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University of California - Santa Cruz

Dining Cook

University of California - Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, us, 95061

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Job Overview Position: Cook (COOK 005523) Employment Classification: Partial Year Career, Furlough to be determined and details to be discussed at the interview Job End Date: None Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus Schedule: Full-time, Fixed, 100% of time, 40 hours per week, Days of the Week and Shift Includes to be determined and discussed at the interview

Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans

UC Retirement Plans

Group Term Life Insurance

Legal Insurance

Pet Insurance

Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave

Meal Allowance

How to Apply For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

Application materials are routed to the hiring team for consideration until the Initial Review Date (IRD) of 11‑18‑2025. Applications submitted after the IRD are still encouraged to apply as they may be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team.

Initial Review Date (IRD) All application materials submitted by 11:59 PM on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. Applicant materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf.

About UC Santa Cruz UC Santa Cruz is a public university combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It is known for its unconventional campus culture and beautiful surroundings.

Department Overview Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services (CHES) is a multi‑funded organization within the Division of Student Affairs and Success. CHES provides leadership in college student life, residential services, housing services, dining services, conference services, early education services, and business and financial analysis.

Position Details Under the general supervision of managers and/or the direction of higher level cooks, the incumbent prepares food appropriate to the level of skills of a Cook. The Cook prepares assigned recipes for residence hall meals and other events, providing the highest quality of service to the customers. May assume a leadership role in the kitchen by organizing and directing production staff for meal service. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Appointment Information Budgeted Salary: $25.25/hr Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits Employee Classification: Partial Year Career, Furlough to be determined and details to be discussed at the interview

Job Duties Food Production (60%)

Prepares assigned menu items following recipes and production sheets for all meals.

Follows HACCP principles of food preparation, safety, and sanitation.

Merchandises food including garnishing for serving presentation.

Participates in ongoing customer service programs, including just in time cooking, demonstration cooking, and interaction with customers.

Completes service records at end of meal period or shift.

Prepares food from scratch, including entrees, starches, vegetables, gravies, sauces, soups, breads, desserts, and other dishes.

Quality Assurance (15%)

Performs taste tests for quality and distributes prepared food at correct temperatures prior to service.

Frequently checks service line to ensure quality control and HACCP standards are met.

Stores leftover food properly and makes recommendations for planned usage of leftovers.

Safety and Sanitation (15%)

Ensures the cleanliness, safety, and sanitation of designated storage and work areas, kitchen equipment, and utensils.

Cleans equipment, work tables, sinks, and drains in kitchen areas.

Assists with cleanliness of tables, chairs, and self‑service areas as directed.

Sweeps, mops, and vacuums floors in dining and kitchen areas as directed.

Instructs and directs kitchen staff as needed.

Other Dining Responsibilities (10%)

May instruct and direct the work of other staff to specified meal requirements.

May train, instruct, and direct other staff.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in a variety of cooking techniques and recipes for food preparation in a large dining services program.

Knowledge of how to prepare sauces, soups, vegetables, baked products, and entrees.

Experience in increasingly complex levels of cooking in a large food service environment or equivalent education and experience.

Communication skills and ability to direct other staff work and provide training to less experienced staff.

Ability to interact with customers and take orders for display cooking or other special events.

Knowledge of appropriate temperature requirements for safe serving, handling, and storage of food.

Knowledge of how to safely operate a variety of kitchen equipment in a production kitchen.

Knowledge of safety techniques and procedures for food preparation, storage, and service.

Knowledge of merchandising and presentation techniques of food service.

Ability to taste and discern product quality, read and understand recipes and menus, accurately estimate ingredient requirements, check production, and keep records in order to accurately plan production requirements and requisition supplies and equipment.

Ability to prepare complex recipes of a complexity appropriate to the job title and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team‑based environment.

Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse groups.

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual in Spanish/English, or willingness to learn.

Special Conditions of Employment

Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre‑employment criminal history background check.

Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.

Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.

Ability to move equipment up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.

All employees must be able to pass the UCSC Dining Food Handler Card test within 90 days of employment, or already be in possession of a California Food Handler Card or ServSafe certification upon hire.

Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed, including UC compliance training.

The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

Misconduct includes violations of policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment.

For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Safety Statement All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

Notice of Availability In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://compliance.ucsc.edu/campus-safety-compliance/annual-reports/.

EEO/AA The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti‑discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

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