Education Assistant Senior

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky in Lexington is seeking a Teaching Kitchen Outreach Associate to join the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition Teaching Kitchen. This role supports educational and outreach programming by managing Teaching Kitchen activities, coordinating events, and working directly with students and community participants.

You will create safe, organized, and engaging culinary experiences while supporting program operations and participant learning.

Qualifications

• Culinary skills and knowledge of safe food handling and sanitation practices.
• Strong project management, time management, and task prioritization skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication abilities for working with students, collaborators, stakeholders, and guests.
• ServSafe certification or related knowledge.
• Commitment to excellent customer service, teamwork, professional learning, and continuous improvement.
• 1 year of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage Teaching Kitchen events, coordinating resources and communicating with collaborators to ensure successful execution.
• Maintain Teaching Kitchen space, equipment, and small wares with a focus on safety and cleanliness.
• Educate participants on safe kitchen practices and provide excellent customer service to all participants.
• Support students in educational programming, including Campus Kitchen and other programs.
• Assist with front-of-house operations and cooking demonstrations for Lemon Tree program.
• Schedule, orient, train, and supervise Teaching Kitchen participants and assist with event planning.
• Follow university policies and help identify potential event funding streams when needed.

Skills

Culinary skills

Project management

Time management

Interpersonal communication

ServSafe certification

Customer service

Team collaboration

Job description

Click here for more information about equivalencies:

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 50 lbs., working teaching kitchen environment with exposure to smells and heat.

Shift

Job Summary

Bring Culinary Education to Life Through Hands-On Learning and Outreach

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Teaching Kitchen Outreach Associate to join the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition Teaching Kitchen.

This position supports educational and outreach programming by managing Teaching Kitchen activities, coordinating events, and working directly with students and community participants. The Teaching Kitchen Outreach Associate helps create safe, organized, and engaging culinary experiences while supporting program operations and participant learning.

What You’ll Do

• Manage Teaching Kitchen events, coordinating available resources and communicating with collaborators, stakeholders, and guests to support successful execution.
• Maintain the Teaching Kitchen space, equipment, fixtures, and small wares while promoting kitchen safety, sanitation, and cleanliness.
• Educate participants on safe kitchen practices and provide excellent customer service to internal and external constituents.
• Support students participating in educational programming, including meal preparation for Campus Kitchen, Lemon Tree, and other assigned programs.
• Assist with Lemon Tree front-of-house operations and participate in cooking demonstrations.
• Schedule, orient, train, and supervise Teaching Kitchen participants and assist with event scheduling.
• Follow University, Martin-Gatton College, and department policies and procedures while supporting Teaching Kitchen staff and assisting with identifying event funding streams when needed.

What You’ll Bring

• Culinary skills and knowledge of safe food handling and sanitation practices.
• Project management, time management, and task prioritization skills.
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills for working effectively with students, collaborators, stakeholders, and guests.
• ServSafe certification or related knowledge.
• A commitment to excellent customer service, teamwork, professional learning, and continuous improvement.
• 1 year of related experience

What’s In It for You

• The opportunity to contribute directly to hands-on culinary and nutrition education for students and community participants.
• Professional development through training, classes, and seminars.

Why Now?

The Teaching Kitchen serves as a hands-on environment where culinary education, nutrition programming, and student engagement come together. Consistent coordination, kitchen readiness, and participant support are essential to delivering programs safely and effectively. This role helps ensure educational and outreach activities run smoothly while giving students and community participants a welcoming, well-organized setting in which to learn, cook, and collaborate.

Internal Employee Being Considered

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

1+ years of culinary experience.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

1+ years of culinary experience.

Strong organizational and communication skills.

Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, and external partners.

Knowledge of kitchen safety and sanitation standards.

Customer service orientation and a passion for education and outreach.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 10/28/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Rate your level of expertise in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Windows, Excel, and PowerPoint).
  • None
  • Basic
  • Average
  • Proficient
  • Expert
• * Please list your specific food service skills (i.e. cooking, grilling, serving, etc.).

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Describe your work experience planning and coordinating projects and outreach initiatives.

  (Open Ended Question)