Food Services Associate

UNC Health; North Carolina; On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Health’s Food Service Associate (FSA) – Production role supports patient meal service by preparing ingredients and producing salads, sandwiches, and desserts for direct trayline service. This position works under routine supervision and follows standardized recipes and safety standards.

You will collaborate with production and trayline teams to meet service timelines, maintain clean workstations, and wear proper uniforms and non-slip footwear while contributing to cost-effective operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• 1–3 months of food service or kitchen experience preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Prepare ingredients for production, including washing, peeling, cutting, and measuring.
• Produce salads, sandwiches, and desserts for patient trays per recipes.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and proper temperatures.
• Keep workstations clean and organized.
• Follow supervisor instructions and production timelines.

Skills

English literacy

Basic math

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Kitchen equipment

Job description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Position Summary

The Food Service Associate (FSA) – Production supports patient meal service by preparing ingredients and producing salads, sandwiches, and desserts for direct trayline service. This role performs basic food preparation and assembly tasks using standardized recipes, production sheets, and established food safety and sanitation standards. The position works under routine supervision and does not perform independent cooking of hot entrees or menu planning.

Essential Job Functions

• Prepares ingredients for food production, including washing, peeling, cutting, slicing, and measuring items as directed.
• Produces salads, sandwiches, and desserts for patient trayline service according to standardized recipes and portion guidelines.
• Assembles cold and simple food items for direct patient consumption.
• Follows all food safety, sanitation, and infection prevention standards.
• Maintains proper food temperatures, labeling, dating, and storage practices.
• Maintains clean, sanitary, and organized workstations, equipment, and coolers.
• Uses food products efficiently to minimize waste and support cost-effective operations.
• Follows written and verbal instructions from supervisors and production leadership.
• Works collaboratively with production and trayline teams to meet service timelines.
• Demonstrates professionalism, teamwork, and a positive work ethic.
• Wears required Nutrition and Food Services uniforms and maintains them in clean, serviceable condition.
• Wears required non-slip footwear in all food production areas.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support department operations.

Required Training

• Food safety training (for example, ServSafe or equivalent).
• OSHA and workplace safety training, including fire safety, chemical handling, bloodborne pathogens, choking response, and emergency procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for the majority of the shift.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and use hands for food preparation tasks.
• Ability to lift and move supplies up to approximately 50 lb.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Kitchen and food production environment with exposure to hot and cold areas, sharp tools, cleaning chemicals, and food service equipment.
• Flexible scheduling based on operational needs, including weekends and holidays.
• Production kitchen operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Other Information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• One to three months of food service, kitchen support, or production experience preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

Licensure/Certification Requirements

• No licensure or certification required.

Professional Experience Requirements

• No prior experience required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to read and write in English.
• Ability to perform basic math related to measuring and portioning.
• Ability to follow standardized recipes and production instructions.
• Knowledge of basic food safety and sanitation practices.
• Ability to safely use basic kitchen tools and equipment.
• Ability to monitor and maintain appropriate food holding temperatures.

Job Details

Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: NFS Production Services
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Salary Range: $18.00 - $24.66 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Variable
Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email [e-mail] if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.