The Underground - Part Time Cook

## Description
**Schedule:** This is a part-time position averaging up to 29 hours per week.

• Operating Hours: Monday through Friday; 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Preferred Shift Availability:
• 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. **OR** 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

**Why You'll Love Working Here**

At KU Dining, our mission is to create an unparalleled dining experience for our guests, foster a culture of excellence among our well-trained and empowered staff, and provide inviting spaces that reflect the warmth of the KU community. We strive to set a standard where every meal becomes a highlight of the KU experience.

Whether you're looking for supplemental income or a flexible part-time opportunity, you'll join a collaborative team that values quality, teamwork, and exceptional service.

**Position Summary**

The Part-Time Cook at The Underground located in Wescoe on KU Campus is responsible for preparing meals in accordance with daily production sheets, adhering to food safety and health standards set by HACCP and ServSafe, and maintaining a clean and sanitary workstation. This role ensures the consistent quality and presentation of food while supporting efficient kitchen operations.

**Essential Functions**

• Review and interpret daily production sheets to understand the schedule and specific requirements.
• Follow recipes meticulously to ensure consistency in flavor, presentation, and quality.
• Sample foods regularly to verify flavor, texture, and consistency while ensuring adherence to quality standards.
• Handle raw ingredients, cook foods, and store products in compliance with HACCP and ServSafe standards.
• Ensure all products are accurately labeled and stored for optimal food safety and quality.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work environment, including walls, floors, equipment, and refrigeration units.
• Clean and maintain kitchen equipment and stainless-steel appliances, ensuring Efficiently manage tasks in both hot and cold kitchen areas.
• Work effectively within a team setting to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

**Minimum Qualifications**

• High school diploma or equivalent, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read and follow recipes and production sheets.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced food service environment.
• Ability to obtain any required food safety certifications upon hire.

**Preferred Qualifications**

• Previous commercial kitchen or food service experience.
• Knowledge of HACCP and ServSafe food safety practices.
• Experience preparing food in high-volume operations.

**Working Conditions**

Work is performed primarily in a commercial kitchen environment. The position requires prolonged standing, walking, bending, reaching, and repetitive hand motions. Employees are regularly exposed to hot cooking equipment, steam, refrigeration units, wet floors, cleaning chemicals, and moderate to high noise levels.

**Physical Requirements**

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Safely operate commercial kitchen equipment.
• Perform repetitive motions while preparing food and cleaning work areas.

**Duties & Responsibilities of All KU Memorial Union Positions**

1. Adhere to University and KU Memorial Union policies and procedures.
2. Demonstrate the organization's core values and apply the seven Team Principles by aligning work with the Lines of Effort: Our People, Engaging Programs, Outstanding Service, Collaborative Partnerships, Inviting Spaces, and Budget Management.
3. Support the KU Memorial Unions End State as described by the Executive Director and uphold the department's core values of community, dignity, empowerment, excellence, innovation, and safety.
4. Follow the Seven Team Principles by demonstrating competence, building mutual trust, creating shared understanding, communicating leader intent, practicing effective written and verbal communication, exercising disciplined initiative, and managing risk.
5. Demonstrate a positive, solution-oriented attitude while contributing to a respectful and productive work environment.
6. Always exhibit professional decorum while representing the KU Memorial Unions and the University of Kansas.

## Qualifications
**Required Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:**

1. **Physical Requirements:**

• Ability to meet the physical demands of food service work, including standing for long periods, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

1. **Hygiene and Work Habits:**

• Adhere to high standards of personal hygiene and work habits.

1. **Flexibility:**

• Adapt to last-minute changes and meet the evolving needs of the food service operation.

**Required Education and Training:**

• High school diploma or equivalent.

**Preferred Qualifications:**

1. **Cooking Experience:**

• Prior cooking experience in a college or institutional setting.

1. **Equipment and Skills:**

• Knowledge of kitchen equipment operation and strong knife skills.

1. **Culinary Background:**

• Some background in food service, including classical preparation methods, knowledge of common ingredients, proper storage and rotation of products, and industry standards.

1. **Sanitation Skills:**

• Basic food service sanitation skills, with ServeSafe certification being highly desirable.

This role offers an opportunity to contribute to a dynamic kitchen environment while upholding high standards of food quality, safety, and cleanliness.

*Employment with the Union Corporation is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check before beginning work. This position is eligible for an employee referral bonus.*

*The University of Kansas Memorial Unions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the corporation’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by corporate policy.*