Cook

Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is renowned for its beautiful 300-acre tree-lined campus and is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Known for its low 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, Rice fosters intimate, supportive learning environments through its unique residential college system. This system enriches student life by offering intellectual, emotional, and cultural support via a variety of activities including social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Rice University is highly regarded for its quality of life and value among private universities, reflecting a commitment to fostering close-knit, diverse, and vibrant college communities.

Rice University is also recognized as an exceptional workplace, where faculty, staff, and students share core values critical to the success and well-being of the university community. These values—Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence—define how individuals at Rice interact with one another and contribute to a welcoming environment for all visitors and members. The institution prides itself on maintaining a healthy, respectful, and productive working culture that aligns with these principles.

The Cook position at Rice University is a vital role within this thriving academic and community environment. This role involves preparing a variety of foods following standardized recipes and menu instructions, ensuring that all food items meet strict quality, sanitation, and appearance standards. Beyond culinary skills, the Cook maintains a clean and organized work area, assists with general kitchen cleaning, and ensures compliance with health and safety regulations. The candidate must be proficient in all standard kitchen stations, demonstrating flexibility and a comprehensive understanding of kitchen operations.

The ideal candidate for the Cook position at Rice University is experienced in a team setting, preferably within a commercial kitchen environment. Candidates must be comfortable working in a fast-paced atmosphere managing multiple tasks simultaneously, showcasing strong culinary techniques, excellent time management, and the ability to work independently or collaboratively. The Cook may also provide guidance to visitors and occasionally lead other attendants, students, or event staff, reflecting the dynamic nature of the campus dining operations.

This position is exclusively on-site, requiring physical presence at Rice University’s assigned location and classifies as an Essential On-Campus Position, which demands availability during emergencies or crises to ensure the continuity of critical campus functions. The role involves light physical work such as exerting up to 25 lbs of force occasionally, standing or walking up to 8 hours a day, and working in an environment that may expose the employee to extreme temperatures and various kitchen hazards including chemicals, hot oil, steam, and dangerous equipment.

The hiring range for this role is $19.08 to $23.00 per hour, and it is a non-exempt hourly position eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Rice University values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the application and hiring process.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their resumes as PDF files to avoid formatting issues and to highlight their relevant experience, certified food handling permits (e.g., Houston Certified Food Handler’s Permit or ServSafe certification), and a strong foundational knowledge of food safety standards. This role offers an enriching workplace for individuals passionate about culinary arts and community service, and it plays a critical part in supporting Rice University’s mission and values through quality food service and exceptional teamwork.