Assistant Cook (Limited Pool)

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 Step 1: 18.90 – Step 10: 22.59.  The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is Step 1: $18.90/hr. 

Review of applications will occur as openings become available. Candidates will be selected for temporary employment in various departments as positions become available. This position is reopened every six months so please re-apply if you remain interested in the position. This position will close on 6/30/2024.

These union positions are represented by the bargaining unit AFSCME: Service – SX . 

Please note: These are temporary positions. 

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: Dependent on openings. 

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.
In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.
To set the course of UC Merced’s evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward 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 within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.

Under supervision, incumbents perform sub-journeyman level food preparation duties. Assistant Cooks performfood preparation duties in a kitchen of a campus hospital, residence hall, restaurant or cafeteria; and performother related duties as required. Position is one of multiple Assistant Cook positions responsible for preparing,cookingand 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 & sauces, soups, breads, desserts & 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 & Professional Communication:  Interact with internal & external customers by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm & integrity. Convey welcoming attitude. Greet customers. Interact pleasantly. Anticipate Customer needs. Display a positive demeanor. Participate in production & unit/departmental meetings, workshops & conferences regularly. Ensure 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 & attentiveness exhibit a high level of helpfulness, commitment & customer service. Encourage collaboration & problem solving with co-workers.

Safety & Sanitation:  Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Keep work area clean & debris free. Identify & correct hazards. Set-up/clean equipment, work tables, sinks & drains in kitchen areas at beginning & end of 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 food borne 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 job. Scrape out containers, use byproducts (leftovers/scraps) for soup, print double sided, follow production flow plans. Wash pots, pans, food preparation bowls and dishes. Perform 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 EXPERIENCE

• Ability to read, write and perform basic arithmetic calculations.
• Two years of experience in food preparation and general maintenance of a kitchen area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• High school diploma or equivalent.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Background check and fingerprinting will be 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 [email protected].

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/