Cook - Caltech Dining Services

Caltech; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 27,552 - 36,162; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Caltech in Pasadena seeks an experienced cook for its Dining Services Department. This role requires 3 years of experience in high-volume cooking, proficient knife skills, and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic team environment. The position involves preparing diverse food items, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring food safety. Competitive pay ranges from $20.00 to $26.25 per hour, along with comprehensive benefits for eligible employees.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience cooking in a high-volume restaurant or food service facility.
• Proficient knife skills and ingredient knowledge.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must possess a food handler's certificate.

Responsibilities

• Perform the full array of cooking skills as required.
• Work quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Prepare and cook standard or specialty food items according to recipe.
• Clean and sanitize work areas according to protocols.
• Maintain kitchen equipment in proper working condition.

Skills

High-volume cooking experience

Teamwork

Flexibility

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Caltech is a world‑renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Looking for an exciting place to work? Caltech is a world‑renowned science and engineering institute harboring some of the world's brightest minds. Our Caltech Dining Services Department (CDS) is in search of hiring and cultivating equally talented individuals who are positive, enthusiastic, and passionate about what they do. We are fast‑paced, creative, hands‑on, and round‑the‑clock. If you have a great team work ethic, positive attitude, and are indispensably flexible and quick to adapt to an always changing environment, join us and be a part of this leading‑edge and innovative community. Our mission is to provide great food, service, and experience for our students and community.

CDS operates four dining units (Browne Dining Hall, Red Door Marketplace, Broad Café, and Avery Kitchen) for a campus community of 2,000 and serves over 850 students, 7 days a week, through our Board Program while maintaining a burgeoning Catering Department.

Under the direction of the Chef de Cuisine and Sous Chefs, this position requires minimal supervision with proficiency in all areas of culinary services. It relies on experience and quick judgment to plan and complete assigned tasks and requires previous experience cooking in a high‑volume restaurant or food service facility. The role involves preparing and cooking standard or specialty food items according to recipe, incorporating substitutions and adjustments, and understanding food portioning and yield. The cook must efficiently prepare and fabricate a variety of food ingredients according to recipe standards with speed and good palate, be versatile and able to work at any food service station, and expect location shifts according to business needs. The job entails set‑up, breakdown, maintaining a clean and organized workspace at all times, performing work in accordance with Institute and regulatory agency safety standards, and performing all job duties as assigned. A positive, can‑do attitude and teamwork ethic are a must.

Essential Job Duties

• Perform the full array of cooking skills as required for main dishes and side orders.
• Work quickly and efficiently within a fast‑paced work environment.
• Prepare and cook meats, fish, vegetables, gravies, sauces, cereal, soups, fruits, bakery products, and other foods according to recipes or member orders.
• Cook from scratch or make substitutions as requested.
• Clean and sanitize work areas and equipment according to protocol, maintaining a clean and organized storage and work area at all times; deep‑clean equipment and work areas per schedule.
• Ensure that all kitchen equipment is in proper working condition and inform the managing chefs if equipment is not in proper working order.
• Assist in maintaining timely service for meals and events.
• Have knowledge and understanding of food allergy awareness.
• Ensure correct food handling (cook/prep, storage, labeling, and rotation) according to Health Department guidelines.
• Ensure food stations are ready for service and may need to provide coverage for other stations and/or dining locations as needed.
• Maintain all CDS standards and procedures.
• Cultivate a positive and productive workplace through communication, teamwork, and ownership, attending daily line‑ups and department meetings.
• Greet and serve all guests in a professional, genuine, and friendly manner.
• Depending on shift, may be required to work some weekends, extended shifts, and overtime.
• May temporarily work a different shift due to unforeseen events or seasonal high‑volume event needs.
• Must be able to confront a challenge or adverse situation with calm, resolve, and an open, can‑do attitude and positive mindset.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• 3 years of experience cooking in a high‑volume restaurant or food service facility.
• Proficient knife skills, ingredient knowledge, and cooking skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a team with the ability to take direction with a positive attitude.
• Flexibility, ownership, and initiative are a must.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand for long periods at a time, move, bend, twist, lift, push, pull, squat, reach, and walk with ease, without injury, and with a sense of urgency and purpose.
• Selected candidate must maintain attendance and arrive on time for all shifts.
• Must possess a food handler's certificate or ability to obtain one by the time of hire.
• Must have the ability to perform basic mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentage conversion to decimals and count, as related to calculating or converting units of measure for determining proper amounts of food ingredients for large food production.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge of a variety of regional and international cuisines.
• 5+ years working in a fast‑paced, team environment.

Hiring Range

Salary range: $20.00 - $26.25 per hour. The final salary will be set based on a variety of factors, including internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

Benefits

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their dependent(s). The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non‑benefit eligible employees will still have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA federal contractor. For more information about equal employment opportunity, see eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position. If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employment selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting. If you do not meet the basic qualifications but can perform the essential functions of this job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting.