Sr. Food Service Worker (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 salary or hourly range for this position is $21.48/hr. - $25.17/hr. Please note the realized minimum pay for this position will be $25/hr., steps less than $25/hr. will include an additional amount elevating to $25/hr.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around September 8, 2025. 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 one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

Under supervision, incumbents perform semi-skilled food preparation, serving and general maintenance duties in a kitchen or dining area. Incumbents may serve in a lead capacity over a small group of Food Service Workers (typically less than 5 full-time-equivalent employees). The Senior Food Service Worker differs from the Food Service Worker in that the duties performed usually require previous experience or training in food preparation, serving and general maintenance in a kitchen or dining area, and also require greater knowledge of the complexities of the area serviced.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FOOD SERVICE PREPARATION, SERVICE, CLEANING AND STOCKING

• Incumbents serve food on a cafeteria steam line or in a dining area with portion control responsibility.
• May prepare desserts and/or salads to be served in a cafeteria or dining room operation.
• Perform cold food preparation including, but not limited to: cutting, slicing, chopping, peeling and preparation of sandwiches, salads and variety of express to go meals.
• As assigned, perform hot food preparation including, but not limited to reheating, baking, steaming and roasting.
• Assemble & heat food as requested by customer orders or production needs using various kitchen equipment.
• Prepare dressings, soups, sauces, gravies, salads, desserts.
• Works with perishable products inspecting for freshness and safety during production, service and storage.
• Adjusts refrigeration and heating techniques to ensure products remain safe for consumption.
• Identifies problem areas and brings to the attention of the supervisor.
• In a diet kitchen incumbents prepare special orders under close supervision of a dietitian.
• Prepares food items for catered events or special meals. Ensures that items meet the client's needs.
• As general maintenance workers, dish machine attendants, pot and pan machine attendants, incumbents perform a wider variety of duties than is typical of the entry level, with less supervision, and greater responsibility for the maintenance of the, equipment used.
• Wash & restock pots, pans, food preparation bowls & dishes following HACCP guidelines.
• Perform a full range of kitchen cleaning & organizing tasks.
• Perform a full range of kitchen cleaning tasks.
• Use hand tools, sweep, mop, dust, polish silverware, vacuum, & wash equipment & dishes & areas of the facility.
• Stock front of the house and back of the house and execute dining room attendant duties as assigned.
• Bus dishes, food, and trash byproduct as needed from dining area.
• Clean and sanitize tables.
• May supervise Food Service Workers in the performance of food preparation duties and in the maintenance of sanitation and safety standards in a campus kitchen.
• Provide training and support to less experienced staff.
• Guide, delegate & assign a wide range of tasks to student assistants.
• Maintain general security of the Unit food, equipment & supplies.
• Offer guidance to food service workers and/or student workers.
• Staff training in food production and sanitation.
• Serves on interview committees as needed.
• Assures that standards for freshness and quality of product are consistently met.
• Assures that food service worker and/or student staff is utilizing appropriate cleaning agents for each job.
• Assists in assigning specific jobs to food service worker and/or student staff throughout the shift, keeping staff on task and able to meet multiple deadlines.

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.

CUSTOMER SERVICES AND 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.

EDUCATION and REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma and/or equivalent certification/experience/training.
• Six months of experience in food preparation and general maintenance in a kitchen or dining area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous Food Handler Certification (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Experience following production schedules within specified timelines.
• Customer service experience to cooperate with public and other staff members and convey a helpful, positive attitude.
• Skill to use proper tools or material to perform a full range of general kitchen cleaning tasks.
• Experience using standard industrial custodial and kitchen cleaning equipment.
• Knowledge to maintain a sanitary, safe and organized personal work area using specified cleaning materials and solutions.
• Skill to guide a wide range of tasks to student assistants and kitchen support staff.
• Skill to differentiate products' composition, biodegradability, nutrition, etc.
• 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.
• 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, handling broken glass and 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 certified, company-approved program in Sanitation/Food Borne Illness prevention within 90 days from date of hire.

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.

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; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
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.

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/