Job Description

Create Your Experience of a Lifetime!

Come work and play in the mountains!  Whether it’s your first-time seeing snow or you were born on the slopes, joining our team means discovering (or re-discovering!) a passion for the outdoors while building lifelong connections with teammates and guests from around the world.

With 40+ resorts across 3 continents, you can join our team for a season or stay to build a career. From day one, you'll receive some of the highest compensation rates in the industry, free Epic pass(es) along with free ski and snowboard lessons, 40% retail discounts, the chance to grow through Epic Service - our leading training and development experience, and wellness benefits to fuel your success.

Candidates for year-round positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to 90 days after the posting date, or until the position is filled (whichever is first).

Job Benefits

• Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons 
• MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
• 401(k) Retirement Plan 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Excellent training and professional development
• Referral Program
  

Full Time roles are eligible for the above, plus:

• Health Insurance; Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance plans (for eligible seasonal employees after working 500 hours)
• Free ski passes for dependents
• Critical Illness and Accident plans

Job Summary:
An Executive Sous Chef, or Second Chef, is responsible for providing supportive leadership to kitchen staff throughout food service. Their duties include assisting the Executive Chef in monitoring kitchen activities, expediting orders to ensure quality taste or presentation and taking on additional responsibilities in the Executive Chef’s absence to ensure that kitchen staff has proper direction.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: $58,859.00 - $84,084.00 + annual bonus
• Employment Type: Year Round 
• Shift Type: Full Time and Part Time hours available
• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age 
• Housing Availability: Yes  

Job Responsibilities:

General Responsibilities

• Assist Executive Chef in developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all kitchen operations.
• Participate in kitchen setup, including equipment installation, station layout, and small wares organization.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of culinary staff including line cooks, prep staff, and stewards.
• Write and manage daily mise en place and production sheets to ensure readiness for soft openings and tastings.
• Lead product receiving, storage, and rotation processes; train staff on proper procedures.
• Collaborate on menu development and tastings for all outlets, including restaurant, bar, room service, and banquets.
• Establish inventory systems and par levels in coordination with Executive Chef.
• Ensure food safety and sanitation protocols are in place and compliant with local regulations.
• Support soft-opening events, VIP previews, and operational trial runs.

Ongoing Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations across all outlets, ensuring consistency in food quality, presentation, and timing.
• Supervise kitchen opening, closing, and side duties; ensure smooth transitions between AM and PM shifts.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and ordering systems; ensure timely and accurate product receiving.
• Monitor food temperatures during cooking and storage; ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Develop weekly specials to optimize use of inventory and seasonal ingredients.
• Train and mentor staff on culinary techniques, food handling, and sanitation practices.
• Resolve minor disciplinary issues and escalate concerns to Executive Chef as needed.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef on menu updates and seasonal offerings.
• Track and support cost control initiatives including food cost, labor cost, and waste reduction.
• Understand and align with business goals including revenue targets and guest satisfaction metrics.
• Maintain high standards across all kitchen stations (meats, fish, vegetables, sauces, bread, etc.).
• Support banquet and catering operations as needed.
• Represent the culinary team in interdepartmental coordination and guest interactions when required.
• Find innovative solutions to everyday problems
• Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

Required:

• Basic working knowledge of the fundamentals of the broiler, sauté, fry, roast, moist heat and other cooking methods.
• Good working knowledge of accepted standards of sanitation.
• Knowledge of operating all kitchen equipment, i.e., stoves, ovens, broilers, steamers, kettles, etc.
• Basic mathematical skills are necessary to understand recipes, measurements, requisition amounts and portion sizes.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language in order to complete requisitions read recipes and communicates with other team members.
• Sufficient manual dexterity of hand in order to use all kitchen equipment, i.e., knives, spoons, spatulas, tongs, slices, etc.
• Ability to grasp, lift and/or carry, or otherwise, move goods weighing a maximum of 100 lbs. on continuous schedule.
• Ability to stand and to work continuously in confined spaces.
• Ability to perform duties within extreme temperature ranges.
• Ability to perform all assigned tasks and duties with some supervision in an efficient manner.
• Associate Degree in Culinary Arts or international equivalent or 4 years relevant experience.
• Valid Serve-Safe certificate.
• All employees must maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance.

Preferred :

• High School graduate and Culinary or Apprenticeship program
• Prior hotel/restaurant experience.
• Additional language ability.

The expected pay range is $58,859.00 - $84,084.00 + annual bonus. This is the pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.

In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. 

We follow all federal, state, and local laws including restrictions on child/minor labor. Minors hired into this position will not be asked or permitted to engage in any activities restricted to adult workers.

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID  516660
Reference Date: 08/13/2026 
Job Code Function: Back of House

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