Head Chef Green Card Jobs
Head Chef roles can qualify for green card sponsorship under EB-2 or EB-3, depending on your credentials and the employer's petition. The PERM labor certification process requires your employer to document that no qualified U.S. workers are available before filing an I-140 immigrant petition on your behalf, putting you on a path to lawful permanent residency.
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Internal candidate identified
This position oversees the operations of the Shoals Marine Laboratory kitchen on Appledore Island, leading the planning and preparation of 20+ meals per week for up to 100 residents and visitors. Responsibilities include menu planning, food purchasing, budgeting, and ensuring meals are made primarily from scratch using local ingredients when possible. The role involves supervising and scheduling kitchen staff, student workers, and volunteers while maintaining relationships with food suppliers, with an emphasis on sustainability and food waste reduction. Additionally, the position ensures compliance with health and safety regulations, upholds a clean and safe kitchen environment, and provides excellent customer service. The individual fosters an inclusive and welcoming community and communicates with island residents about food sourcing. Availability for emergency response while on duty, serving as a crew member on a commercial vessel, and potentially operating small boats are also key responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Supervise operations of the Shoals Marine Laboratory kitchen on Appledore Island.
- Lead the planning and preparation of 20+ meals per week for Appledore Island for up to 100 residents and additional groups of day visitors, and on island catering.
- Primarily from scratch utilizing local producers when feasible to produce hearty and well balanced healthy meals.
- Maintain and coordinate relationships with food suppliers, with an emphasis on local ingredients and farms and fishers.
- Supervise and schedule all employees working in the SML kitchen, consisting of a small core team, student workers, and occasional volunteers in collaboration with Island Coordinator team.
- Develop and maintain a professional team that reflects courtesy, civility, and mutual respect.
- Maintain responsibility for menu planning, management of dietary restrictions, food purchasing and budgeting, food transportation, kitchen cleaning, dishwashing, and food storage.
- Maintain a keen focus on sustainability and food waste reduction.
- Ensure compliance with Maine Department of Health regulations, utilizing FDA HACCP and Serve Safe guidelines to ensure safe food storage and preparation.
- Maintain cleanliness and safe operating environment of kitchen at all times.
- Provide exemplary customer service.
- Communicate with island community about food – ingredients, sharing sources as needed and possible.
- Foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for staff, students, researchers, and visitors.
- Implement initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Expected to be available for consultation and emergency response at all times, on days scheduled to be working, and while on SML property and vessels.
- Serve as a crew member on board a commercial vessel, and operator of small vessels.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:
- Experience as a head or executive chef successfully leading dining services teams in successful execution of regular meal service for large groups of more than 50.
- Ensure a culture of cooking from scratch when possible and in a healthy manner.
- Experience in addressing allergy, food preferences and food intolerances in a discrete and safe manner.
- Knowledge of basic computer skills; proven organization skills; attention to detail along with experience managing multiple tasks.
- Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States.
- Selected candidates must be able to successfully participate in pre-employment and random drug testing.
- Meet the University of New Hampshire’s hiring requirements for both criminal and driving history (background checks are required).
- Applicants must have interest in working in a remote educational environment.
- Good communication skills and ability to work well with students, faculty and other staff members in an isolated environment.
- ServSafe Manager Certificate (or willingness to obtain in first two weeks of employment).
Required Licenses & Certifications:
- Serve as a crew member on board a commercial or an oceanographic vessel, Valid Drivers License and Safe Driving Record.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Must be able to work with as a team member with students, faculty and staff in an isolated and physically demanding environment involving long hours.
- Must be willing and able to assist with moving, packing, loading and unloading of supply runs both on Appledore and on the mainland.
- Must be able to lift and move more than 50 lbs.
- Must be able to work while standing and moving 8-11+ hours per day.
Other Requirements:
- Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) is a residential, teaching facility located on Appledore Island, Isles of Shoals, Maine. The island field station is open seasonally from May-September, and supports students, faculty, visitors and staff in a close-knit, sustainable community.
- Room and board are provided for island staff. All staff serve the island community as a team with each department working together to support SML’s programs. It is everyone’s responsibility to foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all.
- Living and working on a remote island is a unique experience which requires that everyone pitch in to help, even when it is not part of their job description, or during their scheduled hours. This includes, but is not limited to helping clean up after meals, helping transport goods from the vessels to other locations on the island, operating as crew aboard vessels, and generally being supportive and helpful with other members of our community.
- The University of New Hampshire is committed to providing a safe environment for all persons, including but not limited to children, and to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and crimes against children. All UNH youth program staff shall be subject to a criminal background check as required by NH State Law. Staff and volunteers will also be required to complete periodic child safety training.
Compensation Pay Range
$1,900.00 per week
The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
EEO Statement
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.
Location:
Durham
Salary Grade:
Period Activity

Internal candidate identified
This position oversees the operations of the Shoals Marine Laboratory kitchen on Appledore Island, leading the planning and preparation of 20+ meals per week for up to 100 residents and visitors. Responsibilities include menu planning, food purchasing, budgeting, and ensuring meals are made primarily from scratch using local ingredients when possible. The role involves supervising and scheduling kitchen staff, student workers, and volunteers while maintaining relationships with food suppliers, with an emphasis on sustainability and food waste reduction. Additionally, the position ensures compliance with health and safety regulations, upholds a clean and safe kitchen environment, and provides excellent customer service. The individual fosters an inclusive and welcoming community and communicates with island residents about food sourcing. Availability for emergency response while on duty, serving as a crew member on a commercial vessel, and potentially operating small boats are also key responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Supervise operations of the Shoals Marine Laboratory kitchen on Appledore Island.
- Lead the planning and preparation of 20+ meals per week for Appledore Island for up to 100 residents and additional groups of day visitors, and on island catering.
- Primarily from scratch utilizing local producers when feasible to produce hearty and well balanced healthy meals.
- Maintain and coordinate relationships with food suppliers, with an emphasis on local ingredients and farms and fishers.
- Supervise and schedule all employees working in the SML kitchen, consisting of a small core team, student workers, and occasional volunteers in collaboration with Island Coordinator team.
- Develop and maintain a professional team that reflects courtesy, civility, and mutual respect.
- Maintain responsibility for menu planning, management of dietary restrictions, food purchasing and budgeting, food transportation, kitchen cleaning, dishwashing, and food storage.
- Maintain a keen focus on sustainability and food waste reduction.
- Ensure compliance with Maine Department of Health regulations, utilizing FDA HACCP and Serve Safe guidelines to ensure safe food storage and preparation.
- Maintain cleanliness and safe operating environment of kitchen at all times.
- Provide exemplary customer service.
- Communicate with island community about food – ingredients, sharing sources as needed and possible.
- Foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for staff, students, researchers, and visitors.
- Implement initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Expected to be available for consultation and emergency response at all times, on days scheduled to be working, and while on SML property and vessels.
- Serve as a crew member on board a commercial vessel, and operator of small vessels.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:
- Experience as a head or executive chef successfully leading dining services teams in successful execution of regular meal service for large groups of more than 50.
- Ensure a culture of cooking from scratch when possible and in a healthy manner.
- Experience in addressing allergy, food preferences and food intolerances in a discrete and safe manner.
- Knowledge of basic computer skills; proven organization skills; attention to detail along with experience managing multiple tasks.
- Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States.
- Selected candidates must be able to successfully participate in pre-employment and random drug testing.
- Meet the University of New Hampshire’s hiring requirements for both criminal and driving history (background checks are required).
- Applicants must have interest in working in a remote educational environment.
- Good communication skills and ability to work well with students, faculty and other staff members in an isolated environment.
- ServSafe Manager Certificate (or willingness to obtain in first two weeks of employment).
Required Licenses & Certifications:
- Serve as a crew member on board a commercial or an oceanographic vessel, Valid Drivers License and Safe Driving Record.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Must be able to work with as a team member with students, faculty and staff in an isolated and physically demanding environment involving long hours.
- Must be willing and able to assist with moving, packing, loading and unloading of supply runs both on Appledore and on the mainland.
- Must be able to lift and move more than 50 lbs.
- Must be able to work while standing and moving 8-11+ hours per day.
Other Requirements:
- Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) is a residential, teaching facility located on Appledore Island, Isles of Shoals, Maine. The island field station is open seasonally from May-September, and supports students, faculty, visitors and staff in a close-knit, sustainable community.
- Room and board are provided for island staff. All staff serve the island community as a team with each department working together to support SML’s programs. It is everyone’s responsibility to foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all.
- Living and working on a remote island is a unique experience which requires that everyone pitch in to help, even when it is not part of their job description, or during their scheduled hours. This includes, but is not limited to helping clean up after meals, helping transport goods from the vessels to other locations on the island, operating as crew aboard vessels, and generally being supportive and helpful with other members of our community.
- The University of New Hampshire is committed to providing a safe environment for all persons, including but not limited to children, and to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and crimes against children. All UNH youth program staff shall be subject to a criminal background check as required by NH State Law. Staff and volunteers will also be required to complete periodic child safety training.
Compensation Pay Range
$1,900.00 per week
The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
EEO Statement
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.
Location:
Durham
Salary Grade:
Period Activity
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Head Chef
Document your culinary credentials before applying
Gather diplomas, apprenticeship certificates, and letters from former employers confirming your title and years in each role. PERM audits frequently target chef positions, and a complete credential file speeds up your employer's DOL labor certification filing.
Target restaurants with existing PERM filing history
Hotel groups, casino food and beverage operations, and multi-unit restaurant chains are far more likely to have in-house HR teams experienced with PERM sponsorship than independent fine-dining concepts that have never sponsored a foreign worker.
Clarify EB-2 versus EB-3 eligibility with your employer
If the role requires a culinary arts degree and significant supervisory experience, EB-2 may apply. Without an advanced degree, EB-3 skilled worker is the standard route. The category affects your priority date and wait time, especially for applicants from high-demand countries.
Search for green card sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Filter by Head Chef roles where employers have active PERM or I-140 history. Migrate Mate surfaces sponsorship data by employer so you can target kitchen leadership positions at companies already familiar with the green card process.
Verify the prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Your employer must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your specific location and job zone. Use the OFLC Wage Search to check the Level I through Level IV wage range for Head Chef in your target city before you sign an offer letter.
Understand how PERM job requirements constrain your role description
DOL requires the PERM job description to reflect the employer's actual minimum requirements. Listing advanced skills your employer does not genuinely need can trigger an audit. Work with your employer to ensure the posted duties match the real day-to-day Head Chef responsibilities.
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Find Head Chef JobsHead Chef Green Card Sponsorship: Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Head Chef role qualify for EB-2 green card sponsorship?
Yes, but it depends on how the role is defined. EB-2 requires the position to genuinely need an advanced degree, such as a master's in culinary arts or hospitality management, or equivalent credentials. Most Head Chef sponsorships file under EB-3 skilled worker instead, since the role typically requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent professional training rather than a graduate degree.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for a Head Chef?
Unlike H-1B, EB-3 green card sponsorship has no annual lottery and leads directly to lawful permanent residency rather than temporary status. The tradeoff is timeline: PERM labor certification, I-140 filing, and visa availability together often take two to four years or longer depending on your country of birth. H-1B also has narrower specialty occupation requirements that can be harder to satisfy for culinary roles.
What does the PERM process look like for a Head Chef position?
Your employer files the PERM application with DOL after completing a supervised recruitment campaign to confirm no qualified U.S. workers are available for the role. DOL then certifies or audits the application. Once certified, the employer files an I-140 immigrant petition with USCIS. After your priority date becomes current, you apply for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa to receive your green card.
How can I find Head Chef jobs that include green card sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you search Head Chef positions filtered by employers with documented PERM or I-140 sponsorship history. This saves significant time compared to cold-applying and then asking each employer whether they sponsor, which many HR teams are unfamiliar with or unwilling to initiate without a strong candidate already identified.
Will my employer need to pay the prevailing wage throughout the green card process?
DOL requires the employer to certify that the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for the Head Chef role at the time of PERM filing. The wage must also be paid once you receive your green card and begin work in the certified position. You can verify current wage levels for your specific city and role classification through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting any offer.
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