Job Description

Position Summary:

The Lead Cook serves as a working leader within a designated area of the foodservice operation, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and customer service. This role actively prepares meals according to established menus and guidelines while organizing kitchen operations to keep staff informed, prepared, and operating efficiently. The Lead Cook upholds food safety and cleanliness standards, supports ordering and inventory processes, and assists with menu management systems. Additionally, the position provides indirect supervision, coaching, training, and scheduling support to culinary staff to promote strong performance and teamwork.

Department Information:

Residential Dining Services’ (RDS) mission is to deliver an outstanding dining experience crafted by an engaged team dedicated to social and environmental responsibility. RDS operates 5 dining centers, 2 convenience stores, a full bakeshop, and a warehouse. We employee more than 1,000 employees who serve 12,000 meals per day to the 6,000 students who live on campus.

Application Deadline: May 31, 2027. Vacant positions will be filled based on operational needs.

Salary Range:

$43,896 - $48,286

Essential Job Duties:

• Lead daily culinary operations by preparing meals from menus and standardized recipes, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely service. 
• Serve as work leader: assign tasks, train staff, and support a customer‑focused work environment. 
• Maintain and monitor food safety, sanitation, and HACCP compliance, including temperature logs and hazard identification. 
• Manage food handling, storage, and documentation, ensuring proper rotation, inventory accuracy, and system usage. 
• Support procurement and inventory processes by monitoring stock levels and preparing items for future demand. 
• Oversee kitchen operations including opening/closing, equipment readiness, and production levels. 
• Participate in required training, certifications, and meetings; other duties as assigned.  

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all 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 require 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:

• Can supervise Cooks, Foodservice Workers, Temporary Hourly Employees, and Student Employees in a defined work area. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Years of Experience and/or Skills:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Work experience in a high-volume food production 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.

Application Instructions:  

To apply, please upload a cover letter and resume that clearly outlines your work experience, education, certifications, and any other relevant information demonstrating how your qualifications align with the required and preferred qualifications listed in the posting. Because the application system does not provide a separate cover letter upload field, both documents must be uploaded under the section labeled "Resume."  Multiple document uploads are accepted, and applicants may upload their cover letter and resume as separate files. 

This is an evergreen posting. Applications will be reviewed as hiring needs arise, and qualified applicants may be contacted if a suitable opportunity becomes available. This pool will expire on May 31, 2027. Applicants wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply.

Search Contact: Anthony King; anthony.king@colostate.edu; 970-491-4703

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.

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.