The High Mountain Institute is seeking a Kitchen and Wilderness Fellow, a 10 month fellowship in the HMI Semester and Gap Programs. The ideal job candidate would be interested in developing skills in the areas of food service, wilderness instruction, and education. Responsibilities include on-campus food service, expedition rationing, menu planning, food ordering, budgeting, training others, kitchen curriculum development, leading extended wilderness expeditions, and various residential life duties. 

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Work with HMI’s kitchen manager and help support a commercial kitchen that serves 65-85 individuals (an average of 2.5 days a week in the kitchen). 

• Prepare healthy food from scratch that meets our mission of “Simple in Means, Rich in Ends.”
• Accommodate a variety of dietary preferences and food allergies.
• Run a rations room that supports student expedition group food preparation (an average of 1.5 days a week).
• Supervise apprentice and student cook crews and provide relevant instruction in food preparation, meal planning, and kitchen safety.
• Instruct and support on two student wilderness expeditions (one per semester)
• Serve as Expedition Runner on two Semester wilderness expeditions
• Various residential life responsibilities (an average of 8 hours a week). 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• BA/BS
• Prior backcountry wilderness experience
• Ability to backpack for 10-18 days at a time
• Legal work authorization in the United States
• Ability to pass a criminal background check

Suggested Qualifications:

• Interest in food service, specifically cooking homemade, nutritious, and delicious meals for large groups.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, including multi-tasking and delegating 
• Computer Skills (Google Suite)
• Experience working with high school students
• Passion for the outdoors and education
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule; intensive on then off schedule – vacations to be scheduled during program breaks

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every listed qualification.

Employment Dates: August 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027

Position Pay & Benefits:

• The total compensation for this 10 month position is $21,600 (inclusive of on-campus housing). 
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid parental/FAMLI leave benefits
• Approximately 5-7 weeks time off (during academic breaks)

Housing at HMI: HMI is proud to offer recently-constructed on-campus housing to its employees. Living on campus is a condition of employment. Total Compensation is the combination of cash salary plus the value of on-campus housing. For example, a Total Compensation of $50,000 typically represents a cash salary of $41,000 and $9,000 of housing value. Actual figures vary by employee and living arrangement, with typical on-campus housing value of $9,000 for most employees ($7,500 for 10 months of employment).

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail to Phoebe Gray, Administrative Coordinator for the HMI Semester, at kitchenwilderness@hminet.org and fill out the HMI Prospective Employment Form online. We begin our initial review of applications on February 23rd and will continue reviewing applications until the position is filled. Correspondence via e-mail is preferred.

Correspondence via e-mail is preferred. 

About the High Mountain Institute: Founded in 1995, HMI is a nonprofit independent school with a focus on outdoor, experiential, and place-based education. HMI serves approximately 150 students per year across its high school, summer, and gap programming. About 30% of students receive financial aid, and a similar percentage identify as people of color. All HMI students participate in extended wilderness expeditions lasting from 10-21 days. HMI is not a rehabilitative or wilderness therapy program. HMI students are high-achieving, healthy students seeking challenge, a strong community, and a deeper connection to nature. HMI has about 25 year-round staff, most of whom live on campus. Learn more at: www.hminet.org

Equity and Inclusion at HMI: The High Mountain Institute is committed to building a more diverse and affirming school and outdoor industry. HMI is an equal opportunity employer that strives for diversity by honoring the differences of each member of our community. We seek to build a community (of faculty, staff, students, and trustees) that is ethnically, socio-economically, and geographically diverse and that brings a diversity of experience, background, talent, and perspective. People of color, LGBTQ and gender nonbinary people, and people with other historically marginalized identities are encouraged to apply. Learn more at: www.hminet.org/dei.

The school reserves the right to change or add to this job description at any time.

About High Mountain Institute

About the High Mountain Institute: Founded in 1995, HMI is a nonprofit independent school with a focus on outdoor, experiential, and place-based education. HMI serves approximately 175 students per year across its high school, summer, and gap programming. About 30% of students receive financial aid and a similar percentage identify as people of color. All HMI students participate in extended wilderness expeditions lasting from 10-21 days. HMI is not a rehabilitative or wilderness therapy program. HMI students are high-achieving, healthy students seeking challenge, a strong community, and a deeper connection to nature. HMI has nearly 30 year-round staff, about half of whom live on campus. Learn more at: www.hminet.org.

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