What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cook (Part-Time) - Family Camp in Yosemite - Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) position at City of San Jose?
The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live and visit. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’s strategic plan, envisions healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity, and public life.
The Department creates and activates thriving public places, including over 40 community centers, 10 regional parks, over 200 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and over 65 miles of trail. We also offer diverse programming for all ages and abilities. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.
For more information, please visit sanjoseca.gov/prns.
Family Camp in Yosemite is located in the Sierras, about 10 miles west of Yosemite National Park. Family Camp is a summer recreational facility run by the City of San Jose. The camp serves 250-300 campers per day. The program is geared for families by providing lodging, meal service, recreation activities and retail operations.
NOTE: This position requires the Part-Time Unbenefited Cook to report onsite to the Family Camp Yosemite facility in Groveland, California. On-site living facilities are available during the peak season May-October. Schedule will be determined based on operational needs.
Family Camp at Yosemite is a 51-acre all-inclusive Camp located in Groveland, California near Yosemite National Park where campers are served three meals a day plus snacks and beverages. The Part-Time Cook will be responsible for managing food service operations which include overseeing seasonal staff for kitchen support, menu planning, inventory budgeting, ordering, and control, coordinating with vendors, kitchen maintenance and cleaning, as well as meal preparation for guests and staff (up to 300 people per day).
The Salary range for this classification is $25.96 – $31.52 hourly.
This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.
The Part-Time Unbenefited Cook will work seasonal from April through October with varying hours week to week based on the needs of Camp. Regular season operates May through August this position will work 40 hours a week during this time. The shoulder season (April- May & August to October) schedule will be based on operation needs and private group rentals. The ideal candidate will have experience cooking for a large number of guests, accommodating dietary restrictions and managing a commercial kitchen.
General duties include training part-time food service employees, assigning work and providing direction; developing and maintaining relationships with work experience program volunteers; developing seasonal food and beverage menus; overseeing food preparation quality and safety; and developing and maintaining an attractive and consistent presentation. Additional duties may be assigned in accordance with facility management needs. Please be advised that this position will have a schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays. Additionally, the position requires long periods of standing, walking, use of a hand-held radio and some lifting.
• Ensure guests are provided with quality food and beverage items presented in a professional manner that achieves positive reviews and growing sales.
Interact with park guests to identify, develop, and implement menu items that
appeal to San José's diverse visitors.
• Assist in planning, coordination, and conduct catering for special events, private rentals, birthday parties and evaluate food service program trends.
• Ensure staff and facilities are compliant with County Health Department standards and that all food safety certifications are maintained.
• Enforce proper food preparation and handling procedures, in compliance with all Health Department and Food Service Department policies regarding
sanitation.
• Assist in preparation and servicing of food.
• Provide direction to kitchen staff and volunteers, train, assign and monitor work.
• Coordinate and place orders with food and beverage vendors to ensure that a proper level of inventory is maintained.
• Assist in maintaining cashiers with training and best practices for revenue Security.
Experience: One (1) year of experience in cooking and delivering food services for large groups.
Physical requirement: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
JOB EXPERTISE: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable
professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations
• Experience in a high volume and fast paced food service facility
• Experience preparing meals for catered events.
• Experience preparing menus for a diverse clientele.
• Ability to plan menus and execute them within budget.
• Ability to keep accurate inventory and financial records.
• Ability to maintain high standards of food service, safety and sanitation.
• Exhibits schedulable hours that are broad and flexible enough to fill multiple
shifts within a 7-day week and willing to work holidays.
• ServSafe certification is desired, and training can be provided upon hire for
certification.
LEADERSHIP: Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains
visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a
cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides
motivational supports and direction.
TEAMWORK & INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Develops effective relationships with
co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using
collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs
and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Effectively conveys information and expresses
thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of
listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
COMPUTER SKILLS: Experienced with common business computer applications
including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access,
and MS Excel.
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.
This recruitment is open until filled and the first application review date will be April 2026. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Jaine Davies at jaine.davies@sanjoseca.gov.
Salary : $26 - $32