Keep the Kitchen Running. Support the Entire Restaurant.

At PJ Lobster House, our Restaurant Dishwasher / Kitchen Support Team plays an essential role in keeping the restaurant operating efficiently.

Our Kitchen Support Team keeps the restaurant moving. Without them, nothing else works. This position is responsible for much more than washing dishes—it helps maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary environment while supporting every department throughout the restaurant.

Our Kitchen Support Team operates our commercial dishwashing machine, washes pots and pans, stocks clean plates, glassware, and kitchen equipment, maintains clean work areas, assists with light food preparation, removes trash and cardboard, and helps ensure the entire restaurant remains clean, organized, and fully stocked throughout every shift.

At PJ Lobster House, no one says, "That's not my job." Every member of our team works together to create an exceptional guest experience, and our Kitchen Support Team is an important part of that success.

The ideal candidate is dependable, hardworking, organized, and enjoys staying busy. If you take pride in cleanliness, teamwork, and supporting others, we'd love to meet you.

Responsibilities

• Operate the commercial dishwashing machine safely and efficiently.
• Wash, sanitize, and properly store dishes, glassware, silverware, cookware, pots, pans, and kitchen utensils.
• Keep a continuous supply of clean plates, bowls, glassware, and kitchen equipment available throughout service.
• Stock clean dishes, glassware, and kitchen supplies throughout the restaurant.
• Maintain clean and sanitized sinks, garbage cans, and dishwashing areas.
• Remove trash, recycling, and cardboard throughout the shift.
• Break down cardboard boxes and transport waste to designated disposal areas.
• Clean and restock guest and employee restrooms throughout the day.
• Sweep, mop, and maintain clean kitchen floors and work areas.
• Assist the kitchen with light food preparation during slower periods.
• Assist with receiving, organizing, and stocking deliveries when needed.
• Support cooks, Kitchen Coordinators, managers, and the front-of-house team wherever needed.
• Complete opening, closing, cleaning, and side work as assigned.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and cleaning procedures.
• Filter fryers at end of shift with specialty filter machine

REQUIREMENTS

• Previous restaurant, dishwasher, janitorial, warehouse, or similar experience preferred but not required.
• Strong work ethic with a willingness to stay busy throughout every shift.
• Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to assist any department when needed.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Ability to safely operate commercial dishwashing equipment after training.
• Commitment to maintaining a clean, organized, and sanitary work environment.
• Comfortable lifting, carrying, and moving heavy pots, pans, dish racks, and supplies.
• Able to work in hot, wet, and fast-paced conditions.
• Dependable with excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Available to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Able to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Able to safely lift up to 50 pounds.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Build Your Career at PJ Lobster House

For more than 30 years, PJ Lobster House has proudly served the Port Jefferson and Long Island community as a family-owned seafood restaurant and fish market. Our reputation has been built on fresh, high-quality food, exceptional hospitality, and, most importantly, the outstanding people who make it all possible every day.

We believe great businesses are built by great teams—not constant hiring. That's why we're looking for dependable, hardworking individuals who want more than just another restaurant job. We invest in people who take pride in their work, enjoy being part of a team, and are looking for a place where they can build a long-term career.

Unlike many restaurants that significantly reduce staff or cut hours during the off-season, our goal is to retain great employees year-round. While business levels naturally fluctuate throughout the year, we work hard to provide consistent hours and stable employment because we know our employees depend on their jobs just as much as we depend on them.

We also believe that a career should help build your future. That's why we offer a 401(k) retirement plan, giving eligible employees the opportunity to invest in their future while building a long-term career with our company.

One of the things our employees value most is consistency. Whenever possible, we provide set schedules so you know when you're working and can better plan your life outside of work. We believe predictable schedules create a healthier work-life balance and help our team succeed both professionally and personally.

Whether you work in our dining room, kitchen, or seafood market, you'll become part of a team that values professionalism, respect, accountability, reliability, and helping one another succeed. Every position plays an important role, and every team member contributes to the experience our guests have come to expect for more than three decades.

If you're looking for a fast-paced workplace where your work is appreciated, your teammates support one another, opportunities are earned through hard work and dependability, and you're encouraged to build a long-term career, we'd love to meet you.

Why Work at PJ Lobster House?

• Family-owned and operated for more than 30 years
• Year-round employment with a commitment to providing steady hours whenever possible
• Consistent set schedules to help you balance work and personal life
• 401(k) retirement plan because we believe in helping our employees invest in their future
• Opportunities for advancement and cross-training
• Professional, respectful, team-oriented culture
• Employee dining discounts
• Managers who work alongside their teams
• High standards with supportive leadership
• Fast-paced environment where no two days are the same
• Build a career—not just another restaurant job

Our Core Values

At PJ Lobster House, every member of our team is expected to uphold the values that have guided our business for more than 30 years:

Dependability

We do what we say we're going to do. Our teammates and our guests rely on us every day.

Teamwork

We support one another, communicate openly, and understand that great restaurants succeed when everyone works together.

Hospitality

Every guest deserves a welcoming, friendly, and memorable experience from the moment they walk through our doors.

Professionalism

We take pride in our work, our appearance, our attitude, and our commitment to maintaining the high standards our guests expect.