Lead Dining Customer Service Assistant

This role is an academic year position.

Shift: Thursday and Friday OFF. Sunday - Wednesday; 1:30 PM - 10:00 PM, Saturday; 1:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Tufts Dining is a self-operated food service provider managing a comprehensive collegiate food service program on the Tufts University Medford-Somerville and SMFA/Fenway campus, delivering high quality, contemporary and innovative food, and hospitality services to meet the various needs of students, staff, faculty, administrators, and visitors in a fiscally responsible manner. Our team provides a progressive resident dining program as well as innovative retail services, and a distinctive university catering program serving a campus community comprised
of 6600 undergraduates, 2100 graduate students, and 2300 staff, faculty and administrators.

Dining Centers are open 7 days a week. Working weekends, evenings and holidays is expected.

The Lead Dining Customer Service Assistant (Lead CSA) works closely with management, acting as a shift leader, delegating, coordinating, and following up on the work of all food service employees on assigned shifts.

• The Lead DSA is responsible for serving guests in a variety of ways including but not limited to serving food/beverages, preparing and presenting foods for service including occasional light cooking and prep, stocking food and supplies as needed, maintaining the appearance and utility of food service stations and the dining room, cashiering, general cleaning and housekeeping, executing opening and closing procedures and all other assignments related to delivering an outstanding customer experience.
• The Lead DSA engages in job specific training and coaching of front-of-house staff.
• The Lead DSA personally and through others addresses the needs of high volume and internal/external customers while maintaining excellent customer service.
• The Lead DSA is able to handle cash appropriately and operate the department POS system.
• The Lead DSA is able to teach others to operate the system.
• In addition, the Lead DSA may be responsible for counting cash drawers and preparing deposits according to procedure and audit safely, if applicable.
• The Lead DSA follows opening and closing procedures.
• The Lead DSA teaches and coaches service employees to work various stations within the unit.
• The Lead DSA ensures all workstations and dining areas are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to closing out a shift.
• The Lead DSA ensures all equipment and supplies are properly stocked at each station.
• The Lead DSA is assigned to work at all service stations and catering events, when applicable.
• The Lead DSA executes other duties in the unit as needed in support of the operation.
• The Lead DSA displays strong leadership skills independently and as a team, overseeing a team of staff within the unit.
• The Lead DSA promotes safe work habits throughout the operation, evaluating accidents and observing work processes.
• The Lead DSA is knowledgeable about ingredients and preparation methods of foods served, especially with regards to the presence of potential allergens.
• The Lead DSA demonstrates the ability to work under periods of fast-pace and high pressure.
  • All employees are responsible for punching in and out in accordance with department policy and standards.
  • All employees must be given permission from a manager to punch in early or stay past their schedule "out time".
  • "All employees must adhere to the posted schedule and all requests for time off are granted based on business needs.
  • In accordance with the CBA, schedules will be posted 14 days (excludes catering) in advance.
  • Time off requests must follow proper procedure and may be approved or denied in accordance with department business needs.
  • No request will be honored for Senior Week, Holidays, Alumni and Parent's Weekend, Commencement, Orientation, Matriculation, or Special Events during the Academic Year.

Basic Requirements:

• 1-3 years' experience as a lead server, sandwich maker, pizza maker, grill cook or in other dining services positions is required
• Must be able to count money, make change, and operate POS systems
• Must be able to learn and operate the labeling system
• Must possess excellent people skills and be able to effectively coach others
• Tufts Dining is a hospitality-oriented service provider; all employees are expected to be customer service sensitive
• This successful individual must have experience in high-volume foodservice operations.
• Must read, speak, and understand English and have a working knowledge of basic food service math
• A collaborator who is willing to be held accountable for the quality of products produced by others, for meeting tight deadlines, and for contributing to the success of the operation
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of kitchen sanitation and food safety practices and ability to enforce safe food handling guidelines
• Mandatory Certificates and Licenses, when applicable to the unit:
  • High School Diploma
  • Valid Driver's license and be comfortable driving a Cargo Van

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior leadership experience is preferred
• Experience utilizing computers for work
• ServSafe Food Handling Certified, ServSafe Alcohol Certified, Choke Saver Certified, Allergen Certified

The pay rate for this position is $26.95 / hour.