Contact Information:

Craig Boehlke


Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAYSERVICE for further information.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength creativity and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity culture background experience status abilities and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching research outreach and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students faculty and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to including but not limited to race color religion sex sexual orientation national origin age pregnancy disability or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g. application interview pre-employment testing etc.) please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.