Kitchen Assistant

Location: Bremen, ME

Full time

Requisition : JR1014

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science‑based, community‑driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet's health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet.

Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever‑growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more ubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

The Hog Island Kitchen Assistant works in coordination with the kitchen staff of Hog Island that also includes a Head Chef, Sous Chef, and the help of a group of devoted Friends of Hog Island (FOHI) volunteers. The kitchen team provides 3 meals a day for up to 80 people during the course of the 6‑day, 5‑night camp sessions. A commercial‑grade kitchen is part of the dining building known as "The Bridge."

Under direction from the Head or Sous Chef, the Kitchen Assistant will assist with food preparation and clean up including cleaning equipment, cold storage, and pantry spaces. They will assist in acquiring, transporting, and inventorying orders from farms and distributors, including transport to island by boat. They will work closely with a team of dedicated FOHI volunteers who will be aiding the kitchen team.

The kitchen team will have to abide by standard health and safety protocols, and the Kitchen Assistant will be responsible to abide by these protocols.

The Kitchen Assistant is required to live in housing on Hog Island in order to perform the functions of this position. Audubon will provide the Kitchen Assistant with a room with shared bath. The work schedule is 40 hours per week, and the day revolves around meal planning and service that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a six‑day/ five‑night program schedule.

This is a seasonal role. Weekend work is required. Some weeks will not include a full schedule, and full hours may not be expected all weeks.

** Preferred candidates will be available from May 11 to October 2, 2026 **

• Length of Assignment:
  May 11, 2026 - October 2, 2026
• Hours:
  
  40 per week
• This role is on‑site at the Seabird Institute in Bremen, ME.
• Compensation: $19.00 - $20.00 / hour

• Assist with food preparation, cooking, and kitchen assignments.
• Assist with local acquisition of food and supplies, including pickups from local farms and ferrying groceries across from the mainland.
• Interface with kitchen volunteers as necessary to ensure safe and efficient task completion.
• Conduct inventories of food stocks in the kitchen.
• Help maintain a clean and healthy working environment, including regular and deep cleaning of kitchen equipment and spaces.
• Assist with managing kitchen waste streams including trash, recycling, returnables, and compost.
• Regular wipe downs and cleaning in accordance with health and safety protocols.
• Assist in implementing waste reduction measures throughout the kitchen, including managing inventories of prepared food.
• Help to serve and present the kitchen's sustainability and service mission to diners on a regular basis.
• Participate in weekly meetings with the Hog Island staff
• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.
• Other job duties as given.

• Undergraduate or recent graduate in culinary arts, conservation, or related discipline with experience or interest in culinary arts and/or hospitality is desirable; experience at a residential nature camp is desirable.
• Preferred candidate will be able remain stationary for extended periods and be able to maneuver at least 50 lbs. repeatedly throughout the day.
• Able to traverse uneven terrain for up to 2 miles at a time with or…