Culinary Associate

Swarthmore, PA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Part-time

Hourly

Compensation

Hourly

Exact $23.58

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

holiday schedule

Tuition Reimbursement

tuition grant program

Job Description

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Established as one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore combines rigorous academic programs with a strong commitment to social responsibility and inclusive excellence. The College draws students from across the nation and the world, cultivating a diverse and vibrant community on its picturesque 425-acre campus, which is also a designated arboretum featuring gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods. Swarthmore College is committed to fostering nondiscrimination in its educational programs and employment practices, encouraging candidates who will enhance the College’s goal of promoting diversity and inclusion.

Swarthmore Dining operates as a self-operated dining program that is an integral part of the College community. Dedicated to serving nutritious and satisfying food in a welcoming environment every day, Swarthmore Dining emphasizes a diverse menu with high-quality ingredients, prioritizing locally grown and sustainably produced products whenever possible. The dining program is committed to inclusive dining, ensuring that vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary restrictions are accommodated. Swarthmore Dining offers a unique work-life balance, an attractive feature that sets it apart in an industry often characterized by long, rigid hours.

The Culinary Associate role is a vital position within Swarthmore’s Dining Services department. This role is dynamic and may require working across different stations such as Cook, Pizza Cook, Commissary, or Baker depending on scheduling and departmental needs. The position involves working in a fast-paced environment driven by a passion for food and an energetic team spirit. The Culinary Associate plays a key role in shaping the student dining experience by ensuring the timely production of meals that meet the College’s high standards of quality, taste, creativity, presentation, and variety. Under the supervision of the Executive Chef or Sous Chef, the Associate prepares ingredients, cooks or bakes menu items according to standard recipes, and maintains strict food safety and sanitation standards.

The pay rate for this position is $23.58 per hour, representing Swarthmore College’s reasonable estimate of the compensation range at the time of posting. This opportunity comes with an extensive benefits package, including zero-cost benefit plans upon eligibility, a retirement plan with the College contributing 10% of an employee’s salary, and full vesting from the start of participation. Employees also enjoy paid time off, tuition reimbursement, holiday schedules, and a supportive community that values creativity, collaboration, and respect.

Swarthmore College places strong emphasis on safety and legal compliance, requiring a Pennsylvania criminal clearance prior to employment. The College is committed to a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging, actively seeking candidates who demonstrate exceptional qualifications alongside a commitment to fostering a more inclusive society. Joining Swarthmore Dining means becoming part of a dedicated team passionate about food quality, sustainability, and exceptional service, contributing to a welcoming and vibrant dining culture on one of the most scenic campuses in the United States.

Job Requirements

2 years of cook experience in high-volume food establishment or completion of culinary vocational training program
excellent culinary knife skills
ability to scale recipes for various batch sizes
good interpersonal skills
excellent customer service
ability to read and follow recipes
clear communication skills
professional and respectful interaction with co-workers and management
ability to follow verbal and written instructions
PA criminal clearance required

Job Qualifications

Two years of cook experience in a high-volume food establishment or culinary vocational training program completion
excellent culinary knife skills
recipe scaling for various batch sizes
good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment
excellent customer service
ability to read and follow recipes
clear communication skills
professionalism and respect in interactions with co-workers and management
ability to read, write, comprehend, and follow verbal and written instructions

Job Duties

Consults daily menu and production sheets to prepare for shifts
reads recipes and produces products consistent with recipes and production
maintains departmental standards for all menu items
places finished products on the line in a timely manner
ensures safe food products of highest quality, freshness, and consistency
stores all food properly with appropriate wrapping, dating, and labeling
cleans and sanitizes kitchen equipment and work areas
promotes teamwork through cleaning and kitchen organization tasks
observes kitchen safety, sanitation, and back door safety rules
uses FIFO rule for food rotation
completes running, opening, and closing side work
provides friendly and competent customer service
records food temperature logs for hot and cold items
follows all food safety HACCP requirements
prepares foods at correct temperatures according to guidelines
cuts, trims, bones, and carves meats and poultry
assists with kitchen workflow and other areas as needed
monitors menu items and portion control communicating clearly with front of house
prepares baked goods according to recipes and directions of the Baker