Kitchen Lead (5651C) Lawrence Hall of Science, #88686

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley's public science center, seeks a Kitchen Lead to prepare, cook, and serve made-to-order and grab-and-go items for our on-site cafe and campus venues. You will work under the direction of initiative leaders to ensure quality and customer-focused service.

You will need strong food-service knowledge, ability to supervise others, follow recipes, and maintain cleanliness and safety across production areas. This is a full-time, on-site role with UC benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in food preparation.
• Customer service experience.
• Ability to read, write and follow instructions in English.
• Ability to direct the work of others.
• Ability to follow recipes and intake feedback.

Responsibilities

• Set up, prepare, and replenish food and beverages for service.
• Assist with paning and basic food prep to support menu production.
• Serve, plate, and package food with portion control.
• Maintain safety, sanitation, and clean work areas.
• Direct work of others and handle casual supervision as needed.

Skills

Food prep

Customer service

Team leadership

Recipe follow-through

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley’s next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

Located in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus, The Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley's public science center, inspires and engages millions each year through science discovery and learning in ways that advance equity and opportunity.

Located in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus, The Lawrence welcomes over 100,000 visitors per year to programs and events onsite and hundreds of thousands more in schools and community settings across Northern California. Our programs, products, and research impact youth, communities, educators, leaders and partners locally, nationally and globally.

The Lawrence Hall of Science is the home of UC Berkeley’s 'ottoy Initiative. The 'ottoy Initiative aims to foster understanding of and respect for Ohlone people and culture and to repair and improve UC Berkeley's relationship with the Ohlone community.

Position Summary

In this position, the Kitchen Lead supports the 'ammatka Kitchen, which provides culinary experiences at The Lawrence and across the UC Berkeley campus designed to foster understanding of and respect for Ohlone people and culture. Under the direction of 'ottoy Initiative leaders and the 'ottoy Culinary Manager, the Kitchen Lead prepares, cooks, and serves a combination of made-to-order and grab-and-go food for sale in the onsite cafe and other culinary offerings served in other campus venues. This position requires knowledge of all aspects of food service in a restaurant, catering or retail food operation, including preparation, serving and presentation of food and beverages; dining and serving area set up; cleaning of the facilities, equipment and tableware; customer service, and executing transactions.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 9/17/2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Food Preparation, Production and Service - 35%

• Set-up, prepare, replenish, distribute food products, beverages, and supplies in designated areas to ensure availability in a timely manner to meet customer demand, Under general supervision, performs semi-skilled food preparation, to include but not limited to grilling, frying and use of pizza ovens.
• Assemble and basic preparation of food products and beverages to support service and menu production, in adherence to 'ammatka service and production standards. As cooks' helpers, assist with preparing and panning menu items, wash and cut raw vegetables, slice luncheon meats and cheeses; open and pan convenience food items in preparation for service; replenish dry storage bins; and clean equipment, cutlery, utensils, work tables, shelves, storage racks, cutting boards and sinks in the main food production areas.

Food Production and Service - 25%

• Knowledgeable about food being served, including allergens, ingredients, etc Establish and maintain positive relations with our customers. Listen, and if possible, resolve customers needs and report them to the manager and/or supervisor. Interact enthusiastically and pleasantly with customers and co-workers to ensure a positive interaction and outcome in every interaction.
• Responsible for practicing good stewardship with university and customer resources. Serve, plate, and package food using portion control techniques, resulting in an appealing final product. Follow basic principles of safety and sanitation in food service. Transport, deliver and serve prepared food to multiple campus locations.

Sanitation and Safety - 30%

• Maintain cleanliness of all work areas, including sweeping, mopping, wiping surfaces. Remove and properly dispose of trash, compost, and recyclable materials. Immediately resolve or report spills, damages, defects, and other issues to maintain safety and sanitation of the facility. Ensure all operational areas are clean and organized in a timely manner to meet customer demand. Clean and wash soiled dishware and equipment using correct procedures of safety and sanitation. Organize and store clean dishware into proper transporting equipment.
• As general utility workers, dish machine attendants, pot and pan machine attendants, perform a wide variety of duties for the maintenance of the equipment used. As general maintenance workers, clean and maintain production equipment and areas to include but not limited to pots, steamers, ovens, grills, deep wells, fryers and mixers; clean work tables, shelves, sinks, drinking fountains, storage cabinets, ice machines, refrigerators and food storage bins; clean walls, doors, and air-vents; collect, empty wash and redistribute garbage cans; and sweep and mop floors in kitchen or dining area.
• As pot and pan machine attendants, assemble, scrape, soak and wash pots, pans and utensils in the pot machine or three compartment sink; and clean pot machine, work tables, soak sinks and portable storage pot racks. Put away all items when clean and dry.

Other Duties as Assigned and Professional Development - 10%

• Perform additional tasks as required, participate in organizational activities that advance the well-being of The Lawrence Hall of Science and the 'ottoy Initiative, and engage in opportunities for professional growth.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in food preparation
• Experience with general maintenance and cleaning activities in a kitchen and dining area.
• Customer service experience.
• Experience following directions related to job responsibilities
• Demonstrated ability to direct the work of others.
• Ability to follow recipes and to take and incorporate feedback.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English and follow oral/written instructions.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to operate and maintain restaurant food service equipment
• Experience plating and packaging food in aesthetically pleasing manner

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in large volume production
• Knowledge and/or experience related to using indigenous ingredients in food preparation
• Knowledge and/or experience related to cultivating cultural appreciation through culinary experiences
• Knowledge related to advancing food sustainability and security
• Experience in a foodservice operation in public-facing, cultural organization

Education / Training

• High school diploma or equivalent certification/experience

Licenses / Certifications

• ServSafe or Food Service Handler Certification (Preferred)
• TIPS Training (Preferred)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $26.51 - $29.27 (steps 1.0 - 6.0).

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Driving Required

Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Service Unit (SX) between the University of California and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/sx/index.html

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” Means Any Violation Of The Policies Or Laws Governing Conduct At The Applicant’s Previous Place Of Employment, Including, But Not Limited To, Violations Of Policies Or Laws Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Or Other Forms Of Harassment, Discrimination, Dishonesty, Or Unethical Conduct, As Defined By The Employer. For Reference, Below Are UC’s Policies Addressing Some Forms Of Misconduct

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.