Culinary Assistant

At Holy Cross, we are focused on creating a world-class workforce by attracting and retaining employees dedicated to fostering a culture of professionalism, pride, mutual trust, and respect-one that values appreciation and recognition, empowering each of us to flourish both individually and collectively. We seek candidates who are inspired by our mission and values, and who are eager to make a meaningful difference on our campus. Learn more about Life at Holy Cross here.

At Holy Cross Dining, you are part of more than a food-service operation-you are an essential part of the student experience and the broader College community. Our culinary team plays an important role in creating a welcoming, connected, and enjoyable campus experience by providing high-quality meals and exceptional service to students, faculty, staff, and guests.

As a Culinary Assistant, you will contribute to an environment where every meal and interaction is an opportunity to make someone feel welcomed, valued, and connected to the Holy Cross community. You will help prepare and serve quality food while supporting a positive dining experience through hospitality, teamwork, inclusion, and service.

We are looking for team members who take pride in their work, enjoy working collaboratively, and understand that great hospitality extends beyond the food-it is about the experience we create for every member of our community.

Job Description

Holy Cross Dining staff are considered Emergency Essential Personnel and are required to report to work during times of inclement weather. Flexibility is required, and schedules may change based on departmental needs, the academic calendar, campus events, and operational requirements.

CURRENT SCHEDULE: Sunday - Thursday / 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Perform a variety of duties to support the preparation and service of meals for students, faculty, staff, and guests while contributing to a welcoming, high-quality dining experience. Responsibilities include preparing and serving food, assisting with food production, stocking and rotating products, maintaining clean and organized food production and service areas, and providing exceptional customer service in accordance with established practices, sanitation standards, and food safety requirements.

The Culinary Assistant operates a variety of food service equipment, including slicing machines, grills, fryolators, pizza ovens, stir-fry equipment, and similar tools. This position works collaboratively with students, staff, and members of the campus community to ensure efficient daily operations and a positive dining experience.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS POSITION

• Prepare and cook food items to order, ensuring adherence to established standards, recipes, and specifications.
• Follow menu and recipe guidelines precisely to maintain consistency, quality, and presentation across all food items.
• Ensure all menu items are consistently prepared, properly portioned, of the highest quality, and served at the appropriate temperatures. Accurately complete temperature log book charts.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and fully functional work area that is adequately stocked and properly rotated.
• Operate food production and service equipment safely and effectively, including slicing machines, grills, fryolators, pizza ovens, stir-fry equipment, and similar equipment.
• Supervise on-call staff, student captains/workers, and temporary employees, providing direction and support on routine tasks to promote smooth and efficient operations.
• Be adaptable and capable of working in various areas of the servery and dining operation as assigned by management.
• Provide exceptional customer service by serving guests in a friendly, professional, attentive, and welcoming manner.
• Contribute to a positive dining experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests by demonstrating hospitality, responsiveness, and a commitment to service excellence.
• Assist with the setup, service, and cleanup of catered events, ensuring all operational and service standards are met.
• Accurately complete service records and inventory data within the FoodPro system to ensure proper tracking, reporting, and inventory management.
• Demonstrate proficiency in accommodating students with special dietary restrictions and food allergies, ensuring their needs are addressed with care and attention to established food safety protocols. Seek guidance from management when questions or concerns arise.
• Understand and apply food waste management practices, including FIFO (First In, First Out), to minimize waste and maintain inventory efficiency.
• Adhere to all state and local food safety regulations, departmental policies, and established sanitation practices to ensure compliance and uphold the highest standards of food safety.
• Perform other similar or related duties as required or requested.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL HOSPITALITY EMPLOYEES

• Record all required documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Follow all chemical handling and safety guidelines according to applicable Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Provide superior customer service and demonstrate strong communication skills to create a welcoming, friendly, and professional environment for all guests.
• Offer training and support to co-workers, staff, and students where applicable.
• Follow all verbal and written instructions from managers and supervisors.
• Have the ability to frequently lift up to 25 pounds, occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, and lift up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• All staff are considered Emergency Essential Personnel and are required to report to work during times of inclement weather.
• Maintain schedule flexibility and remain aware of the academic calendar, campus events, and special event dates. Schedules may be adjusted based on operational and campus needs.
• Demonstrate initiative and innovation within the scope of the position.
• Be comfortable sharing suggestions and ideas that support process improvements, operational efficiency, and an enhanced dining experience.
• Comply with all safety and risk management practices, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrate the ability to succeed in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail.
• Communicate with guests, co-workers, and other members of the College community with professionalism, courtesy, and respect.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the department's core values in daily work and interactions.
• Adhere to the uniform standards applicable to the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Up to two years of related work experience preferred.
• Ability to frequently lift up to 25 pounds, occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, and lift up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• ServSafe Food Safety Certification or training is required. If certification or training is not current, it must be completed within 3-6 months of the date of hire.
• Food allergy training is essential. Prior experience preparing meals for individuals with food allergies or special dietary needs is preferred. Candidates without prior experience must complete the required training upon hire. Initial training will include a review of program information, departmental responsibilities, and the Food Allergy Program.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills are required to provide a welcoming, professional, and safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests.
• Required annual training includes Title IX Harassment Training and Security Awareness Training.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of students, staff, faculty, and guests while maintaining a positive and service-oriented approach.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Inclusion: Actively engaging with the values of the College by promoting a work environment that embraces diversity and demonstrating respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.

Innovation: Performing one's job with creativity and proactivity, improving procedures and problem-solving.

Mission/Service Orientation: Focusing on service to others and contributing to the College's collective mission.

Responsibility: Taking ownership of one's actions and accountability for one's tasks and duties.

Collaboration: Exchanging information, ideas, and thoughts with others in a manner that is proactive and enhances partnerships.

DISCLAIMER

The description above represents the most significant duties of this position but does not exclude other occasional work assignments not mentioned, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the factor degrees assigned.

Salary: The hourly rate for the Culinary Assistant position is $18.00 per hour.

Weekly Hours:

40

Annual Work Schedule:

(For Seasonal and Temporary Positions, this will be determined by the manager)

Application Instructions

For all administrative and academic positions, please upload a current resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please reflect on how your professional and personal values align with the Mission of the College.

For all other positions, resume and cover letters are optional, but your most up-to-date work experience and educational background are required.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, priority consideration will be given to applications submitted within 30 days of the posting date.

Additional Information

To review our generous benefits options, please review our detailed information here or check out our Benefits at a Glance.

The College also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the hiring process in compliance with law. Please contact Human Resources for questions or to request an accommodation via email at hr@holycross.edu, or by calling 508-793-3391.

The College is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and complies with all Federal and Massachusetts laws concerning Equal Opportunity in the workplace.

The College does not provide immigration sponsorship for staff positions. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.