Food Service - Associate

SSA Group; Royal Oak (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

On-Demand Pay Program

Meal Plan & Employee Discounts

401(k) with company match

Tuition Discount

Bereavement leave

Holiday pay

Paid sick leave

Job summary

SSA Group is seeking a Food Service Associate at Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak, MI. The role supports restaurant operations, assists with daily prep, and ensures safety, quality, and guest service standards are met seven days a week.

The ideal candidate has strong interpersonal skills, can stay organized in a fast-paced environment, and is flexible for nights, weekends, and holidays. SSA Group offers benefits under the SSA 452 Hospitality program.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to remain organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates flexibility with varied hours, nights, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Supports restaurant prep for daily operation.
• Meets daily service, safety and quality standards.
• Participates in safety logs and proper sanitation.
• Maintains clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Remains knowledgeable of menu items, prices and specials.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Team player

Flexibility

Tools

POS system

Cash handling

Job description

Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Adults 18+

Weekdays and Weekend availability (zoo open 7 days/week)

Upcoming Fall & Winter Events with evening hour opportunity

Zoo Boo (Fri-Sun nights in October)

Wild Lights (Various nights from mid-November thru January 3, 2027)

Food Service Associate

Who are we:

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.

We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.

Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

Position Title: Food Service Associate

Reports to: Food Service Supervisor (if applicable) and/or Food Service Operations Manager(s)

R esponsibilities

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.

Supports restaurant prep (FOH and line) for daily operation.

Meets daily quick service, food service, safety and quality, availability, merchandising and guest service standards.

Participates in safety logs including food temperatures, rotation and waste as necessary.

Ensures proper uniform, hygiene, hand-washing and glove use with self.

Maintains a SSAfe work environment by abiding to all SSAFETY rules.

Follows through daily prep and items lists, as assigned.

Actively helps to support operation in assigned role, supporting holes as necessary.

Actively and efficiently responds to guest and client feedback, with report to the supervisor to ensure that any potential complaints are mitigate against further occurrence.

Communicates up to the Restaurant Supervisor and/or Food Operations Manager in regard to any issues seen with daily service or quality.

Remains knowledgeable of all menu items, prices and specials for sharing with guests.

Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

Maintains a clean, safe and organized work environment.

Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Responsibly geared towards presenting a clean and welcome experience for guests through upholding sanitation requirements.

Job Requirements

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.

Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidate is a team player, personable, professional, upbeat and energetic, and takes initiative.

Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.

Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

IDEA + Belonging

Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units.

Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.

Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.

Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back.

Previous Experience

None Required

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)

SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Compensation and Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day .
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.. Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked , up to 48 hours per year , under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked , up to 40 hours per year , as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked , in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice (\"Notice\").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the \"Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights\" documentfor more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the \"Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights\" document.

Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America