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Job Category:
University Staff
Employment Type:
Temporary (Fixed Term)
Job Profile:
Food Service Assistant
Job Summary:
The Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center seeks a reliable and detail-oriented Seasonal Cook. This position will prepare food and complete related tasks according to quality and safety standards to ensure customer satisfaction and achieve departmental food service
goals. Responsibilities may include:
Demonstrate and role model exceptional customer service
Interact with customers while displaying knowledge of food products, allergens, and safety.
Perform duties in a high-volume, dynamic, student residential dining environment.
Perform food production for youth camp groups (up to 150), catering for our on-site conference center for site demands.
Perform cleaning of kitchen and dining hall.
Perform custodial duties when not assigned to kitchen.
Provide support and assistance as needed in the implementation of plans and procedures in the event of an emergency.
Physical Requirements
Frequent standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping,
repetitive movements, eye/hand/foot coordination
Occasional sitting, balancing
Rarely climbing or crawling
Temporary Position
This position has the possibility to be extended based on need and/or funding.
FTE
This is a variable FTE appointment, between May-August, the estimated FTE is approximately 100% (40 hours per week), September - November will be based on reservations.
In Person
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.
Evening/Weekend Work
This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Cleaning, sanitizing, and maintaining a variety of buildings related to Upham Woods including the dormitory, Lodge, Dining Hall, Nature Center, Bathhouse and Cabins.
- Cleans, inspects, and maintains kitchen equipment and work areas
- Greets customers, answers questions, and provides information regarding food preparation and associated activities
- Adheres to federal, state, campus, and local food safety regulations, policies, and procedures
Department:
Division of Extension, Natural Resources Institute, Upham Woods is hiring for an Upham Woods Seasonal Cook.
About Extension:
UW-Madison’s Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local, statewide and national issues, improving lives through research-based education, fostering partnerships and action, and facilitating positive impacts.
About the Institute:
The Extension Natural Resources Institute (https://naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/) addresses today's critical environmental issues, particularly the sustainable management of food, water, and energy, by using collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches grounded in an
understanding of human interactions with resources. We leverage our diverse team of researchers and outreach specialists to provide science-based information and education, embodying the Wisconsin Idea through extensive partnerships. Ultimately, our mission is to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that benefit our shared natural resources through a variety of programs.
About the Upham Woods:
Upham Woods is a residential center within the UW-Madison, Division of Extension located in pristine forests along the beautiful Wisconsin River, two miles north of Wisconsin Dells. More information about the Upham Woods community can be found at https://fyi.extension.wisc.ed
u/uphamwoods.
Upham Woods provides hands-on, field-based education and recreation opportunities to youth, youth leaders, and adults through programs focused on environmental and leadership education. The Center consists of 14 buildings including a new welcome center, full-service kitchen and dining hall, nature center, and lodging for visitors and seasonal staff. The Center sits on the Wisconsin River with over 300 acres of forested land, including a 210- acre state natural area island. This position joins a highly collaborative team of educators passionate about connecting youth and adults to positive outdoor learning experiences with the goal of developing future stewards of Wisconsin's natural resources.
Compensation:
The minimum annual (12 months) hourly rate for the position is $17 per hour.
Required Qualifications:
Be able to read and follow work instructions and schedules, warning signs and instructions for equipment operations.
Have basic knowledge of food preparation and food safety procedures.
Have basic knowledge of facility cleaning.
Have physical strength and stamina to perform required work -including ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and work on feet for long periods of time.
Must be courteous with staff, clients and the public.
Must have good oral and written communication skills.
Ability to identify priorities.
Ability to work effectively with supervision and as part of a team.
Reliable means of transportation to and from work.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working in a kitchen, catering, or making food for 100+ people.
Familiarity with federal, state, and local food safety policies and procedures.
Drivers License - Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards.
Education:
Required Education
High School diploma or equivalent
Preferred Certifications
Food Handler or Safe Serve Certification
How to Apply:
We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:
Please submit a cover letter referring to your work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background as it relates to this position. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews. For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting, please click https://extension.wisc.edu/careers/.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship)
on or before the effective date of appointment.
This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.
Application Deadline is February 11, 2026 at 11:59pm (CST).
Contact Information:
Craig Boehlke
cjboehlke@wisc.edu
(608) 254-5461
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.