Food Service Worker /Cook/Grill/ Bakery - August Start Dates - Back to School (hotel & cafe job)

Kirkwood Community College; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 16,531 - 22,041; Part time

Job summary

Kirkwood Community College is seeking a part-time cook for The Café at Kirkwood, Iowa Hall, Main Campus. You will support hot and cold production, catering and satellite location service, while upholding food safety standards and providing friendly guest engagement.

The role involves standing for long periods, working with varied menus, and coordinating with the culinary team to meet daily business needs. A commitment to reliability and teamwork is essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Commercial kitchen experience.
• Post-high-school degree preferred.
• More than two years commercial kitchen experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food production items for consumption, on demand or based on anticipated needs.
• Inspect preparation and serving areas for safe, sanitary practices.
• Substitute for or assist other cooks and bakers as needed.
• Support barista, cashier and dish functions as required.
• Prepare, package and serve items at satellite locations.
• Provide direction to prep cooks as needed.
• Wash, peel, cut and seed fruits/vegetables for use.
• Engage with customers and coworkers in a positive manner.
• Maintain regular and consistent attendance.
• Leave café and work areas clean and set for the next shift.
• Transport supplies, food and equipment between café locations on campus.
• Use time management and organizational skills.
• Follow menus/recipes and plan meals accordingly.
• Stand 5–6 hours, with bending, squatting and reaching as needed.
• Know food storage/handling techniques and safety.
• Operate kitchen and dish equipment safely.

Skills

Commercial kitchen experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

JOB GOAL

To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

This position is part time. Morning and/or lunch availability needed.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

The Café at Kirkwood (Iowa Hall, Main Campus at Kirkwood Community College) is a part of the same culinary team that operates The Class Act Restaurant and organizes banquets/catering for The Hotel at Kirkwood. The Café provides fresh, high‑quality ingredients, a tasty gourmet twist to recipes, and menus with variety and flavor to the students, employees and guests on Kirkwood’s main campus. Our cooks provide production support to various product lines including hot food, baked goods, cold goods, and various catering needs.

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES

• Advocate for continual improvement – empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with mutual accountability – working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion service – anticipating needs and creating a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance – commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead – regardless of title, through positive influence.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare food production items for consumption, either on demand or based on anticipated business needs.
• Inspect food preparation and serving areas to ensure observance of safe, sanitary food‑handling practices.
• Substitute for or assist other cooks and bakers as business needs demand.
• Support other functions such as barista, cashier and dish as business needs demand.
• Prepare, package and serve food items for sale and consumption at satellite locations.
• Provide direction to prep cooks as needed.
• Wash, peel, cut, and seed fruits and vegetables to prepare them for consumption.
• Positively engage with customers and coworkers.
• Maintain regular and consistent attendance at work.
• Leave café and work areas clean and set for the following shift, including dishwashing as needed.
• Perform other related work duties as assigned.
• Transport supplies, food and equipment between various café locations on campus.
• Use effective time management and organizational skills.
• Follow instructions (i.e., menus/recipes) as well as cook and plan meals.
• Be able to stand 5–6 hours a day and squat, reach & bend on a regular basis.
• Be knowledgeable of food storage/handling techniques.
• Understand and demonstrate the proper and safe operation of all kitchen and dish equipment.
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

• Constant (over two‑thirds of the time): standing, walking, using hands, reaching with hands and arms, talking or hearing, and tasting or smelling.
• Frequent (up to two‑thirds of the time): lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional (under one‑third of the time): climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and sitting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Commercial kitchen experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS

• Preference will be given to those candidates with a post‑high‑school degree.
• Preference will be given to those candidates with more than two years commercial kitchen experience.

EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students). Kirkwood offers a wide range of employee benefits.