Dining Cook

University of California, Santa Cruz; California (MO); On-site; USD 44,642 - 60,398; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

UC Retirement Plans

Group Life Insurance

Legal Insurance

Pet Insurance

Paid Holidays & Vacation

Meal Allowance

Job summary

University of California, Santa Cruz is seeking a Cook to prepare meals for residence halls and events, organize production staff, and ensure health and safety guidelines are followed. The role involves leading kitchen activities, following policies, and delivering high-quality service to customers.

The incumbent will handle diverse cooking responsibilities, support quality assurance, and collaborate with management to optimize meal production and presentation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in a variety of cooking techniques for large dining services.
• Knowledge of sauces, soups, vegetables, baked products, and entrees.
• Experience in complex levels of cooking in large food service environments or equivalent education and experience.
• Communication skills to direct staff, provide training, and interact with customers.

Responsibilities

• 60% – Food Production: prepares menu items per recipes and production sheets, applies HACCP principles.
• 15% – Quality Assurance: performs taste tests, ensures correct temperature and quality.
• 15% – Safety and Sanitation: maintains cleanliness of storage, equipment, and work areas.
• 10% – Other Related Responsibilities: may train and direct other staff.

Skills

Cooking techniques

Large-scale cooking

Food safety

Communication

Team collaboration

Job description

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of managers, and/or the direction of higher level cooks, the incumbent prepares food appropriate to the level of skills of a Cook. The role involves preparing assigned recipes for residence hall meals and other events, providing the highest quality of service to the customers. The Cook may assume a leadership role in the kitchen by organizing and directing production staff for meal service, following policies, rules and regulations of the University, and ensuring health and safety guidelines are practiced.

Compensation

Budgeted Salary: $25.25 hourly. Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
• UC Retirement Plans
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave
• Meal Allowance

Schedule

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: To be determined and details discussed at interview
• Shift Includes: Day, Evening, Night, Weekends – determined at interview

Location

UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation

Service Employees (SX)

Job Duties

• 60% – Food Production
  • Prepares menu items following recipes and production sheets for all meals, applying HACCP principles.
  • Merchandises food, including garnishing for presentation, and participates in customer service programs.
  • Prepares food from scratch for all relevant dishes and works independently following cycle menus.
  • Provides recommendations to Senior Cook or managers on problem recipes and potential updates.
• 15% – Quality Assurance
  • Performs taste tests and ensures food meets correct temperature and quality standards.
  • Batch cooks food items as appropriate and checks service lines for quality control.
  • Stores leftover food properly, makes recommendations for planned usage, and prepares dated food samples.
• 15% – Safety and Sanitation
  • Ensures cleanliness and sanitation of storage and work areas, kitchen equipment, and utensils.
  • Cleans equipment, work tables, sinks, drains, and bathrooms.
  • Assists with cleanliness of tables, chairs, and self‑service areas and cleans floors as directed.
  • Provides instruction and direction to kitchen staff as needed and identifies equipment problems for management.
• 10% – Other Related Responsibilities
  • May instruct and direct the work of other staff to specified meal requirements and provide training.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in a variety of cooking techniques and recipes for large dining services.
• Knowledge of how to prepare sauces, soups, vegetables, baked products, and entrees.
• Experience in complex levels of cooking in large food service environments or equivalent education and experience.
• Communication skills to direct staff, provide training, and interact with customers.
• Knowledge of safe food handling, temperature requirements, and equipment operation.
• Knowledge of merchandising, presentation, and safety techniques.
• Ability to taste, discern quality, read recipes, estimate ingredient requirements, plan production, and requisition supplies.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, work independently, and collaborate in a team environment.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish/English or willingness to learn.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a pre‑employment criminal history background check.
• Must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must pass the UCSC Dining Food Handler Card test within 90 days of employment or possess a California Food Handler Card or ServSafe certification upon hire.
• Must be able to move up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
• Must work a variable schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Must complete training within established time frames, including UC compliance training.
• Must comply with the University of California vaccine program as required.
• Must testify as a mandated reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer will be required to disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years, allegations or proceedings involving misconduct, or any leave from a position following such allegations. The definition of misconduct includes violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

EEO/AA

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. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti‑discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.