Cook, Dining Services

UC Riverside's Dining Services is recruiting for a partial-year career Cook. The full salary range is $26.85–$34.01 per hour, based on education, licensure, certifications, experience, and other business needs.

About the role

The Cook provides team leadership, training, and support in production and/or service of one or more food products for a specific station or multiple stations from a specified menu. Responsibilities include adhering to food handling and sanitation guidelines, following production timelines, and interacting with team members and guests in a high-volume dining setting. Incumbents typically lead or train Assistant Cooks, Senior Food Service Workers, or students in proper food preparation, service, and sanitation.

Schedule

This position is scheduled 10 months of the year (September through June), with leave without pay from July through August.

Responsibilities

• Provide team leadership, training, and support in food production and service for one or more stations.
• Adhere to all food handling and sanitation guidelines.
• Follow established timelines for food production based on customer flow.
• Interact with team members and guests in a high-volume dining environment.
• Train or lead Assistant Cooks, Senior Food Service Workers, or students in proper food preparation, service, and sanitation.
• Operate equipment commonly found in a large production or retail kitchen.
• Perform standard cooking methods, including braising, broiling, grilling, stir-frying, blanching, steaming, sautéing, frying, baking, proofing, and glazing.
• Cut, slice, and measure dry and liquid ingredients using units such as cups, pints, ounces, quarts, and pounds.
• Read and understand instructions, food preparation measurements, and terms.
• Apply general rules and procedures for sanitation and safety in food preparation, kitchen, and storage areas.
• Perform basic arithmetic calculations (adding, subtracting whole numbers, decimals, and fractions) as necessary for job responsibilities.
• Communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing, using tact and diplomacy.
• Work safely, comply with safety policies, use personal protective equipment, and report unsafe conditions.

Requirements

• Current work authorization in the U.S. (sponsorship is not available for this position).
• 3 years of recent experience in food preparation and general kitchen maintenance, or an equivalent combination of culinary arts coursework and experience.
• Experience in a high-volume restaurant or food service operation with fluctuating workloads.
• Experience operating kitchen equipment and applying principles of food preparation and handling, including standardized recipes, batch cooking, and proper temperature control.
• Demonstrated experience leading team-based meal production.
• Experience in a customer service-oriented environment, responding to and meeting customer needs.
• Experience in large-volume food preparation, customer service, and food safety.
• Experience working in college or university dining services (preferred).
• Ability to read, speak, and understand English sufficient for job duties and communication.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, climb, stoop, push, pull, reach, and crouch for extended periods.
• Ability to exert well-paced mobility for up to 4 hours and stand continuously for an 8-hour shift on uncarpeted surfaces.
• Ability to frequently move 20 pounds and occasionally move 50 pounds following proper safety guidelines.
• Ability to work in temperature extremes, continuous noise, and physical risks typical of food service environments.

Qualifications

• Culinary School Certificate or degree (preferred).
• Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service.
• Computer skills sufficient to use Excel, Word, Access, and web-based programs for data input and report preparation.

Pay

$26.85–$34.01 per hour.

About UC Riverside

Located in Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is a living laboratory for exploring issues critical to growing communities, including air, water, energy, transportation, politics, arts, history, and culture. The university is recognized for its diversity, social mobility, and research excellence, ranking among the top universities nationally and globally. UCR is proud to be a member of the University Innovation Alliance and offers generous employee benefits.