Food Services Specialist
Centralia College

Job Title: Food Services Specialist
Location: Centralia College
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 14410
About Us

Centralia College is on a 30-acre campus of modern buildings set among walking paths, lawns, and native plantings just a few blocks from the heart of Centralia, Washington. The college has served students in the Lewis County region since 1925 and is the oldest continuously operating community college in Washington State. The city of Centralia is a historic railroad and river shipping hub with a vibrant downtown and railway station.

As a comprehensive community college, Centralia College offers academic transfer and workforce programs, as well as adult basic education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and personal enrichment classes. The college also offers five Bachelor of Applied Science degrees.

In addition to the main campus in Centralia, Centralia College East in Morton is a smaller site that serves the needs of students in east Lewis County. Centralia College is committed to the success of all students, and thus also provides educational programs at two corrections centers in southwest Washington and one juvenile facility. In total, the college serves more than 4,800 students annually. For nearly 100 years, several generations of Lewis County residents have looked to Centralia College for their education and training needs.

Centralia College is committed to student success, academic excellence, and enhancing and supporting our diverse community in an inclusive and equitable learning environment. We encourage applicants with demonstrated experience collaborating with, and serving, people from a wide range of backgrounds.

For more information on Centralia College and the Centralia area, call 360-736-9391 or visit www.centralia.edu.

Job Description

Reporting to the Food Services Director, this position will perform specialized cooking duties, leads food preparation and ensures cleanliness of the food services areas of Centralia College. Responsible for preparing menu items, including special and catering menus. Duties include collaborating with Director on menu and food innovation. This role ensures sufficient stock levels are maintained to reduce waste; adheres to designated production levels, requiring batch cooking at peak times and a la carte cooking during off-peak periods; ensures food products and equipment are stored, handled, and inventoried safely and securely; demonstrates judgement, integrity, and a commitment to quality and presentation of all prepared items; maintains necessary records and oversees production area; provides support to student and temporary staff in the preparation and cooking of food and cleanliness of facility; communicates regularly with Director on food service operations, staffing, scheduling, inventory and cash requirements; regularly uses computer, point-of-sale and inventory system to cashier, charge, track, report and inventory; completes daily deposit of cash registers; This position provides backup to the Director of Food Services and Blazer Bistro Manager assisting with caterings, espresso and concession operations as required.

The regular schedule for this position will be 6:30AM to 3:00PM Monday through Friday. This position requires occasional evening, weekend and split-schedule work, ensuring adequate coverage and preparations of food service department(s). It is essential the incumbent keep an up-to-date serv safe manager certification and food handlers permit with the State of Washington.

Duties and Responsibilities

Cafeteria Lead Duties:

• Ensure blazer bite cafeteria is operational and ready for students, staff, and faculty in various dining settings; including ordering food and supplies, leading cafeteria, cooking and staff while keeping area clean and free of debris; ensure successful inspections.

• Serve as lead cook; prepare, cook and serve food in the college cafeteria and other food service areas as needed; monitors student and temporary staff in the preparation, cooking and serving of food.

• Prepare food items according to standard menus, recipes, and instruction.

• Lead storage of food, supplies, and equipment; complete frequent inventory of food; complete annual inventory of supplies and equipment; suggest purchase of new supplies and equipment as needed.

• Collaborate with Director on recipe development; assist with menu innovation and preparation, determining amount of food to meet menu requirements.

• Ensure cleanliness of cafeteria, kitchen and equipment

• Set and maintain standards of sanitation and safety; prepare and execute sanitation schedules of facility and equipment.

• Set and maintain standards of inventory and storage; utilize leftover ingredients and products; rotate stock and ensure minimal to no waste

• Mentor, train, and instruct student and temporary staff with an emphasis on cooking technique, customer service, safety and sanitation; operate food service areas independently in absence of manager.

• Foster and establish a positive, collaborative, and efficient work environment within division, college and community.

• Work collaboratively with campus staff and campus users in providing a high-quality customer service experience for all.

• Assist Director with food and beverage ordering for cafeteria and catering functions; meet with vendors in establishing new accounts; may prepare requisitions for food, beverage and supply; may utilize department purchasing card for purchases in adherence to college policy.

• Assist Director with preventative maintenance schedule and program in collaboration with facilities, operations and maintenance department; ensure college assets are protected and maintained for full expected life;

Computer, Point-of-Sale & Fiscal Related Duties:

• Ensure successful use of computer to utilize Microsoft Office products as needed; regularly check and respond to Outlook email, Teams messages, and utilize SharePoint to access internal campus information.

• Ensure successful use of computer to utilize ctcLink (campus system) to successfully submit timesheets, leave requests, and access other campus information.

• Ensure successful use of point-of-sale and inventory system and train student and temporary staff on systems; utilize HelloPOS (point-of-sale/inventory system) to complete transactions, create purchase and return orders, invoices, and complete daily transactions.

• Work closely with department heads and support staff in the successful purchase of food via intra-district; process internal billing in accordance with college policy.

• Complete daily deposit of cash and check received and ensure daily delivery of deposit to Auxiliary Services safe; Work closely with Auxiliary Services staff on discrepancies and cash requirements.

• Reconciles invoices and with receiving of food, beverage and supplies; maintains necessary records.

Catering Duties:

• Serve as backup for catering operations including: catering proposals, menu pricing and innovation for internal and external catering functions; respond to inquiries in timely manner.

• Assist Director with all catering functions that require onsite support; leading student and temporary staff in ensuring adequate coverage of caterings; meet with campus users as needed.

• Work collaboratively with Event Services Specialist and Facilities, Operations and Maintenance department to ensure caterings are setup prior to event.

• May lead catering operations independently in Director's absence.

Auxiliary Support Duties:

• Assist with special events planning and oversight; serve as event liaison.

• Provide backup support to Blazer Bistro Manager; ensuring adequate coverage of blazer bistro (espresso bar) and athletic concession stand. May lead blazer bistro and concession operations independently in Director and/or Manager's absence including serving coffee, energy beverages, light snacks and ensuring cleanliness of assigned area.

Qualifications

• Three years of cooking experience in a large-scale food service or culinary operation.

• Washington State Food Worker Card

• ServSafe Manager Certification (must be obtained within 6 months of start date)

• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends as needed depending on specific events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's Degree or certificate in culinary arts, restaurant management, hotel and restaurant administration, or related field from an accredited institution;

• Five or more years of work experience in large-scale food service or culinary operation.

• Experience serving custom espresso and energy drinks.

• Experience in large scale catered functions.

• Experience with point-of-sale and inventory systems.

• Experience working in school/higher education environment.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed in a commercial kitchen with direct contact with the public, staff, faculty and students.Work in confined spaces; lift up to 50 pounds, carry, push, pull; sit or stand for extended periods of time; walk, stoop, bend, and twist; frequent repetitive finger, hand and wrist motion to operate equipment; Frequent need for oral, written, and auditory communications; exposure to noise, electricity, machinery; frequent interruptions and distractions; deal with environmental stresses, emergency situations, and deadlines. Special events require outdoor work with exposure to various weather conditions; moving within corridors and between buildings; exposure to cleaning chemicals and other related chemicals commonly used in the kitchen; may require use of protective devises such as hairnets and gloves.

Conditions of Employment

This is a twelve (12) month per year, full-time professional technical overtime eligible exempt position. The salary is $48,000 - 51,000 (DOQ/DOE) annually depending on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. The state of Washington provides a comprehensive benefits package for state employees. The position may participate in the TIAA/CREF retirement system.

DEADLINE: The screening committee will begin their first review on November 18, 2024. Position is open until filled.

Compensation

Annual Salary: $48,000 - 51,000 (DOQ/DOE)

Application Process

Interested candidates may apply by submitting the following items:

Online Application
Cover Letter that addresses your interest in the position and ability to perform the responsibilities described in this announcement.
Detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience that demonstrates how you meet the qualifications.
List of at least three professional references with contact information. References are typically contacted after interviews.

Eligibility to Work

If you are hired, you will need proof of identity, and documentation of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work.

Background Check

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

EEO Statement

Centralia College has a strong institutional commitment to the principles of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we strongly urge all qualified applicants, especially people of color, persons of disability, women, and disabled and Vietnam era veterans, to apply. Centralia College is an Equal Opportunity employer.

It is the policy of Centralia College to assure equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 40), religion, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Centralia College does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Designated Title II, VI, VII, IX, Section 504, ADA compliance officer: Vice President for Human Resources and Equity, Hanson Hall Room 101, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia WA 98531-4099, (360)623-8943.

The Human Resources Office is accessible for persons with disabilities. Those who need disability accommodation in the application/employment process, please call (360)623-8943.

Jeanne Clery Statement

Notice of Availability of Annual Security Report-Centralia College's Annual Crime/Security Report is available here, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 360-623-8947.

Title IX Statement

Centralia College is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visit, Title IX.

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