Cookhouse Specialist - Beach Clean-Up

POSITION TITLE: Cookhouse Specialist 

DEPARTMENT: Natural Resources - Remote Beach Clean-Up

WAGE: Contract, $1750.00, Upon Completion 

FUNDING SOURCE: Grant funded 

OPENING: May 18, 2026

CLOSING: May 28, 2026 

Position Summary:

The Camp Cook is responsible for organizing, preparing, and serving meals for staff participating in the Akwe Beach Clean‑Up. This position plays a vital role in supporting crew health, morale, and safety by providing consistent, nutritious meals in a remote camp setting along the Akwe River coast.

The Camp Cook plans and prepares meals for up to 10 people, manages food supplies, and maintains a clean, functional cookhouse that meets food safety standards. Meals may incorporate both traditional and contemporary foods when available and appropriate. The Cook works closely with camp leadership to align meal service with daily clean‑up operations and ensure the cookhouse remains organized, welcoming, and efficient throughout the contract period.

This role requires strong kitchen skills, adaptability, time management, and the ability to work independently in a remote environment while supporting the overall goals of the beach clean‑up.

The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all personal gear, clothing, and supplies necessary to safely and effectively perform the services under this Agreement in a remote camp environment. This includes, but is not limited to, weather‑appropriate clothing, rain gear, personal bedding or sleeping equipment, personal hygiene items, medications, and any other personal necessities required for the duration of the contract.

The Tribe will provide kitchen equipment, cookware, utensils, and food supplies necessary to carry out assigned cooking and food service duties. The Contractor remains responsible for all personal gear and items not directly related to cookhouse operations.

 Essential Functions:

• Plan, prepare, and serve daily meals for beach clean‑up staff (up to 10 people).
• Coordinate meal timing to align with clean‑up schedules and daily operations.
• Maintain food safety standards, kitchen cleanliness, proper food storage, and basic cookhouse maintenance at all times.
• Ensure adequate supply of clean drinking water for camp use.
• Manage grocery and supply inventory, including proper storage, usage tracking, and restocking as needed.
• Maintain a respectful, positive, and welcoming environment in the cookhouse.
• Support set‑up of the cookhouse at the beginning of the contract and complete final clean‑up at the end of the clean‑up period.
• Adapt meal plans as needed based on weather, availability of ingredients, or shifting operational needs.
• Work collaboratively with camp leadership and staff to support overall camp operations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Cooking for small groups in remote or field‑based settings.
• Food safety practices, sanitation standards, and kitchen hygiene.
• Working with Tribal programs or Tribal staff is preferred.
• Traditional Alaska Native foods and subsistence foods is preferred but not required.
• Yakutat Tlingit history, culture, and connection to land and waterways is preferred but not required.
• Willingness to learn and work respectfully in a culturally grounded environment.

Skill in:

• Meal planning, food preparation, and time management in a camp setting.
• Maintaining an organized, efficient, and sanitary cookhouse.
• Strong oral communication and teamwork.
• Dependability, professionalism, and a strong work ethic.
• Problem‑solving and flexibility in changing field conditions.
• Working independently with limited supervision.
• Positive interpersonal skills and cooperative working relationships.

Ability to:

• Handle multiple tasks and work under short timeframes and attend to
• Plan and execute a meal schedule for multiple consecutive days.
• Work outdoors and in a camp kitchen environment with limited infrastructure.
• Adapt meals and workflows to weather conditions, supply availability, and operational needs.
• Meet physical demands including standing for long periods, lifting supplies, and carrying equipment.
• Maintain confidentiality and always demonstrate professionalism.
• Remain on site at a remote Akwe River camp location for the duration of the contract.
• Follow verbal instructions, prioritize workload, and support overall camp success
• Work independently with brief verbal instructions, as well as prioritize

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity.   The employee must be able to read, write, speak and hear.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility:

 This position has no formally assigned supervisory responsibility or authority.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

• Experience cooking for small groups; camp, field, or community kitchen experience preferred.
• Knowledge of traditional Alaska Native foods and their preparation is a plus.
• Knowledge of food safety protocols; ServSafe certification or similar preferred but not required.

• Must be able to pass a National Criminal and State background check.
• Must be able to pass a fingerprint based National Criminal Background Check.
• Valid Alaska Driver’s License.
• Must be reliable and able to remain on site for the full duration of the contract.

• Must be physically able to perform outdoor work in a remote environment, including walking on uneven terrain and carrying supplies.
• Must be reliable, punctual, and able to remain on site for the entire one‑week contract period at a remote location on the Akwe River.
  

Disclosures:

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE WILL BE APPLIED TO HIRING OF THIS POSITION AS DEFINED IN TITLE 25, US CODE, CHAPTER 14, SUBCHAPTER V, SUBSECTION 273 AND 274.  WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER WITH PREFERENCE GIVEN TO QUALIFIED NATIVE AMERICAN/ALASKA NATIVE APPLICANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW AND TRIBAL POLICY.

Preference will be given to qualified Yakutat Tlingit Tribal Member and/or Alaska Native candidates.

THE YAKUTAT TLINGIT TRIBE IS A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. THIS POSITION MAY BE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG TESTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK.