Cooks (Seasonal)

SEASONAL: April 20 – October 25, 2025

COMPENSATION: Minimum $845/week, includes meals + housing

Employees receive rustic housing for the entirety of their contracted employment and meals are provided when on Hurricane island. 

Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership is seeking Cooks for the 2025 island season. The position requires living and working on Hurricane Island, Penobscot Bay (ME). Cooks prepare and serve meals for a multi-aged island community of staff, students, and visitors. In addition to the regular meals, they assist the Galley Manager to plan and execute periodic special island events such as casual donor picnics or farm-to-table dinners. Cooks should reflect Hurricane Island’s core mission of leadership and sustainability, through positive energy and enthusiasm for sustainable food practices and systems including thoughtful food purchasing, meal and event preparation, and waste management (e.g., trash, compost, recycling). The Cook is expected to be integrated into the day-to-day operations of the island and help maintain our collaborative and intentional community.

Responsibilities + Expectations

• Preparation for and service of three meals a day and additional special events for an island community of approximately 30-60 people.
• Work to ensure all dietary needs and food allergies are addressed, as well as attention to variety, nutrition, food group balance, food ordering, and organize food deliveries.
• Ensure Maine Food Code health and sanitation regulations are being followed and enforced.
• Foster and maintain an open and welcoming kitchen environment, aligned with Hurricane Island’s core values and supports a diverse educational learning community.
• Ability to remain flexible and approachable under pressure to multi-task and problem solve all aspects of service.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness, food storage, and overall organization of the kitchen, including washing dishes.
• Participate as a full member of Hurricane Island’s intentional community, welcoming visitors to the island and communicating about Hurricane Island’s mission and work, participating in community tasks, performing other duties relating to the organization’s goals and mission as required.

Essential Qualifications

• Experience in large-scale professional food preparation and service.
• Knowledge of commercial kitchens and required operations.
• Able to work with minimal supervision.
• Able to routinely move, lift, carry, pull or push objects or materials often exceeding 50 lbs.
• Ability to work in a noisy, energetic environment while remaining welcoming to community members.
• Ability and willingness to work and live in a remote island community with rustic and off-the-grid accommodations where all staff share living and work spaces.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge and experience with farms, gardens, and composting.