Food Service Worker, Lead

Claremont McKenna College, located in Claremont, California, is a prestigious liberal arts college renowned for its rigorous academics and commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. The college is dedicated to providing a harassment-free educational and working environment, upholding equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected category. As an employer, Claremont McKenna College is committed to compliance with all applicable state and federal employment laws and actively promotes diversity and inclusion.

The Food Service Worker, Lead position at Claremont McKenna College is a vital role within the dining services team, specifically responsible for the operations of Collins Dining Hall. This full-time, non-exempt role offers an approximate pay range of $24.00 to $26.00 per hour and is a 9-month position with benefits eligibility. The working hours are scheduled primarily in the evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and midday to evening hours on Friday, with occasional overtime, holiday, weekend, and evening shifts required.

The Food Service Worker, Lead plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of meal service operations. Reporting to the General Manager of Bon Appetit, this individual will coordinate staff efforts during set-up, service, and clean-up of meals and snacks. Key responsibilities include maintaining cleanliness and organization of dining and food preparation areas, overseeing the proper stocking and presentation of food stations such as entrees, salad bars, and beverage stations, and fostering a welcoming customer service environment. This role requires open communication with the chef and management to ensure a seamless dining experience and effective coordination of staff activities.

An essential component of this position is ensuring adherence to health and sanitation standards set forth by the Health Department, alongside the college's internal food safety policies. The Food Service Worker, Lead is expected to take initiative, demonstrate leadership qualities, and assist in training or cross-training efforts as needed. The role demands strong organizational skills, time management, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams while maintaining a respectful and professional demeanor.

Physically, the position requires the ability to perform strenuous activities such as standing for prolonged periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, climbing, and other agility-related tasks, verified through a post-offer physical agility test. Candidates must possess a California food handler card and have experience in fast-paced commercial kitchen environments with supervisory background. A high school diploma or equivalent educational background is required, along with demonstrated knowledge of food sanitation policies and ability to conduct simple arithmetic related to food preparation.

Claremont McKenna College values employees who can uphold its strategic goals regarding quality on-campus food services while promoting a positive workplace culture. Professionalism in appearance is maintained through required uniforms provided by the college, and employees are subject to background checks and must comply with safety and health regulations. The college’s at-will employment policy ensures flexibility for both employer and employee concerning job status and conditions.

Overall, the Food Service Worker, Lead role at Claremont McKenna College offers a dynamic employment opportunity to contribute to a respected academic institution’s dining operations, emphasizing leadership, customer service, and compliance with health standards within a collaborative team environment.