Cook - East Campus - 141562

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 46,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal vouchers

Vacation/holidays

Work/Life Balance

Work shoes provided

Job summary

UC San Diego Health in San Diego seeks a Cook for East Campus to prepare hot and cold items, adhere to recipes, and ensure quality, appearance and portion control for cafeteria and events.

The role requires at least 1 year of cooking experience, strong sanitation practices, and superb customer service. Flexible hours with duties across shifts support a busy hospital kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• One year experience as a cook in a large restaurant, hotel, or healthcare facility.
• Coordinate food orders to support timely delivery to patients and events.
• Knowledge of food and food products.
• Prepare dishes with proper garnishes and plating.
• Maintain clean, sanitary kitchen stations at all times.
• Adhere to health department codes and sanitation policies.
• Provide superb customer service.

Responsibilities

• Prepare menu items in advance and to order for cafeteria, tray-line and special functions.
• Cook with attention to appearance, temperature, portion control and quality.
• Meat fabrication, fish cutting, sauce making and proper plate presentation.
• Close kitchen properly and assist in closing duties; attend staff meetings.

Skills

Food preparation

Quality control

Sanitation

Customer service

Team coordination

Education

Food Handler’s Card/Certification

Job description

Payroll Title: MED CTR COOK

Department: East Campus Dietary

Hiring Pay Scale: $26.87 - $33.39 / Hour

Worksite: East Campus Medical Center (Alvarado Road)

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 50%

Union: SX Contract

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Variable, 8-Hour Shifts , Sunday-Saturday

#141562 Cook - East Campus

Filing Deadline: Thu 10/8/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 09/28/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

Please note that this position is a part-time appointment with hours flexing up to full time.

DESCRIPTION

Under supervision, perform a variety of duties related to hot and cold production and service to customers, according to established procedures and quality standards. Prepare menu items in advance of serving and to order for cafeteria, tray-line and special functions, according to department standardized recipes. Prepare food items to the highest standards with respect to appearance, taste, temperature, and portion control.

The Cook will also perform meat fabrication, fish cutting, sauce making. Assumes 100% responsibility for quality of products served. Knows and complies consistently with our standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards and kitchen rules, policies and procedures. Maintains a clean and sanitary work station area including tables, shelves, grills, broilers, fryers, pasta cookers, sauté burners, convection oven, flat top range and refrigeration equipment.

Prepares item for grilling, sautéing or other cooking methods. Follows proper plate presentation and garnish set up for all dishes. Closes the kitchen properly and follows the closing checklist for kitchen stations. Assists others in closing the kitchen. Attends all scheduled employee meetings and brings suggestions for improvement. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Executive Chef, Sous Chef or manager-on-duty.

Our employees enjoy competitive total compensation packages in a diverse, stimulating workforce.

This position is eligible for full benefits (Heath/Vision/Dental) first day of hire:

• Meal vouchers and complimentary coffee/tea/drinks.
• Vacation/holidays (15 vacation days & 14 paid holidays a year).
• Work/Life Balance.
• Work shoes provided by department.

For more information about UCSD Benefits please visit

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year experience as a cook in a large restaurant, hotel, or complex healthcare facility.
• Ability to prepare and coordinate food orders to support timely and efficient delivery to patients and special functions, according to department standardized recipes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food and food products.
• Ability to perform other duties in the areas of food and final plate preparation including plating and garnishing of cooked items and preparing appropriate garnishes for all hot menu item plates.
• Proven skill in all areas of quality food production to include tray-line, cafeteria, grill and/or catering.
• Ability to maintain kitchen area in a clean and organized fashion at all times, with floor dry and equipment property cleaned and sanitized.
• Knowledge of health department codes and ability to adhere to policies regarding sanitation at all times.
• Must possess superb customer service skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Food Handler’s Card/Certification.
• Ability to efficiently scratch cook with meats, fish, vegetables, soups and sauces.
• Experience in all stations, proficient knife skills, ability to take directions and work as part of a team.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Must be able to bend, squat, stand, and walk for long periods of time.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $56,105 - $69,718 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $26.87 - $33.39

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace