TENNESSEE STATE PARKS LEAD COOK - 09152026-80842

About the role

Full-time position located at Fall Creek Falls State Park Lodge in Van Buren County, Spencer, TN, within the Department of Environment and Conservation. Opening date: 09/15/2026 12:00 AM Central Time; closing date: 09/28/2026 11:59 PM Central Time.

Responsibilities

• Operate a variety of commercial-grade kitchen appliances.
• Coaches and trains new or less experienced workers in the kitchen.
• Prepare restaurant meals to order in a timely manner to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Prepare food for catered events as contracted by the Lodge.
• Prioritize food prep tasks based on knowledge of the time needed to cook and prepare food items.
• Maintain a clean and functional kitchen that exceeds the Department of Health expectations.
• Bake bread, rolls, cakes, pies, and pastries.
• Cleans, cuts, and cooks (by roasting, broiling, baking, and frying) meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: High School diploma plus 4 years experience preparing food in a kitchen serving both restaurant and catering operations.
• Substitution of Education for Experience: A bachelor's degree in culinary arts or food and beverage management is preferred and can substitute on a year-by-year basis for the required experience, up to 3 years.
• Necessary Special Qualifications: Employees must obtain the below certifications within 90 days of hire: ServSafe certification is required.
• Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Skills

• Knowledge: Action Oriented, Command Skills, Composure, Conflict Management, Customer Focus, Decision Quality, Informing, Integrity and Trust, Planning, Time Management, Knowledge Clerical, Customer and Personal Service, Economics and Accounting, English Language, Food Production
• Skills: Active Learning, Active Listening, Instructing, Judgment and Decision Making, Management of Financial Resources, Management of Personnel Resources, Persuasion, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Service Orientation, Speaking, Time Management
• Abilities: Auditory Attention, Depth Perception, Extent Flexibility, Gross Body Coordination, Manual Dexterity, Memorization, Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression, Peripheral Vision, Speech Clarity, Stamina, Time Sharing, Written Comprehension
• Tools & Equipment: Computer, Telephone, Printer, Calculator, Oven, Stove-top, Grill, Deep Fat Fryer, Steamer, Food Slicer, Food Chopper, Mixers, Pressure Cooker, Microwave, Cooking Thermometer, Dishwasher

Pay

Salary: $2,896.00 per month ($34,752.00 annually).