COOK SR (Lead Cook)

Department Purpose

Student Housing and Dining Services (SHDS) is a self-supporting auxiliary that provides housing and dining services to approximately 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and students with families who live in on-campus residential facilities (university owned/managed and Public-Private-Partnerships), as well as providing residential, retail and catering dining services for the campus community. SHDS also provides student support and conference housing services to the campus and general community. For more information about SHDS visit our website at http://www.housing.ucdavis.edu .

Student Housing and Dining Services has adopted the following Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement:

·         Student Housing and Dining Services is committed to serving the needs of students, staff, faculty and guests from various backgrounds and identities. In full support of our institutional commitment to embrace diversity and practice inclusive excellence, we expect every member of our community to acknowledge, value, and uphold the guidelines set forth in the Principles of Community. As a community of scholars and life-long learners, we commit ourselves to learning together about our differences and commonalities while growing in all areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Job Summary

Under supervision of Unit Chef and Sous Chefs, serve as lead to a diverse group of employees to meet customer service, food quality, sanitation, and safety standards. Guide, delegate, and assign a wide range of tasks to Career and Student employees. Cook all food assigned to standards of excellent taste, quality & appearance. Prepare food from scratch including entrees, starches, vegetables, gravies & sauces, soups, breads, desserts, etc. Work independently preparing entrees & following recipes & menus & batch cooking guidelines without direction. Ensure all items are prepared on time with designated presentation. Monitor cost control by using professional techniques with regards to food production, portion control, utilizing leftover food items, recognizing safety, budget & quality factors & tracking food usage using daily report. Maintain unit standards for product quality, service, cleanliness, communication, training & work order flow. Prepare menus for special events. Provide training to staff. Continuously monitor & receive customer orders, read tickets, monitor ticket times, communicate when assistance is needed. Review on hand levels & communicate facility needs. Receive & review incoming shipments, & confirm quality & safety of product, as well as accurate product delivery & invoicing. Complete assigned inventory for facility in an accurate & timely fashion. Provide guidance & support to other cooks through training, delegation of duties, & decision making. Be a solution-oriented leader to direct or fill vacancies/absences in various areas/tasks normally filled by alternate staff. Model culinary & customer service department wide expectations. Interact with internal & external customers by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm & integrity. Convey welcoming attitude. Ensure positive guest experience by accommodating special requests & making suggestions. Keep work area clean & debris free. Identify & correct hazards. Set-up/clean equipment, worktables, sinks & drains at beginning & end of shift. Ensure compliance with State & Federal Sanitation Guidelines. Wash pots, pans, food preparation bowls & dishes. Perform full range of kitchen cleaning.

POSITION INFORMATION

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

•  Lifting requirements - Up to 50 Pounds (Medium) - Frequently

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• THIS IS A PARTIAL-YEAR CAREER POSITION:
• Employee will be scheduled to work an average 70% annually. This position is subject to furlough (June-September and could be scheduled up to 90 days) and curtailment periods (spring and winter holiday breaks where operations are suspended up to 21 days due to the academic calendar).
• Work flexible/variable schedule/location or unit (sometimes in excess of scheduled shift) including occasional overtime, evenings/nights, weekends and holidays, occasionally on short notice to meet operational needs. Vacation may be limited during peak operational times.
• Use Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] such as hot mitts, safety shoes, goggles and cut resistant gloves.
• Work in areas where there is frequent contact with residents and guests and that can be hot, cold, dusty, wet and/or smelly.
• The Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment policy is intended to provide a healthier, safer, and more productive work and learning environment for the entire UC community. The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all University owned or leased properties, or facilities operated by UC staff or faculty. Smoking and tobacco use are strictly prohibited in indoor and outdoor spaces, parking lots, residential space, and University vehicles. https://ucdavispolicy.ellucid.com/documents/view/271

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education/Experience:           

• Experience providing excellent customer service in a fast-paced food environment.
• Culinary experience in a fast-paced food production environment to prepare complex recipes.
• Experience training, leading, and monitoring support staff in a cooking and service environment.
• Experience with varying culinary techniques, including but not limited to sautéing, grilling, frying, steaming, and preparing sauces and stocks.
• Experience to taste and discern product quality, read, and interpret recipes and menus, estimate ingredient requirements, monitor production, and keep records.
• Experience maintaining a sanitary, safe and organized personal work area, checking food temperatures following food & physical safety guidelines.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) :

• Skills to communicate in English, both orally and in written form to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and interact effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and guests.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Education/Experience:            

• Culinary experience in a commercial food environment. Cooking regional cuisines and accommodating dietary needs. Reading, interpreting, and delivering food product based on customer orders.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) :

• 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.
• Knowledge of UC policies and procedures.
• Problem solving skills to troubleshoot problems as they arise, find alternate solutions, and implement solutions in a professional and efficient manner.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Background Check

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re solving life’s most urgent challenges to bring a fuller, healthier, and more resilient world within reach. We grow from every challenge we take on and we don’t just maintain - we improve. We recognize that creating an inclusive and intellectually vibrant organization means understanding and valuing both our individual differences and our common ground. The most comprehensive solutions come from the most diverse minds, and you belong here. As you consider joining UC Davis, please explore our Principles of Community , our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education, and our latest efforts to outgrow the expected . The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20 . 

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination .