Baker (Limited Pool)

About the Role

Under supervision, Bakers perform or supervise journeymen-level baking duties in a campus bakery and other related duties as required. Bakers typically weigh, sift, measure, and mix baking ingredients; add shortening, yeast, leavening agents, seasoning, water, and milk; prepare ingredients and bake bread, rolls, cookies, pies, cakes, biscuits, and puddings; operate ovens and maintain proper temperature levels; may prepare desserts, fillings and icings; may prepare special diets for patients in a dietary unit; and may supervise Assistant Bakers and Food Service Workers in the preparation of bakery products and in the maintenance of sanitation and safety standards in a campus bakery or kitchen.

Key Responsibilities

• Weigh, sift, measure, and mix baking ingredients. Add shortening, yeast, leavening agents, seasoning, water, milk, and other ingredients.
• Prepare various bakery items, such as cookies, cake, jello, pies, muffins, cobblers, croissants, Danishes, bread, rolls, brownies, biscuits, and pudding.
• Follow recipes, portion guidelines, production requirements, and quality standards to produce and present daily menu items.
• Place prepared food items in proper food storage containers, seal them, and label them for distribution to assigned locations.
• Safely and appropriately operate bakery equipment to prepare large quantities of items.
• At times, load prepared items and deliver them to assigned food preparation/display area with UC Merced Dining.
• Ensure all food items assigned to be finished for customers are presented in a restaurant-style.
• Consistently complete assigned production flow/service records accurately.
• Comply with food handlers procedures required by federal and state laws and department requirements.
• Operate and clean various types of baking equipment such as mixers, ovens, proofers, and dough sheeters.
• Verify proper concentration of sanitized solution using test strips.
• Interact with internal & external customers by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm & integrity.
• Convey a welcoming attitude. Greet customers. Interact pleasantly. Anticipate customer needs. Display a positive demeanor.
• Participate in production & unit/departmental meetings, workshops & conferences regularly.
• Ensure a positive guest experience by accommodating special requests & making suggestions.
• Listen carefully to customers' concerns/questions & answer appropriately.
• Act professionally; ensure that message, tone, body language & attentiveness exhibit a high level of helpfulness, commitment & customer service.
• Encourage collaboration & problem-solving with co-workers.
• Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Keep work area clean & debris free. Identify & correct hazards.
• Set up and clean equipment, work tables, sinks, and drains in kitchen areas at the beginning and end of each shift.
• Ensure compliance with State & Federal Sanitation Guidelines. Use appropriate cleaning agents to perform general kitchen maintenance. Notify management of maintenance problems.
• Independently safely use, assemble, disassemble & train others to use kitchen equipment following University Dining Services standards.
• Ensures that food quality and safety guidelines are maintained to achieve the highest public health standards and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
• Records daily HACCP time and temperature logs. Adheres to HACCP guidelines to ensure practices are in continued compliance with State and Federal Sanitation Guidelines.
• In conjunction with Unit Management, monitors kitchen facilities, property, and staff for safety and security.
• Sort waste for recycling & pre/post-consumer composting. Share sustainability knowledge. Maintain security of Unit equipment and supplies. Empty trash & recycling receptacles. Maintain adequate supply closets.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, General Equivalency Degree (GED), or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or equivalent.
• 3 years of experience in the preparation of bakery products and general maintenance of a bakery or kitchen area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skills

• Excellent customer service skills to cooperate with public and other staff members and convey a helpful, positive attitude.
• Interpersonal skills to work effectively with and provide excellent customer service to a diverse campus community.
• Communication skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Culinary experience and/or equivalent training in a high-volume, industrial culinary environment.
• Experience with professional baking techniques.
• Skill to taste and discern product quality, read and interpret recipes and menus, estimate ingredient requirements, check production, and keep records to accurately plan production requirements and request supplies and equipment.
• Skill to prepare complex recipes and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of cuisines from varying customer bases, including Regional American, Asian, Italian and Mexican, Vegetarian, Vegan.
• Ability to work with Nutrition Services and execute culinary and nutritional requirements for special diets (vegan, gluten-free, kosher, etc.).
• Skill to check recipes, recognize problems and make corrections as needed.
• Skill to guide a wide range of tasks to student assistants and kitchen support staff (Lead food service workers).
• Skill to differentiate products' composition, biodegradability, nutrition, etc.
• Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot problems as they arise, find alternate solutions, and implement solutions in a professional and efficient manner.
• Knowledge of proper procedures for lifting and handling broken glass and skill to use wet floor signs when mopping floors or cleaning up spills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with culinary techniques, including but not limited to: baking, sautéing, grilling, frying, steaming, and preparing sauces and stocks.

Pay

The hourly range for this position is Step 1: $26.65/hr – Step 13: $33.76/hr. The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is at a Step 1: $26.65/hr.

Schedule

This position is On-Site.