General Cook II

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Villanova University is seeking a General Cook II to support the Inn at Villanova University. The role involves cooking, food prep, and sanitation under supervision with a focus on safety and quality.

The position supports chefs and managers to ensure smooth operations during events. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, ServSafe (preferred), and at least three years of basic food service experience.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate or Formal GED.
• Current Serve Safe Certification (a plus).
• In-depth knowledge of food service safety and sanitation procedures.
• Must have at least three years of basic food service experience.
• Ability to read and interpret recipes and adjust scale to yield requirement.
• Practices excellent personal hygiene habits; follows and adheres to uniform standards daily.
• Basic communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interact with people on a constant basis.

Responsibilities

• Work assigned areas such as main kitchen, buffets, action stations, etc.
• Follow recipes and produce food items as assigned by Chefs; maintain temperatures/appearance.
• Clean and sanitize equipment including hoods, ovens, grills, etc.
• Lead the kitchen team when Manager is absent.
• Work special functions if requested.

Skills

Food safety

Sanitation knowledge

Reading recipes

Minimal supervision

People interaction

Education

High School/GED

ServSafe Certification

Tools

Commercial kitchen equipment

Job description

General Cook II

The schedule for this role varies. This is based on events of the Inn.

Posting Details

Do you have questions about the application process? If so, please refer to the Applicant FAQ’s.

Posting Details (Default Section) Posting Number: 20260149S Position Title: General Cook II Position Type: Staff Location: Villanova, PA Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants Work Schedule: full-time/12-months Avg Hours Week Department: 507-Inn at Villanova University Position Summary: Why work at Villanova?

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.

The General Cook II performs a variety of task including, but not limited to food prep, grill cooking, cleaning and sanitation of kitchen area with minimal supervision. This person has in-depth knowledge of food safety and sanitation under guidelines set by The Inn at VU. This person works with chefs, managers and other staff to ensure the success of the Inn. All team members should improve our systems and overall operation.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Work assigned areas such as main kitchen, buffets, action stations, etc. Ability to identify needs for various stations, with minimal supervision. This includes small ware needs, equipment needs and settings, portion controls, and overall quality of ingredients.
2. Follow recipes and produce food items as assigned by Chefs. Maintain proper food temperatures and appearance of food. Record and maintain food production records. Be responsible for gathering ingredients, utensils, pots, pans and food from walk-ins and freezers for preparation of product.
3. Clean and sanitize equipment including but not limited to hoods, ovens, grills, floors, walls, hot trucks, kettles, prep tables, broilers, char broilers and other cleaning task as assigned by chefs/ managers.
4. OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
5. Work special functions if requested.
6. Ability to lead the kitchen team without Manager presence. Additional duties as assigned by chefs/managers that may include utility and pantry duties.

Minimum Qualifications

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS :

Formal Education:

• High School Graduate or Formal GED
• Current Serve Safe Certification (a plus)

Specific Job Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of food service safety and sanitation procedures.

Minimum Work Experience:

• Must have at least three years of basic food service experience.

Work Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret recipes and adjust scale to yield requirement
• Practices excellent personal hygiene habits; follows and adheres to uniform standards daily.
• Basic communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interact with people on a constant basis.

Equipment Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of operating commercial kitchen equipment and their functions.
• Ability to set-up, operate, break down and clean.
• Ability to properly use knives, slicer, ovens and other equipment as directed by chef/managers.

Working Conditions/Environment:

• Tools, machinery and equipment used: Knives, oven, grill, fryer, slicer, broiler, rational oven, dish machine, floor cleaning machines such as wrangler.
• Environmental conditions: Ability to use chemicals daily as required. Will use proper protective equipment as called for by the specific chemical and task.
• Physical requirements: Ability to lift up to 40 pounds independently, sit stand for extended periods, push/pull up to 40 pounds independently, use various chemicals

Preferred Qualifications

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: Special Message to Applicants: The schedule for this role varies. This is based on events of the Inn.

Posting Date & Salary

Posting Date: 10/05/2026 Closing Date (11:59pm ET): Salary Posting Information: $18.98 per hour / shift differential added for qualifying shifts

updated LS on 7/22 Salary Grade: 9 Job Classification: non-exempt

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed 3 Maximum Number of References Needed 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you first hear of this employment opportunity?
  • Indeed.com
  • Higheredjobs.com
  • LinkedIn
  • Glassdoor
  • Chronicle Vitae
  • Academic Keys
  • PA CareerLink/JobGateway
  • Professional Affiliation/Trade Website
  • Diversity Association/Publication Website
  • Advertisement in Academic or Professional Publication
  • Referred by a current employee
  • Referred by a friend, family member, or former employee
  • Heard about it at a conference or career fair
  • Browsing the Villanova website
  • Cabrini University employee
  • Other
• * If your answer to the above question is "Other", please specify the source below. If this question does not apply to you, enter N/A.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have a High School Diploma or equivilent?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have at least three years of basic food service experience?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have 3 years experience in catering?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Are you able to work nights and weekends

  (Open Ended Question)

Documents needed to complete your application:

Required Documents

• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
• Resume / Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents

• Letters of Reference (uploaded by applicant)