Summer Fermentation/Preservation Space Manager

Chatham University; Matthews (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Chatham University is seeking a Fermentation/Preservation Space Manager to maintain the fermentation area, process surplus produce, and facilitate hands-on learning through workshops for students and community members.

The role supports teaching and community engagement, ensuring food safety through HACCP practices and accurate logs, while collaborating with campus programs and student clubs.

Qualifications

• Food safety certification or enrollment in a campus-approved program.
• Strong culinary interest with foundational kitchen skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and community members.
• Organized, reliable, and passionate about food systems, sustainability, and education.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and clean the fermentation space in accordance with HACCP protocols and food safety best practices.
• Use fermentation and preservation techniques to process surplus produce from the agroecology garden or campus farm.
• Conduct both formal and informal workshops to share applied fermentation skills and foster food culture within the community.
• Keep accurate food production logs and records.
• Coordinate with the Community Lunch Program to supply fermented or preserved foods.
• Provide teaching assistant support for undergraduate and graduate student projects related to fermentation and preservation.
• Support the Fermentation Club by offering guidance, mentorship, and operational assistance.

Skills

Culinary interest

Collaborative

Organized

Food safety awareness

Education

Food Safety Certification

Job description

Fermentation/Preservation SpaceManager

TheFermentationand Preservation Space serves as a vital link between academic courses (particularly Agroecology, Wines, Cider and Mead, andFermentation), the campus farm, and community-oriented events such as community lunches. This role helps bridge hands-on learning with sustainable food practices and cultural exchange.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and clean thefermentationspace in accordance with HACCP protocols and food safety best practices.
• Usefermentationand preservation techniques to process surplus produce from the agroecology garden or campus farm.
• Conduct both formal and informal workshops to share appliedfermentationskills and foster food culture within the community.
• Keep accurate food production logs and records.
• Coordinate with the Community Lunch Program to supply fermented or preserved foods.
• Provide teaching assistant support for undergraduate and graduate student projects related tofermentationand preservation.
• Support theFermentationClub by offering guidance, mentorship, and operational assistance.

Qualifications

• Food Safety Certification or currently enrolled in a campus-approved certification program.
• Strong culinary interest with foundational kitchen and food preparation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and community members.
• Organized, reliable, and passionate about food systems, sustainability, and education.

All current student employees should notify their other manager(s) if you work multiple jobs on campus at the same time. Additionally, students may not work more than 20 hours per week (combined between all campus jobs) during the academic year. Students may not exceed 980 work hours per calendar year.

Student jobs do not automatically roll over to the next academic year or summer.

Chatham University strives to promote a campus environment that understands and embraces multiculturalism while increasing individuals’ intercultural competence. We actively work to build and sustain a diverse and culturally vibrant campus, which promotes employee and student success and retention.

Chatham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Chatham University does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital or family status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.