Job Description

Position Summary

Residential Dining Services at Colorado State University is seeking applications for one (1) Lead Cook and four (4) Cooks to support daily operations.

The Lead Cook position acts as a leader over a defined area of a food service operation to assure the highest standards of quality and customer service are achieved. The Lead Cook will be responsible to organize their area to assure staff are well informed and prepared, assure quality standards are met, actively cook foods according to established guidelines, model exemplary customer service, uphold food safety and cleanliness standards, indirectly supervise others, and coach and train staff.

The Cook position actively prepares and serves food in a high-volume food service operation to assure the highest standards of quality, safety, and customer service are always achieved.

Full Consideration Date

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

Work Unit

Housing & Dining Services (HDS) is one of the largest departments on campus and is responsible for the management, finance, administration, and program development of all University housing facilities, including residence halls, university apartments, and Mountain Campus.

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 maybe required to work extended shift hours and/or a modified swing shift to meet departmental staffing requirements.

Supervision

• Lead Cook: Indirectly supervises Cooks, Food service Workers, Temporary Hourly Employees, and Student Employees in a defined work area.

• Cook: Indirectly supervises Food service Workers, Temporary Hourly Employees, and Student Employees in a defined work area.

Qualifications

Lead Cook

Minimum requirement:

• One (1) year of experience in a food service operation. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Two (2) or more years of experience in a food service operation as a cook and/or work leader.

• Certificate, Associates, or Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management from an accredited institution.

• Experience in a high-volume food service operation

• Demonstrated interpersonal and verbal communication skills necessary for building and maintaining successful work relationships

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple activities and tasks with competing priorities. 

Cook

Minimum requirement:

• Six (6) months of experience in a food service operation or retail operation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) or more years of experience in a food service operation as a cook

• Experience in a high-volume food service 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

• Exemplary customer service skills.

Application Instructions (optional; include only if specific instructions are required)

This is an open pool posting. Applications will be reviewed as hiring needs arise, and qualified applicants may be contacted by the department employment office if a suitable opportunity becomes available. This pool will expire on March 31, 2026 at 11:59pm MT. Applicants wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume addressing the required and preferred job qualifications listed in the posting.

Salary Range

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.

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.