Career Center

Dining Services is a self-operated dining program which consists of Residential Dining, Catering, and three Retail Locations. We are proud to offer our students, faculty, and staff a diverse menu made from high quality ingredients which are sourced locally whenever possible. We are a team of 110 individuals who come from various backgrounds and ethnicities. If you are passionate about food and have great customer service, this is the place you want to work! We pride ourselves in offering our team a work-life balance not typically found in the restaurant industry. We hope you will apply and be with us when we move into our state-of-the-art Dining Center in the Fall of 2022.

As a member of the Dining Services department, the Culinary Assistant will work in any of the following stations depending on the schedule or need of the department roles: grill cook, grill assistant, salad prep, deli, pizza cook. Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, having a passion for food, enjoying being part of an energetic team and the opportunity to make a difference in the student’s dining experience on Swarthmore’s campus.

Possess exceptional customer service skills and have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Able to work independently and as part of a team. This person is able to prioritize and multitask. Prepare grilled food, deli meats, salad bar items and catering foods in accordance with the instructions, specifications and recipes provided. Prepare and provide food in a safe and timely manner. Required to have knowledge of cooking temperatures and knowledge of operating grill equipment and must keep the work area clean and sanitized at all times.

Essential Responsibilities:
• Provides prompt, efficient, and friendly service to a diverse clientele.
• Perform start up duties. Plug in and turn on all cooking equipment, which include grill, oven, toasters, and fryers. Set to proper temperatures.
• Foods/ingredients that need to be grilled or cooked are properly laid out, cut, cubed, and sliced according to specified requirements.
• Be sure food items are appropriately thawed prior to using.
• Manage inventory of food supplies.
• Understand all menu items and prepare these items according to recipes and item specifications.
• Prepares grilled items according to customer’s specifications.
• Must be able to use the grill to its full capacity. Must be able to cook and manage many orders at the same time while maintaining consistency and quality.
• Manage portions of grilled food items.
• Must be aware of production needed across all areas including grill, salad bar, deli, pizza catering and residential dining. This includes daily specials in these areas.
• Prioritize and complete multiple concurrent tasks.
• Ensure refrigeration and rotation of food items.
• Maintain a clean and sanitized work area in accordance with the operations cleanliness standards. Assists in cleaning all areas of the operation including light pot washing and using the dish machine.
• Prepares hot and cold sandwiches, wraps and pizzas neatly and in a timely manner according to the appropriate procedure and specifications
• Memorizes and understands all menu items and prepares these items according to recipes and item specifications.

Additional Responsibilities:
• Assist in setting up Bain Marie's and salad bars and make sure that you have the appropriate amount of backup ingredients as stated by using established par levels. Label tops of containers that contain fresh ingredients with name of product, date and initial.
• Makes cold sandwiches according to the appropriate procedure.
• Performs other assignments as directed by a Supervisor or Manager.

Required Qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent
• 2 years grill experience in high volume food establishment.
• Communicate clearly

Preferred Qualifications:
• High school diploma
• 3-5 years culinary experience in high-volume food establishment
• Serv safe certified

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.