Dining Administrative Specialist (On-Site)

University of California - Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 39,950 - 57,859; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Merced seeks an experienced administrator to support the Dining, Hospitality, and Retail portfolio within Auxiliary Enterprises. You will coordinate HR, staffing, scheduling, and routine budget transactions, applying judgment in workforce planning, policy interpretation, and operational decision-making in a high-volume environment.

This role partners with Auxiliary Enterprises leadership, Human Resources, and Finance to ensure compliance, resource management, and

Qualifications

• High school level education required or equivalent; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience in HR/payroll processes and policy interpretation is essential.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee staffing workflows and SOPs with HR partners.
• Coordinate scheduling, events, and operational priorities across the portfolio.
• Provide HR/payroll process training and support to department leadership.
• Ensure compliance and accurate rosters, job descriptions, and org charts.
• Support procurement, travel, and financial activities in line with policies.

Skills

HR processes

Policy interpretation

Analytical problem-solving

Communication

Multitasking

Confidentiality

Microsoft Office

Zoom

UCPath (HR/payroll)

Education

High School Diploma, GED, or HSED

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field (Preferred)

Tools

UCPath

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Job description

Job ID: 87386

Location: Merced

Full/Part Time: Full Time

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is Step 1: $29.03- Step 18: $42.34. The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is Step 1: $29.03.

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: Fully On-Site

This position is represented by the bargaining unit Clerical & Allied Services - CX Teamsters Local 2010.

CANRA (U13): Mandated Child Abuse Reporter.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around August 3, 2026. Posting will remain open until filled.

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About the Job

Provides administrative and operational support for the Dining, Hospitality, and Retail portfolio within Auxiliary Enterprises, a complex, multi-unit operation. Assisting with coordinating administrative, human resources, scheduling, and routine budget transactions. Exercises independent judgment in workforce planning, policy interpretation, and operational decision-making within a high-volume environment characterized by diverse employee groups, extended operating hours, and large-scale events. Serves as a key partner to Auxiliary Enterprises leadership, Human Resources, and Finance to ensure compliance, operational continuity, effective resource management, and achievement of organizational objectives.

RESPONSIBILITES

Staffing Procedures and Policies Development & Oversight

• In coordination with department leadership and HR partners, identify necessary staffing workflows; adapt and oversee standard operating procedures, including implementation and required training, adjusting as needed.
• Ensure seamless access to, communication about, and training for new processes and SOPs.
• Meet regularly with departmental leadership and HR partners to assess and understand departmental needs.
• Engage with colleagues involved in similar process development and participate in work groups as needed.
• Scheduling and Management of Events, Projects, and Operations
• Calendar all major operational events within the portfolio, building clear communication throughout.
• Identify academic year calendars and Residential Dining commitments, and liaise with Dining Leadership to schedule operating hours, openings, and closures to ensure service needs are met while maximizing labor efficiency.
• Plan for high-volume staffing needs to ensure staff are in place and well trained ahead of major operational events (e.g., Fall opening, VIP banquets, opening new operations or facilities).
• Coordinate construction projects and assess related impacts on schedules and staffing.
• Manage planned shift bidding processes for represented staff within the portfolio and provide guidance to other AFI departments as needed.

HR and Payroll Process Oversight

• Provide training and support to departmental leadership and staff regarding HR policies and processes, including new hire training, seasonal/refresher training, and additional support to issues or improvement needs arise.
• Stay informed of updates to HR and payroll processes and communicate and train departmental leadership to align with changes.
• Track department absences and communication across the portfolio to ensure timely responses and accurate data to support informed operational decisions.
• Manage internal communications related to payroll and HR processes, acting as a liaison to ensure efficiency and business continuity.
• Oversee the accuracy of rosters, job descriptions, and organizational charts, and act as a backup for AFI departments as needed.

Budget & Finance

• Oversee the process for managing, tracking, and requesting routine operational purchase orders in coordination with departmental leadership and in alignment with AFI Finance expectations.
• Manage routine reporting and reconciliation for unit revenues in compliance with policies and procedures, including dining deposits and special event deposits (e.g., Commencement Concessions).
• Oversee required training and system access for staff and leadership who interface with procurement processes.
• Manage requests and ongoing reporting for procurement and travel cards and expenses, including access facilitation, purchasing level monitoring, and compliance audits as needed.
• Support departmental purchasers and operators in accessing tools and information for daily, special, or as-needed procurement requests, in coordination with the AFI Finance team.

Administrative Operations

• Create and support a process for requesting administrative support, ensuring requests are reviewed and addressed in a timely manner.
• Train departmental staff on key administrative functions to serve as backups and support knowledge development.
• Support the Auxiliaries Enterprise Administrative Team by acting as backup for daily and as needed administrative functions within the portfolio, including coverage during planned vacations, leaves, or periods of unusually high workload.
• As needed, oversee a student support worker as the portfolio grows.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma, General Equivalency Degree (GED), or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree In business administration, hospitality management, or a related field. (Preferred)

AND

• 5 years of administrative/clerical work experience which have led to the development of the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position is required.

Or

• Bachelor's degree in a related area and one (1) years of administrative/clerical work experience which have led to the development of the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position is required. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWNLEGE and SKILLS

• Knowledge of administrative operations, HR/payroll processes, and financial practices in a complex organization.
• Knowledge of policy interpretation and higher education or auxiliary operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to improve processes and address complex operational issues.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, support, and guide stakeholders across multiple units.
• Ability to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns.
• Ability to use and/or effectively learn various systems and software applications (e.g., Microsoft, Zoom, etc.).
• Solid communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff verbally and in writing.
• Solid organizational skills and ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with HR, payroll, and financial systems (e.g., UCPath or similar tools). (Preferred)
• Ability to interpret and apply policies while ensuring compliance. (Preferred)

Background Check

Background check required.

Policy Statement

Equal Employment Opportunity:
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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/.