Assistant Chef

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR); Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Leave plans

Tuition assistance

Employee assistance programs

PSLF eligible employer

Job summary

UCAR in Boulder, CO, is seeking an Assistant Chef for the Mesa Lab Cafe. This role supports the Chef, manages kitchen operations in the Chef's absence, oversees food preparation, and ensures timely service during lunch and special events.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 3 years in food service, strong culinary skills, safety and sanitation knowledge, cash handling, and the ability to lead the kitchen team when the supervisor is busy.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent; at least 3 years' experience in food service.
• Familiarity with daily kitchen operations and ability to perform any kitchen task.
• Excellent culinary skills and knowledge of cafeteria cooking styles.
• Ability to follow Chef/Supervisor orders and lead the team in the absence of the supervisor.
• Skilled in hot and cold food preparation and lunch grill cooking.
• Ability to balance cash receipts and work with cash.
• Experience with a computerized POS system and spreadsheet software.
• Willingness to work evenings or weekends for special functions.

Responsibilities

• Prepare all food items for soup or lunch selections and assist in other items.
• Assist in salad preparation or front-line production; ensure variety and quality.
• Handle perishables safely and maintain sanitation standards.
• Cover supervisor in absence and lead cafe operations during busy times.
• Casher during grill cooking and manage high-volume lunch service.
• Maintain daily cash deposits and monthly spreadsheet reconciliation.
• Prepare items for special functions and set up refreshment breaks.
• Receive deliveries, interact with vendors, manage inventory, and store items safely.

Skills

Culinary skills

Team leadership

Cash handling

Food safety knowledge

POS system

Math for servings

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Cash register / POS system

Spreadsheet software

Slicer/steamers/ovens

Job description

Position Type: Term - 6 months or more (Fixed Term)

Visa Sponsored Job: No

Relocation Assistance Eligible: No

Hiring Range: 47,610.00 USD - 49,590.00 USD

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 12:00am MST on: 2026-10-25

About the Role

UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the Assistant Chef at the Mesa Lab Cafe.

This position manages kitchen operations in the Chef's absence and assists the Chef. Oversees the preparation of food and inventory levels of the kitchen. Prepares food and may be a cashier. May serve as lead for special events.

Job Description

Here is a brief outline of what one would expect to be responsible for in this

Food Preparation

• Prepares all food items for soup or lunch selections and assists Cook in preparation of other items.
• May assist in salad preparation or front-line production. Ensures variety, wholesomeness and quality.
• Utilizes and handles all food including perishables and potentially hazardous foods in a safe and timely manner.
• May be called upon to cover for the supervisor in his/her absence and assume all responsibilities of the supervisor or may lead on the cafe daily operations if the supervisor is busy with the special event.
• May cashier in conjunction with grill cooking or handle high volume service for lunch line.
• Maintains accurate daily cash register deposits and records and prepares monthly spreadsheet reconciliation.

Leads Special Functions

• Prepares a variety of food items for Special Functions which may include appetizers, entrees, and desserts. May set up and serve functions.
• Sets up and delivers refreshment breaks.
• May receive deliveries; interact with vendors; maintain and sanitizes equipment; oversee inventory of area; prepare and store items in the highest safety and sanitation standards of industry; ensure maximum usage of quality of food and supplies.

Who We'd Love to Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education & Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent; and a t least 3 years' experience in food service industry or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Required):

• Familiarity with all of the daily operations of the kitchen and ability to perform any task in the kitchen, if needed.
• Excellent culinary skills in order to prepare and cook food and know all styles of cooking done in the cafeteria.
• Ability to implement and follow-up on Chef/Supervisor orders.
• Ability to work with the kitchen team and lead them effectively in the Chef/Supervisor's absence.
• Skill in hot and cold food preparation, including appetizers, salad bar, entrees to desserts, as well as lunch grill cooking.
• Skill in using math to determine serving sizes, estimating quantities of food prepared to serve to number of customers, and to balance cash receipts.
• Familiarity with standard practices in food safety, sanitation and service.
• Ability to make change, count cash drawers, and work with cash.
• Ability to deal with high volume, customer-oriented, and pressure-packed, deadline type environment.
• Ability to work a computerized point of sale system.
• Ability to work with spreadsheet software.
• Skill in hand processing and using equipment such as slicers, steamers, and different types of ovens, grills, and food processing equipment.
• Skill in all standard practices in food safety, sanitation and service.
• Willingness and ability to work evening or weekend hours for special functions.

Required application materials:

• Resume (preferably in PDF Format):
• Questionnaire (embedded in application)

Preferred Qualifications

None

Application Requirements

Questionnaire, Resume/CV

For full consideration, all application materials must be submitted by 12am (MST) at the start of the application deadline. These should highlight how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities of this position. We recognize that no candidate will meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If you believe your background has prepared you for success in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Supplemental questionnaires are often requested in lieu of a cover letter, where you address critical skills needed for the position. Your answers will be read and weighed equally to your resume and should provide specific, detailed, and informative responses based on your direct and previous work experiences.

Background checks and/or federal screenings are conducted for candidates selected for hire.

Benefits Overview

UCAR offers a comprehensive benefits package: health insurance, dental, retirement plan, leave plans, tuition assistance, and employee assistance programs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous retirement plan - UCAR contributes of 10% of base salary
• Time Off Plans
  • Minimum 20 days of annual PTO
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave
  • FAMLI Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants are not required to provide age-related information (like date of birth or graduation dates) in initial submissions.

For sponsored positions: UCAR can sponsor individuals for H-1B status only if they are already in the U.S. in H-1B status or another visa status that allows them to change to H-1B status within the U.S. UCAR is unable to sponsor new H-1B visas for individuals who are outside the U.S. and need to obtain H-1B status through Consular Processing.

While UCAR does not prohibit the use of AI tools in job applications, we strongly recommend that applicants submit primarily original work.

All roles require compliance with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. All hybrid staff are expected to work on-site approximately 3 days per week.