Cook

University of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 29,356 - 30,265; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Contributions

Access to Fitness Centers

Job summary

An established institution is seeking a dedicated Cook to join its dynamic Student Affairs Division. This role involves supervising food preparation, maintaining high standards of sanitation, and ensuring customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to the university's mission and the ability to work collaboratively in a vibrant, community-focused environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the personal development of students while working in a faith-based institution. If you are passionate about food service and education, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of related experience in food preparation.
• Knowledge of proper cook times and food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and participate in food preparation and quality control.
• Maintain sanitation and safety standards in the kitchen.
• Train and orient part-time employees in cooking procedures.

Skills

Food Preparation

Sanitation Standards

Customer Service

Supervisory Skills

Problem Solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Cooking Equipment

Cleaning Equipment

Job description

Cook

Position Title & Department: Cook; Student Affairs

Posting #: 5218

Department Description:
In the Catholic tradition, the Student Affairs Division strives to create an inclusive, educational environment which motivates and supports student learning and personal development, serves the University community, and inspires students to make a positive contribution to society. Our philosophy and approach is to collaboratively work with Academic Affairs and all areas of the University to create an integrated learning environment.

The Student Affairs Division is a dynamic, student centered and learning organization. We are poised to create a vibrant and active co-curricular learning experience for all students. Our emphasis on leadership development and social change allows us to work on developing future ethical leaders to serve in a complex, global and changing world. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging and continuously building toward a just, welcoming and caring community for all.

University Description:
The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background.

Detailed Description:
The Division of Student Affairs is committed to grounding our policies, programs, and procedures in antiracist practice. With this commitment, we recognize the importance of educating ourselves and holding one another accountable to ensure our work is approached through equity, inclusion, and social justice lens. We recognize our need for ongoing development in this area and continue to strive to improve. We expect all members of the Division of Student Affairs are willing to engage in this work alongside us to uphold our Catholic mission in creating a welcoming environment where the dignity of all students, staff, administrators, and faculty at USD is embraced.

The University seeks an individual with a strong interest in working in a mission-driven, faith-based institution. The role of a Cook is working with the campus community and the responsibilities of the position are significantly tethered in the university's contemporary Roman Catholic mission.

The Cook is responsible for providing skilled assistance in the supervision and preparation of all food production, maintenance of quality and/or portion control, and the maintenance of sanitation and safety standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Production:

• Supervises and participates in the quality and quantity preparation of all menu items.
• In the absence of the direct supervisor, has complete responsibility for the preparation of specified meals.
• Reviews menu with supervisor and coordinates daily production; organizes work areas to ensure ease of operation.
• Checks production sheet against inventory to assure necessary items are on hand; assists in planning for backup items as needed.
• Inspects work area for any problems or discrepancies and reports findings to supervisor.
• Assists in forecasting proper quantity preparation for each item served.
• Follows correct methods of preparation.
• Makes products to specification and reviews recipes with supervisor for variances in the finished product, including yield, appearance, taste, and texture.
• Ensures proper product portioning.
• Follows sequential production time frames as established by the supervisor for maximum quality control.
• Responsible for the timely delivery, setup, and dispensing of menu items as specified.
• Assists in completion of production/event records.
• Verifies quantity and quality of all incoming products.
• Ensures proper rotation and storage of all products.
• Operates all kitchen equipment properly.
• May assist in the determination and ordering of products and supplies.
• Assists in research, development, and testing of new recipes and menus.
• Attends weekly production meetings.

Customer Satisfaction:

• Maintains good customer relations through attitude, appearance, and attention to detail in daily work.
• Maintains consistent high-quality standards; quality-tests every finished product for taste, texture, appearance, and temperature.
• Assures that all foods are attractively garnished and appropriately displayed.
• Ensures that products are not held longer than establishing holding time frames.
• Services customer/guest needs with the appropriate sense of business urgency to provide quality service.
• Reports feedback from the customer to supervisor and/or area manager.
• Provides input on menu, and special meals in weekly production meetings.

Personnel:

• Sets leadership example by the willingness to work on all job tasks.
• Provides consistent feedback to employees regarding performance.
• Responsible for a smooth workflow, communication, and ideas through a congenial, caring, and supportive attitude.
• Ensures that employees understand and adhere to all Dining Services policies and procedures.
• Delegates assignments as appropriate and follows up to ensure work is accurate and complete.
• Orients all-new part-time employees to the location of products and equipment.
• Trains all part-time employees in proper cooking procedures, cooking times, and temperatures.
• Trains part-time employees in the proper use of all equipment.

Safety and Sanitation:

• Implements and maintains proper safety and sanitation standards in the workplace.
• Utilizes proper food handling methods and techniques.
• Assists in all scheduled cleanup operations.
• Operates equipment in an energy-efficient manner. Uses efficient startup/shutdown schedule for equipment.
• Maintains excellent personal hygiene, including care of uniforms, shoes, and head covering.
• In absence of a supervisor, responsible for the security of the unit.
• Maintains kitchen cleanliness/sanitation during operation.
• Does not participate in unsafe acts and sets a good example for other workers.
• Reports all accidents and/or injuries to supervisor immediately.
• Reports all equipment maintenance problems to the supervisor.
• Knows the location of fire extinguishers and Ansul System pull stations and how to use them.

Miscellaneous:

• Knows and follows all University and Dining Services policies and procedures.
• Cooks working in Retail areas will need to know how to use the POS system.
• Cooks may have to work as a cashier as needed and therefore know how to handle cash in all retail areas.
• Assist in monthly inventory.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to work a varied hourly work schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule during intersession and summer conference periods.
• Must have excellent personal hygiene because of contact with food and food products.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• At least 3 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory experience preferred.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of proper cook times, temperatures, and food preparation procedures and techniques.
• Understanding of basic sanitation and safety requirements.
• Strong communication skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to organize personnel, work, and materials for maximum productivity.
• Proven ability to supervise and motivate staff.
• Excellent skills in the use of specific equipment and tools as identified below, as well as their preventive maintenance and calibration requirements.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration:

• Must complete a 3-hour sanitation class as required by the San Diego Health Department.
• Must complete the University's Hazmat Communication Program.
• Must complete an 8-hour Serv Safe as required by the San Diego Health Department.

Tools and Equipment Used:

• Various cooking and kitchen equipment (knives, ovens, slicers, carts, etc.), cleaning equipment, and chemicals.

Posting Salary:
$21.31 - $21.97 per hour; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:
Resume Required, Cover Letter Preferred Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application and, for full consideration, please upload a resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review. You are also strongly recommended to upload a cover letter to your application profile for the hiring managers' review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at [e-mail].

Additional Details:
37.5 Hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.

Advertised: April 10, 2025
Applications close: Open until filled

To apply, visit https://jobs.sandiego.edu/cw/en-us/job/496992/cook