Job Overview
Employment Type
Temporary
Hourly
Compensation
Hourly
Exact $23.58
Work Schedule
Fixed Shifts
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
holiday schedule
Retirement Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
tuition grant program
Job Description
Swarthmore College is a prestigious liberal arts institution located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, known for its academic rigor combined with a strong commitment to social responsibility. The college's mission revolves around offering an exceptional educational experience that fosters inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination. As part of this ethos, Swarthmore College encourages diversity and inclusivity within its community, aiming to create an environment that promotes belonging, respect, and collaboration among all members. Situated on a beautiful 425-acre arboretum campus, the college features gardens, expansive lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails, offering a serene and inspiring setting for both study and work. Swarthmore draws students and staff from across the nation and around the world, enriching the campus culture with global perspectives and experiences.
Swarthmore Dining is an integral part of this vibrant community, dedicated to delivering nutritious and satisfying meals daily. The dining services prioritize high-quality ingredients, with a focus on locally grown and sustainably produced products. The dining program supports a diverse menu that caters to vegetarian, vegan, and various dietary restrictions, embodying inclusivity through food. Unlike many dining programs, Swarthmore Dining is self-operated and emphasizes a positive work-life balance for its employees, making it an attractive employer for those seeking a supportive, well-organized workplace in the food service industry.
The position available is for a Culinary Associate within the Dining Services department. This role is a 9-month appointment, typically from August to May, allowing individuals to engage in meaningful culinary work while balancing other commitments outside the academic year. Culinary Associates at Swarthmore work across multiple stations—including cook, pizza cook, commissary, or baker—depending on departmental scheduling and needs. This dynamic environment is fast-paced and collaborative, requiring a passion for food preparation, creativity, and a team-oriented attitude.
The Culinary Associate is responsible for preparing, cooking, and baking menu items according to standardized recipes while upholding the department's high standards in food quality, taste, creativity, and presentation. Key facets of the role involve ensuring timely meal production, maintaining rigorous food safety and sanitation procedures, and participating actively in kitchen organization and workflow. The candidate will interact regularly with students, faculty, and staff, contributing directly to the dining experience that supports the broader academic community.
Working under the direction of the Executive Chef or Sous Chef, the Culinary Associate must demonstrate excellent culinary skills, including knife proficiency, recipe scaling, and safe cooking techniques. The role demands an individual with strong interpersonal skills, who can communicate clearly and work respectfully within a team. As food safety is paramount, compliance with HACCP requirements and proper food storage practices are essential elements of this position.
Swarthmore College offers a competitive wage of $23.58 per hour and comprehensive benefits aimed at supporting employees' well-being and financial security. Employees are welcomed into a collaborative environment where their contributions support the College's mission of academic excellence and social responsibility. If you are passionate about culinary arts and want to be part of a dedicated team making a difference in collegiate dining, Swarthmore College invites you to apply for this exciting role.
Swarthmore Dining is an integral part of this vibrant community, dedicated to delivering nutritious and satisfying meals daily. The dining services prioritize high-quality ingredients, with a focus on locally grown and sustainably produced products. The dining program supports a diverse menu that caters to vegetarian, vegan, and various dietary restrictions, embodying inclusivity through food. Unlike many dining programs, Swarthmore Dining is self-operated and emphasizes a positive work-life balance for its employees, making it an attractive employer for those seeking a supportive, well-organized workplace in the food service industry.
The position available is for a Culinary Associate within the Dining Services department. This role is a 9-month appointment, typically from August to May, allowing individuals to engage in meaningful culinary work while balancing other commitments outside the academic year. Culinary Associates at Swarthmore work across multiple stations—including cook, pizza cook, commissary, or baker—depending on departmental scheduling and needs. This dynamic environment is fast-paced and collaborative, requiring a passion for food preparation, creativity, and a team-oriented attitude.
The Culinary Associate is responsible for preparing, cooking, and baking menu items according to standardized recipes while upholding the department's high standards in food quality, taste, creativity, and presentation. Key facets of the role involve ensuring timely meal production, maintaining rigorous food safety and sanitation procedures, and participating actively in kitchen organization and workflow. The candidate will interact regularly with students, faculty, and staff, contributing directly to the dining experience that supports the broader academic community.
Working under the direction of the Executive Chef or Sous Chef, the Culinary Associate must demonstrate excellent culinary skills, including knife proficiency, recipe scaling, and safe cooking techniques. The role demands an individual with strong interpersonal skills, who can communicate clearly and work respectfully within a team. As food safety is paramount, compliance with HACCP requirements and proper food storage practices are essential elements of this position.
Swarthmore College offers a competitive wage of $23.58 per hour and comprehensive benefits aimed at supporting employees' well-being and financial security. Employees are welcomed into a collaborative environment where their contributions support the College's mission of academic excellence and social responsibility. If you are passionate about culinary arts and want to be part of a dedicated team making a difference in collegiate dining, Swarthmore College invites you to apply for this exciting role.
Job Requirements
- high school diploma or equivalent
- two years of cooking experience in a high-volume food setting or completion of culinary vocational training
- strong knife skills
- ability to scale recipes
- good interpersonal and teamwork skills
- excellent customer service
- proficiency in reading and following recipes
- clear and professional communication skills
- capability to follow verbal and written instructions
- availability to work a 9-month schedule from August through May
- willingness to undergo PA criminal background check
- ability to stand for long periods and work in a fast-paced environment
Job Qualifications
- two years of cook experience in a high-volume food establishment or completion of a culinary vocational training program
- excellent culinary knife skills
- recipe scaling for various batch sizes
- good interpersonal skills
- ability to work well in a team environment
- excellent customer service skills
- ability to read and follow recipes
- clear communication skills
- ability to communicate with co-workers and management professionally and respectfully
- ability to read, write, comprehend, and follow verbal and written instructions
- culinary program certificate preferred
- three to five years experience in high-volume food establishment preferred
- serv-safe certification preferred
- food allergen knowledge or certification preferred
- valid PA driver's license preferred
Job Duties
- consults daily menu and production sheets to prepare for shifts
- reads recipes and produces products consistent with recipes and production standards
- maintains departmental standards for all menu items
- places finished products on the line promptly
- ensures safe, high-quality food is served to faculty, students, and staff
- stores food properly with accurate labeling and dating
- cleans and sanitizes kitchen equipment and work areas
- promotes teamwork by assisting with kitchen cleaning and organization
- observes kitchen safety and sanitation rules
- follows FIFO rule for food rotation
- uses cleaning chemicals according to safety data sheets
- completes running, opening, and closing side work
- provides friendly and competent customer service
- records food temperature logs
- complies with HACCP food safety requirements
- prepares food according to cooking times and portion sizes
- evaluates food quality by tasting
- cuts, trims, bones, and carves meats and poultry
- uses correct portions when prepping and serving
- assists in other kitchen areas as needed
- helps maintain kitchen organization and workflow
- maintains professional and clean appearance
- ensures proper cooling and food storage
- suggests menu and recipe adjustments
- communicates clearly with front of house about menu items and portions
- records production
- monitors line server about menu items and portion control
- maintains visual contact with customers
- prepares components for salads, deli, catering, grab-n-go sandwiches, and retail as directed
- prepares baked goods and uses commercial baking equipment under baker's direction
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
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