Culinary Specialist

Culinary Specialist

Salary

$18.74 - $23.43 Hourly

Location

700 W State Street, Milwaukee, WI

Job Type

Full-Time - School Year

Job Number

2026-05754

Division

Retention & Completion

Department

Food Services

Opening Date

10/06/2026

Closing Date

10/25/2026 10:00 PM Central

Application Requirements

Candidates (both internal and external) must complete the employment application in its entirety.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under the direction of Food Services Leadership, performs food service duties throughout unit including but not limited to: set-up and preparation of food and beverages. Performs cashiering duties; dish washing; kitchen equipment cleaning and maintenance. The successful candidate will be skilled in high-volume scratch and demonstration cooking, and the ability to respectfully lead staff on timely completion of daily tasks.

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsins largest and most diverse technical college, offering 170+ high-quality programs that connect students to a career in as little as one to two years. The college also offers a less expensive path to a four-year degree. MATC is transforming lives, industry and our community by preparing students today for the careers of tomorrow. Together, we are meeting the needs of the community we share and are focused on students with the greatest needs. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team who shares the same passion in serving this purpose. Learn more about MATC at www.matc.edu.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs and coordinates large volume of food prep including but not limited to: cleaning, peeling, cutting vegetables, mixing ingredients, entree preparation and display cooking.

• Assists in the planning of menus within budget requirements including generating new menu ideas to grow sales.

• Respectfully designates tasks as needed to Culinary Assistants and Student Workers to ensure timely completion of daily production needs.

• Review vendor invoices and inventory transfers daily to assure accuracy in the charges to the units.

• Completes inventories and requisitions, as required, for the appropriate amounts of food and supplies as projected by supply and demand to maintain appropriate cost.

• Coaches and trains fellow staff in kitchen and serving areas to apply proper equipment use, procedures, techniques while providing constructive feedback to enhance learning opportunities in food preparation and sanitation practices.

• Operates cash register, cash handling, separate account charges, maintains cash register closing cash deposit variance of one percent or less on a regular basis. May be required to reconcile daily deposits.

• Ability to follow recipes and retrieve recipe(s) from electronic data base.

• Practices honesty by demonstrating a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles, values, truthfulness and accuracy in all actions.

• Evaluates and maintains sanitary conditions in the food service area including but not limited to dishwashing, cleaning and maintenance of equipment.

• Plans and coordinates the utilization of leftover foods, including refrigeration and storage.

• Replaces and rotates stock regularly on a daily basis.

• Establishes, maintains, and enhances positive work relationships with staff, faculty, and administrators.

• Provides customer service excellence while addressing students, faculty and staff concerns and complaints and performs problem resolution.

• Relays orders and messages as required.

• Anticipates needs to produce recipes and order inventory to meet demand requirements.

• Collaborates in the instruction of culinary students.

• Performs other related duties within the scope of the position as required for the efficient operation of the division and to support institutional objectives.

Qualifications

Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirements, as well as all MATC policies and procedures.

Required Education & Experience: High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalency and Three (3) years of experience in quantity food preparation, one (1) of which must have been in area of specialization in related area

Required License/Certification: Serve Safe certification within thirty days of hire as required by Federal/State Food Code.

Competencies The ideal candidate cultivates innovation, optimizes work processes, ensures accountability, collaborates effectively, demonstrates interpersonal savvy, communicates effectively, instills trust, maintains a customer focus, is action-oriented, values differences, prioritizes self-development, and shows compassion.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the use of a variety of commercial kitchen equipment.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of knife cuts, cooking techniques, sauce making, and vegetable preparation.
• Knowledge and understanding of large volume food production standards as well as the ability to produce small quantity fine dining options.
• Knowledge of personal hygiene and sanitation standards and the ability to maintain these standards.
• Skilled at basic math functions and applications as it applies to culinary math and recipe scaling.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and make independent decisions when required.
• Ability to lift, push, pull or carry objects.
• Ability to utilize excellent customer services skills in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships with MATC staff, faculty, students, representatives from outside agencies, business community and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written means representing degree of professionalism expected of leadership.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, and as a team member.
• Ability to access and disseminate information using computers and proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, the ability to complete online mandatory in-services
• Ability to multi-task, work independently and manage time efficiently.
• Ability to assign, coordinate and direct work of assigned food service personnel ensuring task completion and informs management of discrepancies and resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment.

Physical demands include the ability to lift up to 25 lbs., carry and push up to 20 lbs., and pull up to 50 lbs. Must be able to climb stairs and a ladder, maintain balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, hear, and speak. The position requires sitting 50% of the time, standing 25% of the time, and walking 25% of the time.

Supplemental Information

Hours This position is a fulltime 43-week 1.0 FTE, or 40 hours per work week. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7am- 3:30pm.

Compensation listed up to the midpoint of the range and placement is determined based on years of experience, internal salary equity, and a review of the applicants employment and educational background as listed on the job application.

Application Materials & Requirements:

1. Complete the Employment Application

Applicants (both internal and external) must complete the employment application in its entirety for consideration. You must provide thorough and detailed information for all sections of the application form. An incomplete application will not be considered.

EEO: Milwaukee Area Technical College will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation for the application process, please contact our office at 414-297-6529 (Wisconsin Relay System: 711) or email jobs@matc.edu.

Health Insurance

• MATC offers a choice between two medical insurance plans. See below for plan types:
• Low Deductible PPO
• High Deductible PPO

Upon selection, the coverage begins the first of the month following start date. You will have 30 days from your start date to enroll. MATC contributes a generous percentage towards medical insurance premium. Both medical plans include prescription drug coverage at no additional cost to employees. Employees are offered an option to enroll in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with the selection of the Low Deductible PPO plan. Employees are offered an option to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) with the selection of the High Deductible PPO plan with employer contributions.

Dental Insurance

• MATC offers a group dental plan through Delta Dental.
• Upon selection, the dental insurance plan coverage begins the first of the month following start date.
• Annual maximum per covered person is $2,500; plan covers preventive, routine, restoration, and has an orthodontic benefit for dependents up to age 19.

Vision Insurance

• MATC offers a group vision plan through Superior Vision..Upon selection, the vision insurance plan coverage begins the first of the month following start date.
• Plan covers eye exam, frames, lenses and contact lenses.

Group Life Insurance

• MATC offers group term life insurance benefits through Madison National Life Insurance Company effective the first of the month of start date and is fully paid for by the College. The amount of insurance is based upon the employee's annual earnings rounded to the higher $1,000.00. The benefit is doubled in the event of accidental death.
• Supplemental Life Insurance is also available at group rates for employees, spouses, and dependents to purchase.

Long-Term Disability

• MATC offers long-term disability insurance through Madison National Life Company after 30 days of employment and is fully paid for by the College. Benefits provided are equal to 66 2/3% of base monthly earnings.

Flexible Spending Accounts

• MATC offers two types of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA):
• Health Care FSA
• Dependent Care FSA

This type of benefit allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars per calendar year for a variety of medical, dental, and vision expenses (for a Health Care FSA) and for day care expenses for children under 13 or family members that are dependent on you for more than half their support (for a Dependent Care FSA) up to a maximum amount.

Retirement Savings

• Regular full-time employees of MATC who are hired for greater than 12 months become members of the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)'s pension system as of day one of employment. The College currently pays the full cost of the employer contribution (6.9%), and the employee pays the full part of the employee contribution of 6.9% of salary. There is a five year vesting period requirement in order to qualify for any employer contributions made on the employees behalf. Contribution rates are subject to change annually as set by the State.
• In addition to the WRS pension account, employees may enroll in other optional retirement savings plan such as a 403(b) account or a 457 account on a pre-tax or post-tax basis.

Sick Leave

• MATC offers employees a generous sick leave plan per year.
• Each employee may accumulate up to 165 days of full sick leave with an unlimited accumulation of half pay sick leave.

Vacation

• MATC offers a vacation policy to employees for the purpose of rest and relaxation.
• Vacation is earned at a generous rate each year of employment. (Not available for Instructors)

Paid & Flexible (Floating) Holidays

• MATC offers 12 paid holidays for non-Faculty positions and 7 paid holidays for Faculty positions.
• MATC provides two flexible (floating) holidays per employee per year. (Not available for Instructors).

Tuition Benefits:

• Employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement and waiver after completing probationary period.
• Amount allowed per fiscal year is 18 credits at MATC or $1,400 at other accredited institutions.

01

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Some College, No Degree
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate or PhD
• Professional Certification or License without a degree
• None of the above

Required Question

Employer Milwaukee Area Technical College

Address 700 W. State

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53203

Phone 414-297-6529

Website http://www.matc.edu