Cook's Helper (8 Positions, Part-Time, 18 hrs., Academic Year)

8 part-time positions, 18 hours per week, academic year (September 6, 2026 – May 15, 2027). Schedule is flexible; hours and days off will vary during August, J-term, and spring break.

About the role

To work as a helper to a cook or baker by performing simple tasks in the preparation of foods and beverages (hot or cold) in a kitchen of a state institution; or to perform food services duties in a dining room or cafeteria served by this kitchen; to work in the food preparation areas or to operate the pan and rack washing machine in the central food processing plant; or to perform duties necessary to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen and related areas.

Responsibilities

• Under close supervision of a cook:
  • Wash, peel, chop, dice, or grind vegetables, fruits, and other foods for cooking or salads.
  • Prepare simple foods such as toast, coffee, tea, chocolate, cereal, eggs, sandwiches; stir soup; boil potatoes or other vegetables.
  • Assemble diet trays and arrange food for service to patients.
  • Load food onto food trucks or place food in steam tables.
  • Set up dining tables for service; serve food from steam tables in a cafeteria.
  • Collect trays, soiled dishes, cutlery, and glassware after meals; dispose of scrap or leftover foods.
  • Wash dishes manually or in an automatic dishwashing machine; clean cutlery and glassware and store them for reuse.
  • Clean and wash food trucks, dishwashing machines, iceboxes, walk-in refrigerators, and other kitchen equipment and utensils.
  • Clean and wash down the kitchen, cafeteria, and related dining areas.
• Under close supervision of a baker:
  • Assemble materials; weigh, measure, and mix ingredients by hand or in an electric mixer.
  • Roll dough, fill pans with dough or batter, and place goods in and remove them from ovens.
  • Carry materials, deposit ingredients in containers, grease pans, line pans with paper.
  • Move racks or rack trucks of dough, batter, or baked goods to and from ovens.
  • Clean bakery areas and related equipment and utensils.
• In the central food processing plant:
  • Assist cooks, bakers, and meat cutters with assembling, portioning, packaging, and transporting materials.
  • Operate pan and rack washing machines; wash pots and pans.
  • Clean work areas and refrigerators.

Requirements

• Familiarity with methods and procedures in cooking, baking, food service, and kitchen or bakery cleaning.
• Ability to understand and follow simple verbal or written directions.
• Ability to handle, wash, dry, and store cooking or baking equipment and glassware with care.

Qualifications

Education: Sufficient to follow simple verbal directions.

Experience: Such as may have been gained through employment as a helper in a kitchen or bakery in a hospital, hotel, or restaurant, performing routine work in food preparation, food service, and related tasks.

OR any combination of education and experience that is substantially equivalent.

Pay

$21.01 – $22.41 per hour.