[POOL] Catering Assistant

Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) is a public community college located in Albany, Oregon. Established with a mission to provide affordable and accessible higher education to the residents of Linn and Benton counties, LBCC offers a wide range of academic, career, and technical programs designed to empower students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their careers or continue their education at four-year institutions. The college is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that supports student success and community engagement through innovative educational programs and resources. LBCC is known for its supportive faculty and staff and its dedication to providing quality instruction and hands-on learning experiences, particularly in fields like culinary arts, where practical skills are essential.

The role of Catering Assistant within the Culinary Arts department at LBCC is a part-time, hourly position based at the Albany Campus in Albany, Oregon. This non-exempt role involves providing critical support to the college's catering services by performing a variety of food preparation and event service tasks. The hourly wage for this position is $15.57, reflecting the college's commitment to competitive and fair compensation for its workforce. As a Catering Assistant, the employee will be involved in the setup and takedown of catering events, food and beverage preparation according to customer specifications, maintaining sanitary and safe work and service areas, and providing excellent customer service.

This is a pooled position, meaning that applications are collected continuously to create a ready pool of qualified candidates. When a catering assistant job opening arises, candidates from this pool whose qualifications best match the position will be contacted for interviews. Applicants must reapply yearly to maintain their status in the pool, ensuring the college has access to a consistent slate of qualified individuals.

The Catering Assistant works collaboratively with the catering team to ensure smooth and successful catering events. Duties include setting up buffets, preparing hot and cold foods, baked goods, and beverages, cleaning preparation and service equipment, restocking supplies, and maintaining excellent communication with team members and clients. The role requires adherence to county, state, and federal health codes to ensure customer safety and compliance with regulations. Physical demands include standing for long periods, light to medium lifting, and operating kitchen equipment safely.

Candidates are expected to have a high school diploma or equivalent, a current Food Handler's card or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment, and preferably one year of food service experience along with familiarity with kitchen equipment such as knives, meat slicers, dishwashers, deep fryers, flat-top grills, convection ovens, ranges, and food processors. This position is ideal for current LBCC students or those seeking flexible, part-time employment in a supportive college environment. The Catering Assistant should possess strong customer relations skills, be capable of working independently as well as in a team, and demonstrate a high level of responsibility concerning safety and sanitation practices.

LBCC embodies inclusive hiring practices and is a Fair Chance employer, welcoming applications from individuals with varied experiences, including those with justice system involvement. Employment at the college is contingent upon a successful background check and meeting Oregon residency requirements at the time employment begins. The position provides an opportunity to contribute to an educational setting while gaining valuable experience in the culinary arts and catering industry.