Cook's Helper

Brown University; United States; On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 2,617,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University is seeking a Cook's Helper to support the production team in daily cafeteria and catered functions. You will follow established recipes, help with food preparation, and maintain high sanitation and safety standards on a busy campus kitchen.

The role emphasizes teamwork, professional appearance, and adherence to kitchen procedures. The position is full-time and onsite, with 40 hours weekly and 11 weeks off in the summer as described in the posting.

Qualifications

• Ability to understand and follow instructions and read recipes.
• One-year experience as a Food Service Worker or related food prep experience.
• Neat and clean appearance.
• Ability to perform tasks with speed and efficiency.
• Basic mechanical ability to operate kitchen equipment safely.

Responsibilities

• Assist cooks in preparation and service of daily cafeteria and catered menus.
• Observe sanitation, safety and quality assurance standards.
• Formulate simple standardized recipes with supervision while following food safety standards.
• Disassemble, clean and sanitize kitchen equipment and maintain a neat workspace.
• Perform basic equipment maintenance and report issues to supervisor.
• Practice proper food handling to prevent illness and follow kitchen policies.
• Demonstrate teamwork and maintain a professional appearance.
• Perform other tasks as requested.

Skills

Follow instructions

Read recipes

Interpret weight & measure symbols

Food service experience

Neat appearance

Efficiency under pressure

Job description

Position Qualifications

• Ability to understand and follow instructions, take direction, read and interpret recipes, and understand symbols of weight and measure.
• One-year experience as a Food Service Worker and/or experience in and demonstrated ability to assist in all areas of basic food preparation and/or extensive experience in some areas with a working knowledge of all others.
• Neat and clean appearance.
• Ability to perform required tasks with speed and efficiency.
• Basic mechanical ability to operate assigned equipment correctly and safely.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to stand for extended periods; walk; sit, bend; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl use hands to finger, handle, slice, dice, chop, or feel objects, knives, tools or controls on kitchen equipment; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; smell, talk or hear.
• Must occasionally lift or move products and supplies, up to 50 pounds.
• Push and/or pull carts weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must consistently utilize all Personal Protective Equipment per Brown Dining Services guidelines.
• Must wear a cut resistance glove whenever using a sharp or potentially sharp tool or instrument.
• Frequently moves about campus to various locations for catered events.
• Ability to tolerate extreme heat and cold.

Task Description

As a member of the production team and with direct supervision, assists cooks in preparation and service of the daily cafeteria and/or catered function menus, using established procedures and standardized recipes.

Observes highest standards of sanitation, safety and quality assurance.

• Formulating simple standardized recipes, with supervision, while adhering to food safety standards related to preparation, holding and service.
• Observing maximum safety precautions in performance of tasks, especially those, which relate to wet floors; cutting, slicing and chopping equipment; steamers, hot ovens and gas stoves; and hot food and pans.
• Correctly disassembling, cleaning and sanitizing all kitchen equipment while maintaining an uncluttered and sanitary work area.
• Performing basic equipment maintenance such as oiling, sharpening, etc. and reporting any malfunction or repair needs to supervisor.
• Practicing proper food handling techniques as instructed to reduce/prevent any incidence of foodborne illness.
• Observing all established policies, procedures and regulations of the kitchen, the department, and the University.
• Improving skills by learning and demonstrating the tasks and responsibilities of a Cook.
• Practicing teamwork by being cooperative with peers and being sensitive and respectful of other's feelings and beliefs.
• Maintaining a neat, well-groomed professional appearance.
• Performing other tasks as requested.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check to Brown University.

This position works 40 hours per week, 41 weeks per year with 11 weeks off in the summer.

Recruiting Start Date: 2026-08-18

• Job Posting Title: Cook's Helper
• Department: Dining Services
• Grade: Dining Services
• Union Rates
• Worker Type: Employee
• Worker Sub-Type: Regular
• Time Type: Full time
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Position Work Location: Onsite

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.

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