Hospitality Assistant

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 24,796 - 29,714; Part time

Job summary

Rice University is seeking a Hospitality Assistant who will be responsible for preparing various dishes in a commercial kitchen. This role requires maintaining high standards of food quality and cleanliness. Ideal candidates must be available to work weekends and holidays, with responsibilities that include roles such as Cashier, Dishwasher, and Barista, depending on the needs of the kitchen.

Applicants should have at least a high school diploma and a Food Handler's Permit, with experience in a fast-paced kitchen environment preferred.

Qualifications

• 0–1 year of related culinary experience.
• Ability to detect scents and discern flavors.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and serves food items according to menus and recipes.
• Maintains sanitation within the kitchen and serving area.
• Supports specialized roles as needed.

Skills

HACCP Compliance

Communication

Collaboration

Technical Literacy

Sensory Awareness

Physical Endurance

Mobility

Schedule Flexibility

Education

High school diploma

Certified Food Handler's Permit (Houston) or equivalent (ServSafe)

Job description

Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a résumé in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

Position Summary

The Hospitality Assistant is responsible for preparing a variety of dishes in accordance with established menus and standardized recipes. This role ensures that high standards of food quality, sanitation, and presentation are consistently maintained, while also upholding cleanliness in the work area and supporting overall kitchen sanitation and maintenance.

• Cashier
• Dishwasher
• Cold Prep
• Bakeshop Prep
• Restaurant Server
• Banquet Server
• Barista
• Cohen House Steward

The weekly schedule will vary and will include working on weekends and holidays—candidates must be available to work any required shift.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate has experience working in a team environment and at least one year of related experience, preferably in a commercial kitchen setting. They should be comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment while managing multiple tasks. They may be expected to perform specialized roles such as Cashier, Dishwasher, Cold Prep, Bakeshop Prep, Restaurant Server, Banquet Server, Barista, or Cohen House Steward as needed.

Workplace Requirements

On‑campus position: This position is exclusively on‑site, requiring all duties to be performed in person at the designated work location at Rice University. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Essential On‑Campus

This role is classified as an Essential On‑Campus Position, requiring on‑site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions. During emergencies or crises, the employee is required to report to campus as directed to ensure continuity of critical operations and must remain accessible to leadership to fulfill responsibilities necessary for maintaining institutional functions.

Physical Demands

LIGHT WORK: Exert up to 25 lbs. of force occasionally. Requires walking or standing for up to 8 hours per day. Other physical requirements include manual dexterity and the ability to see, hear, reach, climb, and balance.

Other Requirements

Must be able to detect scents and discern flavors.

Environment

The work environment is a commercial kitchen and includes exposure to extreme temperatures. Work hazards include exposure to chemicals, wet floors, dangerous equipment (fryers, stoves, ovens, knives, slicers, etc.), and hot oil, steam, and water.

Hiring Range

$18.00 – $21.57 hourly, contingent upon qualifications and experience.

• Non‑Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma
• 0–1 year of related culinary experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education beyond what is required, on an equivalent year‑for‑year basis, may be substituted
• Certified Food Handler's Permit (Houston) or equivalent (ServSafe)

Skills

• HACCP Compliance: Able to document HACCP log sheets
• Communication: Must be able to speak and understand basic English
• Collaboration: Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team
• Technical Literacy: Able to read and understand standard recipes and production sheets
• Sensory Awareness: Must be able to detect scents and discern flavors
• Physical Endurance: Requires walking or standing for up to eight hours per day
• Mobility: Ability to bend, crouch, kneel, lift, see, reach, climb, and balance
• Schedule Flexibility: The weekly schedule will vary and will include working on weekends and holidays—must be available to work any required shift

Essential Functions

• Prepares and serves food items in accordance with menus and standardized recipes
• Participates in maintaining a high degree of sanitation within the kitchen and serving area, including cleaning standard kitchen equipment
• Performs one or more specialized roles:
  • Cashier: Responsible for providing customer service to individuals entering the unit, answering questions, and maintaining door security. Shares responsibility for cleanliness and setup at the front of the house
  • Dishwasher: Responsible for maintaining servery and kitchen cleanliness. Assists in daily dishwashing, including pots and pans, and is responsible for sweeping and mopping
  • Cold Prep: Responsible for assisting with food production and preparation of cold food items such as salads, fruit trays, and deli items. Also responsible for the cleanliness and stocking of the assigned workstation before, during, and after service
  • Bakeshop Prep: Assists with the preparation and production of baked goods, including pastries, cookies, and bread items. Maintains cleanliness and organization of the workstation and ensures supplies are properly stocked
  • Restaurant Server: Responsible for providing professional table service, including taking orders, serving food and beverages, and ensuring a high‑quality dining experience for Faculty Club guests
  • Banquet Server: Responsible for the setup, service, and breakdown of special events and banquets; involves moving furniture, setting tables, and serving large groups efficiently
  • Barista: Responsible for preparing and serving specialty coffee beverages and maintaining the cleanliness and stock of the coffee station
  • Cohen House Steward: Responsible for maintaining the unique ambiance and cleanliness of the Faculty Club’s dining and meeting spaces, ensuring all areas are guest‑ready
  • Performs all other duties assigned

Equal Employment Opportunity

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [e-mail] for support. If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.