Food Service Worker Lead

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring incentive

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Washington State University is hiring a Food Service Worker Lead in Pullman, WA. This role works with the culinary team to prepare and present menu items, manage par levels, and minimize waste. It involves handling storage, receiving deliveries, and keeping equipment and work areas clean.

A leadership element includes directing staff and maintaining safe, compliant food operations. The position is full time and eligible for a $3,500 hiring incentive.

Qualifications

• Possession of, or eligible for, a food handler’s permit and one year of institutional food preparation and serving experience.
• Six months experience directing the work of others; or equivalent education/experience.
• Washington Food Handler’s Permit within 14 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present food in assigned areas and catering menus.
• Maintain par stock levels and minimize waste from over-purchasing.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and cleanliness of food, dishware, and equipment.
• Assist with entering orders, receiving deliveries, and maintaining storage areas.

Skills

Food handling permit

Food preparation experience

Leadership & training

Inventory/par stock management

Tools

Commercial kitchen equipment

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

August 23, 2026

Available Title(s): 675G-YY_CS_NPS - Food Service Worker Lead

Business Title: Food Service Worker Lead

Employee Type: Classified

Position Details

The Opportunity: As the Food Service Worker Lead, you will work under the direction of the Management Team and the indirect supervision of the Manager. In this role, you will collaborate with the unit Chef and culinary team to prepare and present food in assigned areas, including platform menu items, special menus, prep items, and catering menu offerings. You will help develop and maintain appropriate par stock levels to ensure adequate product availability while minimizing waste from over‑purchasing. You will ensure the proper handling and storage of all food products and maintain an adequate supply of clean, sanitary, and properly stored dishware, utensils, pots, and pans for use throughout the operation. Additionally, you will maintain the cleanliness of storage areas and the loading dock, assist with entering orders, receive food, paper products, cleaning supplies, and other deliveries, and ensure all food, paper, and chemical products are properly stored, rotated, and organized. You will also be responsible for the care and upkeep of the equipment used in the unit.

To support WSU’s ability to attract talent in a competitive job market, this recruitment has been approved for a hiring incentive payment of up to $3,500.00. More information regarding the hiring incentive payment program can be located on the HRS website: Hiring Incentive – Human Resource Services, Washington State University (wsu.edu).

Additional Information

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary

$3,827 to $4,517 | Range 37 Steps F - M | Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits

• WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications

• Possession of, or eligible for, a food handler’s permit AND one year of experience in quantity or institutional food preparation AND serving, which includes six months experience directing the work of others; OR equivalent education/experience.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Washington Food Handler’s Permit within 14 days of employment
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two to five years food service experience.
• Multi-faceted food experience.
• Experience in a la carte restaurant cooking and various international/ethnic cuisines.
• Experience leading and training employees.
• General knowledge of commercial grade kitchen equipment use, safety, and maintenance.
• One to two years experience in increasingly responsible storeroom positions, to include receiving, storing and organizing all supplies.
• Experience leading and training employees.
• General knowledge of commercial grade kitchen equipment use, safety, and maintenance.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus - Dining.wsu.edu

Area/College: Student Affairs

Department Name: Dining Services

Location: Pullman, WA

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type: Full time

Position Term: 9 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/