Kitchen Assistant

Job Title: Kitchen Assistant
Compensation: $16.50
Housing: No
Dates of Employment: Approx. May 18 2026 - August 15 2026
Reporting to: Food Services Manager
Direct Reports: None

Position Summary:
The Kitchen Assistant supports Keystone Science Schools food service operations by assisting in the preparation serving and clean up of meals for up to 190 clients and staff. Under the direction of the Food Services Manager and Lead Cooks this role helps deliver meals in a variety of formats including buffet family-style sandwich stations outdoor barbecues and off-site programs. We are looking for someone part-time Tuesday - Friday for a mix of morning 6am to 10am and afternoon shifts from 3pm to 7pm.

This position is ideal for individuals who are hardworking team-oriented and eager to contribute to a positive camp community. The primary duties of this position include dishwashing maintaining cleanliness in all areas of the Dining Hall and supporting meal prep and meal service.

Key Responsibilities:
Kitchen & Dish Cleaning

• Wash dry and properly store all dishes utensils and kitchen equipment.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in all food prep and kitchen areas.
• Follow daily and periodic cleaning schedules to ensure a sanitary environment.
• Work independently to complete tasks without direct supervision when needed.

Dining Hall & Facility Maintenance

• Clean and restock Rives Dining Hall including tables floors and food service stations.
• Ensure a welcoming and hygienic environment for all guests and staff.
• Adhere to all health and safety protocols and respond promptly to any maintenance needs.

Food Preparation & Service

• Assist in the preparation of meals for participants and staff
• Support meal setup portioning and service under the direction of the Chef or Lead Cook
• Follow food safety guidelines to ensure proper handling and storage of all food items.

Skills

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to learn safe food handling storage and sanitation procedures especially in environments with varying dietary restrictions.
• Ability to follow meal plans while adjusting for portion and dietary needs.
• Multi-task efficiently while managing a high-volume workload in a fast-paced changing environment.

Education Experience and Certifications

• 0 - 3 monthsexperience in food service or kitchen operations.
• Familiarity with food safety practices.
• Must be 16 years or older and able to pass a background check.

Physical Requirements

• Standing and Walking: Requires prolonged periods of standing and walking on hard surfaces in a kitchen environment.
• Lifting and Carrying: Must be able to lift and carry objects up to 40 pounds frequently and up to 60 pounds occasionally with assistance.
• Manual Dexterity: Ability to handle knives kitchen utensils and other food preparation equipment with precision and safety.
• Reaching and Stooping: Frequent reaching bending and stooping to access ingredients cookware and kitchen storage areas.
• Temperature Exposure: Regular exposure to hot stoves ovens grills and other heated surfaces as well as walk-in coolers and freezers.
• Environmental Exposure: Exposure to food allergens sharp objects hot surfaces and cleaning chemicals.
• Vision and Hearing: Adequate vision to read recipes food labels and monitor cooking processes; sufficient hearing to respond to verbal instructions and kitchen alarms.
• Communication: Must be able to clearly communicate with team members supervisors and food service staff in a noisy kitchen setting.
• Emergency Response: Must be capable of responding quickly to safety hazards spills and other urgent kitchen situations.

Keystone Science School: Who We Are
Keystone Science School (KSS) ignites curiosity and critical thinking through hands-on nature-based learning. Nestled at 9200 feet in Colorados Rocky Mountains our 23-acre campus serves as a hub for immersive inquiry-driven experiences. Since 1976 we have combined outdoor adventure with STEM education empowering students teachers and communities. Our programsincluding summer camps school-based learning and outdoor educationpromote scientific exploration leadership and environmental stewardship. With log-style dorms a dining hall an outdoor amphitheater and an observatory KSS provides an inspiring setting for discovery.

Benefits for Seasonal Part-time Staff
At KSS our staff are essential to our mission. We are proud to offer rewarding benefits including professional development opportunities and those listed below.

• Discounts to outdoor retailers and discounted ski pass opportunities.

Work Schedule and Environment
This position primarily operates in our campus kitchen. The kitchen has sharp and potentially dangerous equipment the employee must work safely and effectively with all kitchen equipment. The schedule varies and is often split between a breakfast shift and a dinner shift.