Assistant Cook (On-site)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $20.05 - $23.97. The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is Step 1: $20.05/hr.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around November 12, 2024. Posting will remain open until filled.

This union position is represented by the bargaining unit AFSCME: Service - SX.

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position is fully on-site.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

Under supervision, incumbents perform sub-journeyman-level food preparation duties. Assistant Cooks perform food preparation duties in the kitchen of a campus hospital, residence hall, restaurant, or cafeteria and perform other related duties as required. The position is one of multiple Assistant Cook positions responsible for preparing, cooking, and serving meals in a production, platform, or demonstration setting throughout the dining room. This position functions at the sub-journeyman level, interacting and attending to their requests as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FOOD PREPARATION

• Cook all food assigned to standards of excellent taste, quality & appearance.
• With guidance, prepares entrees & following recipes, menu cycles, and/or batch cooking guidelines.
• Prepare food from scratch, including entrees, starches, vegetables, gravies and sauces, soups, breads, desserts, and other dishes.
• Incumbents prepare vegetables and other foods for cooking
• Prepare salad dressings, special salads, cold plate sandwich ingredients, hors d'oeuvres for meals
• Ensure all items are prepared & served on time with designated presentation & flavor standards.
• May prepare short orders e.g., on the grill in a cafeteria.
• May prepare special sauces and gravies.
• May reconstitute "convenience foods" according to standardized procedures.
• Multi-task and perform pre & post-production responsibilities.
• Prepare menus for catered events or special meals.
• Guide, delegate & assign a wide range of tasks to student assistants.

CUSTOMER SERVICES AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION

• Interact with internal & external customers by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm & integrity.
• Convey a welcoming attitude.
• Greet customers.
• Interact pleasantly.
• Anticipate Customer needs.
• Display a positive demeanor.
• Participate in production & unit/departmental meetings, workshops & conferences regularly.
• Ensure a positive guest experience by accommodating special requests & making suggestions.
• Listen carefully to customers concerns/questions & answer appropriately.
• Act professionally; ensure that message, tone, body language and attentiveness exhibit a high level of helpfulness, commitment & customer service. Encourage collaboration and problem-solving with co-workers.

SAFETY & SANITATION

• Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Keep work area clean & debris-free.
• Identify & correct hazards.
• Set up and clean equipment, work tables, sinks, and drains in kitchen areas at the beginning and end of each shift.
• Ensure compliance with State & Federal Sanitation Guidelines.
• Use appropriate cleaning agents to perform general kitchen maintenance.
• Notify management of maintenance problems.
• Independently safely use, assemble, disassemble & train others to use kitchen equipment following University Dining Services standards.
• Ensures that food quality and safety guidelines are maintained to achieve the highest public health standards and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
• Records daily HACCP time and temperature logs.
• Adheres to HACCP guidelines to ensure practices are in continued compliance with State and Federal Sanitation Guidelines.
• In conjunction with Unit Management, monitors kitchen facilities, property, and staff for safety and security.
• Oversees staff in utilizing appropriate cleaning agents for assigned jobs.
• Scrape out containers, use byproducts (leftovers/scraps) for soup, print double-sided, and follow production flow plans.
• Wash pots, pans, food preparation bowls, and dishes.
• Perform the full range of kitchen cleaning.
• Use hand tools, polish silverware & wash equipment and dishes.
• Sweep & mop stains/spillage.

SUSTAINABILITY

• Sort waste for recycling & pre/post-consumer composting.
• Share sustainability knowledge.
• Maintain security of Unit equipment and supplies.
• Empty trash & recycling receptacles.
• Maintain adequate supply closets.

EDUCATION and REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma and/or equivalent certification/experience/training.
• High School Diploma, General Equivalency Degree (GED), or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or equivalent.
• Two years of experience in food preparation and general maintenance of a kitchen area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous Food Handler Certification. (Preferred)
• Must maintain a valid CA Driver's License.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to read, write and perform basic arithmetic calculations.
• Excellent customer service skills to cooperate with public and other staff members and convey a helpful, positive attitude.
• Interpersonal skills to work effectively with and provide excellent customer service to a diverse campus community.
• Communication skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Culinary experience and/or equivalent training in a high-volume, industrial culinary environment.
• Experience with culinary techniques, including but not limited to sauteing, grilling, frying, steaming, and preparing sauces and stocks.
• Preferred
• Skill to taste and discern product quality, read and interpret recipes and menus, estimate ingredient requirements, check production, and keep records to plan production requirements and request supplies and equipment accurately.
• Skill to prepare complex recipes and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of cuisines from varying customer bases, including Regional American, Asian, Italian and Mexican, Vegetarian, Vegan.
• Ability to work with Nutrition Services and execute culinary and nutritional requirements for special diets (vegan, gluten-free, kosher, etc.).
• Skill to check recipes, recognize problems and make corrections as needed.
• Skill to guide a wide range of tasks to student assistants and kitchen support staff. (Lead food service workers).
• Skill to differentiate products' composition, biodegradability, nutrition, etc.
• Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot problems as they arise, find alternate solutions, and implement solutions in a professional and efficient manner.
• Knowledge of proper procedures for lifting and handling broken glass and the skill to use wet floor signs when mopping floors or cleaning up spills.
• Skill to verify proper concentration of sanitized solution using test strips.
• Successful completion of Sanitation/Food Borne Illness prevention (HACCP) within 90 days of start, annual renewal.

Background check required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.