Culinary Educator - UMN Arboretum

"The Farm at the Arb Culinary Educator at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is responsible for development and implementation of educational culinary experiences that engage audiences with the plant collections at the farm at the Arb. Plant collections include conventionally grown agronomic crops, organically produced horticulture vegetable crops, and fruit crops that include apples and grapes.

This is a 75% time (30 hours/week) position that reports directly to the Arboretum Adult Education Program Manager and works closely with the Arboretum Culinary Manager. Some night and weekend work hours may be required.

Please note that this position is located at the University of Minnesota Arboretum in Chaska, MN. This position offers a hybrid work schedule past the onboarding period, can be discussed during the interview stage.

Job Responsibilities

60% Culinary Education Experiences

• Create, plan, implement and facilitate a series of financially sustainable culinary experiences for a diversity of intended audiences at the Farm at the Arb Myers Center Kitchen Classroom in collaboration with the Arboretum Culinary Manager. Formats include in-person, distance synchronous, hybrid, and recorded. Approximately 60 experiences per year including custom classes, individual registrant classes, and externally funded educational experiences to total at least $100,000 annually.

20% Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• Identify and engage stakeholders in this work to include: chefs, makers, growers, and others relevant to the food preparation part of our food system.
• Work with Adult Education Manager for all aspects of negotiating rates/scope of work, and paying contracted guest chefs and instructors.

20% Kitchen Management and Staffing

• Ensure serve-safe standards are maintained in the kitchen (appliances, fixtures, tables, stored food, etc.) at all times.
• Ensure all guest chefs and volunteers adhere to all serve-safe standards.
• Recruit, train, supervise and sustain a cohort of approximately 20 volunteers.
• Maintain inventory of tools and small appliances, and notify supervisors when replacements (or new) are needed.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and four years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 8 years in the following:
  • Leading culinary program development and implementation in a catering, restaurant, or other public facing food service setting
  • Experience developing menus, new recipes, procuring ingredients, and food safety practices
  • Successful experience engaging audiences in food preparation techniques and facilitating group learning experiences
• Proficiency in basic computer applications (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Zoom applications)

Preferred Qualifications

• Connections and working relationships with Minnesota growers, restaurateurs, makers, and other relevant food system stakeholders
• Creative original menu and recipe development utilizing Minnesota Grown and value-added products
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills, and active listening, dynamic flexibility, critical thinking, and ability to multitask
• Commitment to excellent customer service and a strong work ethic
• ServeSafe certificate

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift 25lbs occasionally
• Sufficient manual dexterity in hands in order to use knives and other kitchen equipment

Pay Range: $28.00 - $31.50 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75% Appointment, 12 month

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).