Location: Williams/Exit 167/Circle Pines KOA Resort – Williams, Arizona
Position Type: Full-time, seasonal
Season: March through the end of October
Pay: Based on experience, qualifications, availability, and seasonal commitment
Schedule: Must be available for a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
Position Summary
Ponderosa Pines Café & Pizzeria is looking for an experienced, hands-on Food Service Lead who takes genuine pride in serving excellent food. We are not a basic heat-and-serve snack bar. Our café prepares high-quality breakfasts, dinners, handcrafted pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other meals for campground guests and the public.
This position is responsible for leading day-to-day food operations while also working alongside the kitchen team. We hope to find someone interested in returning year after year, but we are open to candidates seeking a single seasonal commitment.
Primary Responsibilities
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Maintain high standards for food quality, preparation, presentation, consistency, and portion control.
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Schedule kitchen employees according to operating hours, expected campground occupancy, and business needs.
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Place accurate Sysco and other vendor orders based on occupancy forecasts, inventory, planned specials, and anticipated demand.
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Monitor food inventory, product rotation, waste, storage, and supply levels.
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Create and execute themed weekly specials in coordination with the activities and front desk teams.
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Participate in preparing donuts, event foods, and other activity-related specials offered throughout the campground.
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Train, coach, and provide clear daily direction to kitchen employees.
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Maintain excellent sanitation, food-safety, cleanliness, and organization standards.
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Ensure opening, closing, preparation, temperature, cleaning, and inventory procedures are completed properly.
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Take orders, process payments, prepare food, and communicate professionally with guests.
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Work independently when business levels require one-person coverage and lead a team of up to three kitchen employees during busier periods.
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Respond professionally to guest questions, feedback, and concerns.
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Bring forward creative, realistic ideas for improving the menu, efficiency, guest experience, and continued growth of the café.
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Perform other reasonable food-service duties based on campground needs.
Because we do not use traditional servers, kitchen employees share responsibility for taking orders, preparing meals, serving guests at the counter, and maintaining the dining area.
Qualifications and Physical Requirements
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Previous food-service experience is required.
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Previous kitchen leadership, scheduling, inventory, or ordering experience is strongly preferred.
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Experience with food-cost awareness, forecasting, and commercial food preparation is helpful.
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Ability to work independently and make sound decisions during busy service periods.
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Strong organizational, communication, time-management, and guest-service skills.
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Ability to obtain and maintain any food-safety certifications required for assigned duties.
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Ability to remain on your feet for extended periods and frequently bend, reach, lift, carry, and move food products, deliveries, supplies, and kitchen equipment.
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Ability to work safely around hot surfaces, sharp utensils, commercial appliances, and cleaning products.
Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Guest Service Expectations
Circle Pines is a family-friendly campground, and every kitchen employee is expected to interact with guests as professionally and warmly as a front desk employee. The Food Service Lead must set the example by maintaining a welcoming attitude, communicating respectfully, and handling guest concerns calmly - even during busy periods.
Tips and Employee Benefits
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This is a tipped position. Because there are no traditional servers, eligible tips are pooled among kitchen employees according to company policy and applicable law. Tip amounts are not guaranteed and may vary, but can be substantial. Starting pay is $17.50 per hour, depending on relevant experience and qualifications.
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Free use of on-site laundry facilities.
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Free access to campground amenities, including the indoor pool, hot tubs, playgrounds, mini golf, dog parks, and go-karts.
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Employee discounts at the café, coffee shop, and scooped ice cream counter.
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Employee discounts on eligible general-store purchases.
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50% off propane.
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Direct access to the Kaibab National Forest for hiking, mountain biking, and off-road recreation.
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On-site RV site rent of $200 per month, including utilities, when employee housing is offered as part of a signed seasonal agreement.
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Upon successful completion of the signed agreement, 50% of the site rent paid during the contract period will be returned.
Employee discounts, complimentary amenities, housing, and recreational benefits are subject to availability, operating hours, safety requirements, and campground policies.
Qualities We Value
We do not expect anyone to know everything on their first day. We are looking for someone who is willing to learn, accepts coaching, and consistently contributes to a respectful, low-drama workplace.
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Professional and respectful: Communicates appropriately with guests and coworkers and maintains a presentable appearance.
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Positive problem-solver: Stays calm when things go wrong, focuses on solutions, and asks for help when needed.
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Dependable and accountable: Arrives as scheduled, follows through on responsibilities, communicates honestly, and takes ownership of mistakes.
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Team-oriented: Helps where needed and puts guest safety and service ahead of personal disagreements.
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Drama-free and mature: Addresses concerns directly and appropriately, avoids gossip and unnecessary conflict, and keeps personal disagreements out of the workplace.
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Safety-conscious: Follows procedures consistently and speaks up when equipment or conditions may be unsafe.
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Proud of their work: Cares about the quality of every meal and does not settle for “good enough.”
Equal Employment Opportunity
Circle Pines KOA Resort provides equal employment opportunities without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.
This description outlines the position’s general responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list. Duties may be adjusted based on reasonable operational needs.
About Williams / Exit 167 / Circle Pines KOA Holiday
Welcome to your headquarters for northern Arizona fun! The pine-filled forest setting of Williams / Exit 167 / Circle Pines KOA Holiday is perfect for escaping the heat in summer with average summer highs of just 78 degrees. This destination campground features an indoor swimming pool, the Grand Canyon Go-Kart Track, a gem & fossil mining station, fun-bike rentals, a bike track, 18-hole mini golf & a Jumping Pillow. In summer, the Bear Trax Café serves delicious breakfasts & dinners. Trails for ATVs & bikes start right from the campground. When you’re ready to explore the region, take a short drive to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona / Oak Creek Canyon, Route 66 attractions, ski areas & prehistoric cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon National Monument. Let the staff book train, helicopter, airplane, jeep, ATV & rafting tours for you!
