Desert Studies Lead Cook (Cook II Lead)

Job no: 559999

Work type: Staff

Location: Fullerton

Categories: Unit 5 - CSUEU - Operations and Support Services, Administrative, Temporary, Time Varies

Job Title

Desert Studies Lead Cook

Classification

Cook II Lead

Auto Req. ID

559999

Salary Range

Classification Range $21.55 - $30.18 per hour

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $21.55 - $23.72 per hour)

Work Schedule

Schedule will vary according to department needs. This is a temporary, intermittent, on-call position to end on or before June 30, 2027, with a possibility of renewal on an annual basis if funds and/or program needs exist.

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

The California Desert Studies Consortium was established in 1974 as an academic collaboration among seven California State University campuses. The mission of the Consortium is to encourage the understanding of, and appreciation for, the California deserts by developing student academic skills and public awareness through a desert studies program which includes instruction, research, and special programs. We seek an exceptional individual to join our team as the Desert Studies Lead Cook (Cook II Lead) to plan, organize, and prepare meals for guests that visit the remote field station during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude and an active, energetic mind characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under general direction, the Desert Studies Lead Cook plans, organizes, and oversees the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food; cleans and maintains culinary equipment, supplies, and work areas; and purchases and monitors inventory of supplies. Performs more complex tasks required in purchasing, preparing, cooking, and serving a variety of food and beverage items; planning meals and traveling long distances to purchase supplies within a budget; cleaning and maintaining culinary utensils, equipment, preparation and serving areas; maintaining hygienic, safety, and sanitation standards; keeping records and submitting receipts and invoices; inspecting, storing, and inventorying supplies; providing instruction and training to other employees and kitchen users, and solving work problems. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Equivalent to one year of experience performing the duties of Cook I – Lead or equivalent to two years of experience in a lead capacity over cooks and/or food service workers with the responsibility for planning and scheduling the preparation, cooking, and serving of meals for at least 250 persons a meal.

Working knowledge of kitchen sanitation and safety measures; food handling sanitation; principles, procedures, and equipment used in the storage, care, preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food in large quantity; methods and procedures used in the operations, cleaning and care of utensils, equipment and work areas; food values; nutritional and economical substitutions within food groups.

Ability to plan menus; lead and instruct others in appropriate methods of food handling and cleanup techniques; communicate effectively; solve work problems; adjust priorities; make necessary changes in duties and methods; and make sound decisions.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

License/Certifications

A valid California driver’s license.

Special Working Conditions

Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator

Desert Studies is a remote field station near Zzyzx, California in the Mojave Desert, south of Baker, California. The nearest grocery stores are more than one hour away. On-site housing is provided.

Benefits at a Glance

An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage

Dental and Vision coverage

Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability

Retirement plan through CalPERS

Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible

FlexCash (in lieu of health and dental)

Employee Assistance Programs

15 paid holidays

See our CSUF Benefits website for additional information.

Additional Information

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirement outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.

Online application/resume must be received by electronic submission on the final filing date by 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)/midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Applicants who fail to complete all sections of the online application form will be disqualified from consideration.

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring any new H-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

Effective October 1, 2025, the California State University (CSU) will implement a salary step structure for CSUEU-represented employees in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9. This position may be subject to changes resulting from this implementation, in alignment with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Hiring Preference

On-Campus CSUEU Employees

Advertised: Jul 23 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close: Aug 06 2026 Pacific Daylight Time