Dining Services Cook – Panda Express

Eastern Washington University; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at a leading university as a Dining Services Cook. You will prepare meals, provide excellent customer service, and uphold high standards in a fast-paced environment. This role offers opportunities for leadership and skill development, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Retirement

Tuition Waiver

Discounted Sports Tickets

Access to Workout Facilities

Free Transportation through STA Buses

Qualifications

• One year of experience in restaurant food service work.
• Must pass Panda Express certification course.

Responsibilities

• Direct and participate in food preparation and service.
• Lead students and other food service employees.
• Maintain records including work schedules and production sheets.

Skills

Customer Service

Attention to Detail

Professionalism

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Required documentation includes all of the items listed below.

• Attach a chronological resume including work history and major duties, education, and any specialized training or skills related to the position. List at least 3 professional references including: names, titles, organization name, phone numbers, email addresses, and connection to you (these can be identical to the references listed on the application).
• Complete the online application form and respond to the online questions, if applicable.
• Mission Statement Response - EWU’s mission is to provide an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence. We are committed to serving first-generation, Pell-eligible students. How would you contribute to this mission?

Working Title

Posting Number

Posting Number 2025019CP

Position Information

Classification Title

Classification Code

Classification Code 674O

RCW Exemption Criteria

RCW Exemption Criteria No Exemption

EWU Position Number

EWU Position Number C99420

CUPA Code

CUPA Code N-817020 - Line Cook

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Bargaining Unit BU 1

% Full Time

% Full Time 100

Salary / Wage Range

Salary / Wage Range CS - 34

Salary Information

$37,896 (minimum) up to $48,960.

Anticipated Start Date

Anticipated Start Date 6/16/25

Term of Appointment

Term of Appointment 11 months

Location

County

County Spokane

Project Description

Project Duration

Background Check Yes - Both

Responsible HR User

Responsible HR User Email address

Job Summary

• About Us: Join our dynamic team at EWU where we are committed to providing exceptional dining experiences for our students, faculty, and staff. Our food service team plays a crucial role in creating a welcoming and nourishing environment on our campus.
  We are seeking a Dining Services Cook within our busy Panda Express. As a Dining Services Cook, you will:
  • Be trained in Panda Express signature recipes, cooking techniques, and service standards.
  • Take part in preparing delicious meals and providing excellent customer service in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
  • Ensure high-quality food production and efficient service while maintaining a clean, sanitized workspace.
  • Manage cash handling, assist in training new staff, and teach students key food service techniques.
  • Uphold both Panda Express and EWU Dining Services high standards for excellence.
• This position provides the chance to take on responsibility in a leadership role, often working independently but always supported by a supervisor or manager. Additionally, as part of EWU Dining Services, you’ll have the opportunity to work in different campus eateries, expanding your experience and skill set. This is a cyclic position (11 months per year) with opportunities to pick up shifts during time off. If you’re ready to bring your passion for food and service to our campus, we want to hear from you!
• The salary for this position is $37,896 (minimum) up to $48,960. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, life and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 13 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/ .
  
  

About Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the region’s polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWU’s 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington’s second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction , a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a ’24-’25 College of Distinction (CoD).

Tribal Land Acknowledgement
Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes who are connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place—the knowledge that comes from the land.

Equal Opportunity Statement

EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.

Conditions of Employment

• This position requires a valid food handler’s permit and a Washington State driver’s license.
• Evening and weekend shifts are required (there is a pay premium for evening shifts).
• Employees must be able to meet all EWU franchise restaurant personal hygiene and uniform requirements (uniforms are provided).
• During the course of university employment this position will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value; as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.
• All new employees will comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU . Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.
• After starting employment, employees will complete required training. In person and Zoom training opportunities will be posted on InsideEWU and are listed on the Human Resources webpage at https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training/ .
• The successful applicant must be able to stand and/or walk for up to four hours without a break, and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• If you would like to obtain a copy of the Essential Functions Analysis form which describes the physical and mental demands for the position, please contact Kenlyn Mackey at [e-mail].

Pre-Placement Physical

Pre-Placement Physical No

Hearing Test

Hearing Test No

Medical Monitoring Post Hire

Medical Monitoring Post Hire No

Protective Equipment

Aprons
Gloves
Non-slip shoes
University, local, regional and state mandates for public and personal protection should be followed as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Washington Driver’s License
• Valid Washington Food Handler’s Permit
• High School Diploma or GED
• Must pass Panda Express certification course
• One year of experience in restaurant food service work
• Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that is supportive to the needs of, including universal access, of our students, faculty, staff and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the preferred experience below:

• Culinary arts degree or related degree in the food service field preferred.
• Two years institutional or high volume food service experience preferred.
• One year kitchen supervisory experience preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of safe work practices
• Demonstrated attention to detail, professionalism, dependability and timeliness
• Excellent customer service skills, professional and courteous demeanor

Work Schedule Type

Work Schedule Type Alternate

Work Schedule

• Five days per week. 40 hours per week with two consecutive days off. Shifts may include weekends and evenings (there is a pay premium for evening shift).

Posting Date

Posting Date 05/05/2025

Open Until Further Notice

Open Until Further Notice No

Closing Date

Closing Date 05/19/2025

Screening to Begin

Screening to Begin 5/20/25

Special Instructions to Applicants

Required documentation includes all of the items listed below.

• Attach a chronological resume including work history and major duties, education, and any specialized training or skills related to the position. List at least 3 professional references including: names, titles, organization name, phone numbers, email addresses, and connection to you (these can be identical to the references listed on the application).
• Complete the online application form and respond to the online questions, if applicable.
• Mission Statement Response - EWU’s mission is to provide an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence. We are committed to serving first-generation, Pell-eligible students. How would you contribute to this mission?

Application Types Accepted

Application Types Accepted Application

Job Duties

% of Time

% of Time 40

Responsibility / Duty

Direct and participate in food preparation, service of food, dishwashing and sanitation, and cleaning functions.

Essential Function Indicator Yes

% of Time

% of Time 20

Responsibility / Duty

Lead students and other food service employees in the operation of a food service location.

Essential Function Indicator Yes

% of Time

% of Time 15

Responsibility / Duty

Direct and participate in cleaning food service equipment and work areas; maintain compliance with sanitation and safety regulations

% of Time

% of Time 10

Responsibility / Duty

Maintain records including work schedules, requisitions, prep lists, and production sheets.

Essential Function Indicator Yes

% of Time

% of Time 10

Responsibility / Duty

Receive cash payments and charge slips from customers; account for receipts and deposits.

Essential Function Indicator Yes

% of Time

% of Time 5

Responsibility / Duty

Other related duties.

Essential Function Indicator Yes

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a valid Driver's License?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a current Food Handler's Permit?
  • Yes, I have a current Food Handler's Permit.
  • No, I do not have a current Food Handler's Permit, but I can get one as required.
  • No, I do not have a current Food Handler's Permit, nor can I get one.
• * Do you offer a high school diploma or GED?
  • Yes
  • No