Dishwasher

Haggo's Organic Tacos- San Clemente; San Clemente (CA); On-site; USD 11,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Haggo’s Organic Taco in San Clemente is seeking a dependable Dishwasher to maintain clean, sanitized dishware and kitchenware for service. You will operate the dish machine and 3-compartment sinks, ensuring items are dried and stored properly for both FOH and BOH teams.

Role emphasizes strict sanitation, chemical safety, waste management, and breaking down the shift with clean stations. Entry-level candidates with a strong work ethic are welcome if dedicated to food safety.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant or dishwasher experience preferred.
• Food Handler Card required prior to starting.
• Ability to follow basic verbal and written instructions in English; communicate with kitchen and floor staff.

Responsibilities

• Wash, sanitize, and properly store all dishware, utensils, and prep containers.
• Operate dish machine and 3-compartment sinks; ensure items are thoroughly cleaned and organized.
• Maintain clean, safe dish pit and surrounding areas; assist with waste management and general kitchen cleanliness.
• Support BOH and FOH teams during peak periods and assist with stocking non-perishable supplies.

Skills

Restaurant experience

Food handler card

English communication

Organization

Sanitation standards

Job description

Summary

• The Dishwasher is essential to maintaining the operational rhythm, cleanliness, and safety standards of Haggo’s Organic Taco. Responsible for washing, sanitizing, and properly storing all kitchenware, dishware, cooking utensils, and food prep containers, the Dishwasher ensures that both Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH) teams have clean, safe equipment ready for service.
• Dishwashers maintain the backbone of store sanitation and kitchen flow. Operating the commercial dish machine and 3-compartment sink setup, they ensure all items are thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, dried, and organized according to health code standards. Additionally, Dishwashers assist with general kitchen cleanliness, waste management, busser support, and maintaining sanitary workstations throughout the restaurant.

Qualifications & Certifications

• Experience: Previous restaurant or dishwasher experience preferred, but entry-level candidates with a strong work ethic are welcome.
• Food Handler Card: Valid San Diego County Food Handler Card (for SD County locations) or California Food Handler Card (for Orange County locations) prior to starting.
• Language & Communication: Ability to follow basic verbal and written instructions in English; clear communication with kitchen and floor staff.
• Skills: Strong organizational skills, physical stamina, ability to multitask safely in a fast-paced environment, and high attention to sanitation standards.

Dish Pit Execution & Quality Standards

• Washing & Sanitizing: Load, run, and unload the dishwashing machine; operate 3-compartment sinks for manual washing, rinsing, and sanitizing of pots, pans, and large prep equipment.
• Drying & Organization: Allow dishes to air-dry properly before storing them in designated FOH and BOH areas; maintain clean, organized rack space.
• Chemical Safety: Test and record daily sanitizer levels in dish machines and sink stations using test strips; report chemical level or machine maintenance issues to leadership immediately.

Kitchen Cleanliness & Waste Management

• Station Cleanliness: Keep the dish pit area clean, swept, mopped, and free of excess standing water or debris throughout the shift.
• Trash & Recycling: Regularly empty trash cans, recycling bins, and compost containers in FOH and BOH; take waste to outside dumpsters and replace liners.
• Floor & Equipment Maintenance: Sweep and mop kitchen floors, clean drain mats, and scrub floor drains during shift breakdown.

Kitchen & Service Support

• BOH Support: Assist prep cooks and line cooks by retrieving soiled pots/pans and returning clean cookware to stations promptly.
• FOH Support: Assist bussers during peak volume by clearing dirty dish tubs from guest areas or service stations.
• Delivery Assistance: Help stock incoming non-perishable supply boxes, paper goods, and chemical inventories as needed.

Kitchen & Workplace Safety

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear proper non-slip footwear, aprons, safety gloves, and eyewear when handling hot water and cleaning chemicals.
• Health Code Adherence: Maintain high standards of personal hygiene, clean apron compliance, and hair restraint usage on shift.
• Break Compliance: Adhere to California break laws by taking mandatory meal and rest periods as scheduled by store leadership.

Compensation Range

• This is a tip pool eligible position. $16.90 HR + Tip Pool. Range $8-$10 HR. This estimation is based on company averages, tips are never guaranteed.

Constantly: 66% – 100% of shift

• Scrape, wash, sanitize, air-dry, and organize dishware, utensils, glassware, pots, and prep equipment.
• Maintain clean, safe, and sanitized dish pit stations and surrounding floor areas.
• Enforce personal hygiene, non-slip footwear, apron usage, hair restraint, and chemical safety protocols.
• Stand, walk, and work in wet, warm kitchen environments.

Frequently: 34% – 65% of shift

• Return clean dishware, cookware, and service items to designated FOH/BOH storage areas.
• Empty trash, recycling, and compost containers into exterior dumpsters.
• Test sanitizer concentrations and record health department compliance logs.
• Assist kitchen team members by restocking station lines with clean tools and containers.

Occasionally 1% – 33% of shift

• Assist with receiving, organizing, and stocking non-perishable delivery boxes.
• Execute deep cleaning projects (scrubbing walls, trash cans, mats, floor drains, and storage shelves).
• Attend BOH team meetings, safety trainings, or all-staff quarterly meetings.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Standing / Walking: Constantly standing and walking on tile, concrete, or non-slip rubber mats throughout the shift.
• Lifting / Carrying: Frequently lifting heavy dish racks, bus tubs full of dishware, trash bags, stock pots, and chemical containers. Average weight: 25 lbs; Maximum weight: 50 lbs.
• Bending / Reaching: Frequently stooping, crouching, reaching overhead, and bending to load/unload machines, lift bus tubs, or clean low areas.
• Environmental Exposure: Continuous exposure to hot water, steam, wet floor conditions, cleaning/sanitizing chemicals, grease, and high noise levels.
• Haggo’s Organic Taco LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment.