Local Foods Educator

Tidelines Institute is a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit that exists to prepare diverse groups of students for lives of citizenship, stewardship, and leadership. We are based out of two campuses, one in Gustavus, Alaska (a small town 50 miles northwest of Juneau) and the other at the Inian Islands (a remote wilderness archipelago 25 miles west of Gustavus). This position will be based in Gustavus. Located at the intersection of the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park, Gustavus is surrounded by some of the most pristine wildland on earth. 

From our 18 acre campus along the Good River, Tidelines seeks to connect our students to the rich abundance of Southeast Alaska. We believe that one of the best ways we can do this is by eating locally. Our waters teem with salmon and halibut, our hillsides with wild game, and our gardens with vegetables and berries. We seek a Local Foods Educator who has a passion for transforming this bounty into nutritious meals for our students and staff. At minimum, the individual needs the culinary skills to prepare regular meals for 10-20 people, the organizational ability to look after a small kitchen, and the desire to pass on those skills to the next generation. We seek candidates who come with relevant experience, but also desire to learn and grow; formal kitchen experience is desired, but not required, for this job. 

This seasonal position runs from May 15th to October 31st 2023, with dates somewhat flexible on either end. For the right person, the position is renewable in future years, and winter work may be available.

Applicants should expect a warm living-learning community where everyone wears many hats: local foods will be the job’s main focus, but ad hoc responsibilities may include assisting with program prep and logistics and serving as student support. While you will have normal work hours, you will be expected to participate in the Tidelines Institute community, taking meals (especially lunches) with students and serving as a teacher and mentor. In return, staff will have access to some of the most extraordinary experiences Alaska has to offer. We will do our best to ensure that all our employees can spend time in Glacier Bay, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and exploring with fellow Tidelines community members

Please visit tidelinesinstitute.org/employment for further information. Inquiries can be directed to Co-Executive Director Laura Marcus at laura@tidelinesinstitute.org

-----

Responsibilities

• Cook two meals each day
• Teach culinary and food preservation skills to Tidelines students
• Conduct regular kitchen inventory
• Coordinate with Garden Educator to maximize amount of garden produce used
• Cook and preserve produce coming in from the garden
• Participate in Tidelines community life (meals, hikes, etc.)
• Provide formal and informal mentorship for Tidelines students
• Assist with regular food ordering and budgeting
• Maximize amount of food made locally (bread, yogurt, granola, etc.)
• Manage kitchen budget
• Keep kitchen tidy
• Assist with other campus tasks as needed

-----

Desired Experience/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, culinary school degree, or relevant life experience
• Experience feeding large groups (either in a professional or informal setting)
• Experience grocery shopping for large groups within a budget
• Experience teaching and mentoring young people
• Experience with canning, pickling, preserving, fermentation and/or baking
• Experience living and working in diverse communities
• Ability to get creative with garden produce and leftovers
• Valid US driver's license
• Hard worker & self-starter; does NOT need 24/7 supervision
• Excellent teamwork skills
• Flexibility, sense of humor, resourcefulness, and positive attitude
• BONUS: experience managing a kitchen, experience butchering meat or processing fish, experience gardening/harvesting wild foods, and/or knowledge of Alaskan food traditions

-----

How to apply:

Please send the following materials to Co-Executive Director Laura Marcus at laura@tidelinesinsititute.org by no later than February 1st, 2023. Inquiries can be directed to the same address.

Cover letter, including

• Your background, skills, & experience
• Your interest in Tidelines Institute’s mission
• Any connections to Alaska
• Dates of availability

Resumé

Contact information for two references