Food Service Worker I* Dishwasher/Potwasher

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, NC is seeking a Food Service Worker I to perform routine food service tasks under supervision in a dining/food production area, including dishwashing and basic food prep.

Responsibilities include operating dish machines, maintaining cleanliness, stocking supplies, serving food to customers, and assisting with general duties as directed; this is an entry‑level role offering on-site work at Duke's dining facilities.

Qualifications

• Education: ability to understand and follow instructions generally acquired through a partial high school education.
• Experience: NONE beyond education/training.
• OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of foods including meats, vegetables, baked goods and desserts, and beverages.
• Operate food production equipment such as slicers, dicers and mixers.
• Transport food to serving areas and stock supplies; ensure proper temperature and display; serve portions.
• Clear dishes and dispose of trash; load trays and ensure sanitation.
• Set up and operate dish machine and inspect cleaned items.

Skills

Dishwashing

Food service

Education

Partial high school education

Job description

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Food Service Worker I* Dishwasher/Potwasher

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 274664

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Sep 17, 2026

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15, 000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Positional Summary

Perform routine food service tasks and manual work under immediate supervision or detailed instructions in a food production and/or food service area; operate dish machine; wash, clean and mop food service areas as assigned.

Key Position Duties

• Assist in the preparation of foods such as meats, vegetables, baked goods and desserts; prepare foods to include beverages, salads, dressings, sandwiches, and cold plates.
• Operate food production equipment to include slicers, choppers, dicers, mixers, vertical cutters, patty making machines, and other vegetable, bakery, and meat processing equipment.
• Transport food or supplies to serving areas; ensure that areas are properly set up; assemble and replenish food, supplies, and equipment as required; ensure proper temperature of food in steam tables and correct counter display; take orders, portion, and serve food to customers; record portions served according to procedure; remove, cover, wrap, label, store, rotate, and discard food and condiments as directed. Clean assigned areas following proper sanitary procedures; sweep, mop floors and vacuum rugs and carpets in assigned areas as needed.
• Clear soiled dishes and refuse from tables in dining halls; scrape refuse into garbage containers; load trays and soiled dishes on conveyers, racks, and carts; remove and dispose of trash.
• Set up and operate dish machine to clean dishes, trays, silverware, glassware, pots, pans, and utensils; sort utensils and equipment; inspect cleaned items for quality of operations.
• Maintain sufficient stock and supplies for the proper performance of duties; unload incoming supplies and equipment; unpack and assist in receiving, issuing, and transporting materials; verify quantity of received goods against invoices and notify supervisor of discrepancies; stock supplies and equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures; assemble supplies and deliver to ordering unit, using hand truck if needed; report needed items for reorder.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative outline of the type of responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as all-encompassing or as a declaration of all specific duties and responsibilities of this position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies

Required Minimum Education and Experience:

• Education
  • Work requires ability to understand and follow instructions generally acquired through a partial high school education.
• Experience
  • NONE beyond education/training
• OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Physical Demands

• Ability to move throughout dining facilities,
• Moving heavy weighted materials and equipment (up to 50 lbs)
• Self-movement/positioning to perform light cleaning duties in high and/or low areas
• Position self to reach materials on shelving units
• Potential transport and stock of assigned supplies and materials

The incumbent must be able to complete all positional requirements outlined above with or without reasonable accommodations. For more information, please visit https://hr.duke.edu/policies/ada/

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.