Culinary Lab Assistant

Joliet Junior College is a renowned institution in Illinois known for its dedication to providing diverse and comprehensive education programs that cater to a wide range of student backgrounds and career aspirations. The college operates under a philosophy of inclusion, innovation, and quality, emphasizing respect, collaboration, and well-being in its academic community. With a diverse student population representing various ethnicities, languages, ages, and gender identities, Joliet Junior College commits to fostering a supportive environment that encourages cultural competence and emotional intelligence among both staff and students. The college’s Culinary Arts Management Program stands out as a pivotal area within its Career and Technical Education division, focused on equipping students with practical skills and knowledge essential for successful careers in the culinary field.

The Culinary Lab Assistant role at Joliet Junior College is a part-time position within the Academic Affairs division, specifically supporting the Culinary Arts department. This non-union, non-exempt role is classified under support staff grade 2 and offers an hourly wage ranging from $15.38 to $17.30. As a crucial support position, the Culinary Lab Assistant works directly under the supervision of a chef instructor, providing vital assistance during culinary lab classes. The primary responsibility of this role is to facilitate an effective learning environment by supporting both faculty and students in daily lab operations, ensuring that all procedures, safety standards, and quality expectations are met. The assistant helps manage the classroom environment by monitoring recipe adherence, cooking and baking techniques, and sanitation practices to maintain high operational standards required by health regulations.

The position demands a proactive individual who can communicate effectively with students, instructors, and foodservice staff alike. Being patient, self-motivated, and possessing strong problem-solving skills are essential traits for a successful candidate. The Culinary Lab Assistant not only supports culinary education by assisting students with professional skills such as knife handling and terminology but also plays an integral role in supervising food production, storage, and cleanup processes to promote safety and efficiency in the lab. Moreover, the role involves contributing to recruitment efforts and community engagement activities such as hosting visiting students and participating in high school career fairs, supporting the growth and visibility of the Culinary Arts program.

Candidates for this position are expected to have completed at least one year of culinary arts lab work with a solid academic record and must either hold or be in the process of obtaining a Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (FSSMC) for the State of Illinois. Flexibility in scheduling to accommodate lab times, combined with a demonstrated commitment to the college's core values—including sustainability, inclusion, and quality—is essential. Physical demands include the ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds, directly reflecting the hands-on nature of culinary work. Given the college's emphasis on cultural competence, bilingual skills in English and Spanish are highly valued, although not mandatory. This comprehensive role offers an enriching opportunity for anyone passionate about culinary arts education and student development within a leading academic institution.