Dining Service Worker

Appointment: Regular, part-time (0.75 FTE) position. 9 month employee, academic year only.

Work Location

This position is based in Tacoma, WA. This is an on-campus role only.

Position Summary

This position is assigned by station and is responsible for the set-up and service within the station. For food stations and the servery that will likely include food preparation and/or stocking and service of food to the customer; for dish and pots stations the focus is on cleaning and restocking of culinary and service ware. DSWs are cross trained and should be able to work within the different types of stations.

Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Set-up the station according to established standards. Depending on the station assignment, this may include:
• Firing of equipment: fryers, griddle, grill, steamers, steam tables, ovens, pasta cookers, soup kettles, woks, hot boxes, frozen yogurt machine, dish machine, pot machine, etc.
• Prep and cooking of station menu items, following established production standards: standardized recipes, production sheets, waste logs, temp logs and other resources as instructed
• Gathering service utensils, condiments and other service needs
• Set-up of display plates
• Menu signage
• Restocking china, utensils, napkins, paper products, gloves
• Restocking milk machine, beverages, cereals, condiments and other food/beverage items
• Filling and maintenance of sanitation buckets
• Additional responsibilities during service time may include:
• Proper portioning and service to the guest
• General dining area cleanliness, including bussing tables in all public areas
• Break down the station according to established standards. Depending on the station assignment, this may include:
• Proper cooking, labeling and storage of food in refrigerators, freezers, and storerooms
• Proper product rotation in walk-ins, production cooers, and holding cabinets to assure timely use of food items and minimize potential waste
• Daily cleaning of kitchen and food storage areas, utensils, and equipment
• General duties include:
• Cleaning and sanitation within assigned station and other DS managed areas, including sweeping, mopping, trash/garbage removal
• Recycling of cardboard, paper, plastic and aluminum
• Operation of standard kitchen appliances and equipment as listed within station set-up, above, and other items e.g. coffee maker, toaster, choppers, grinders, etc.
• Works with, and instructs, student staff and regular staff in food preparation and service, storage, and handling of food items as assigned
• Perform cash handling duties, as needed, for cashier coverage:
• Ability to operate electronic point of sale register
• Receive cash, credit cards, dining dollars, meal tickets, etc. in payment for food products, ensuring that each customer receives outstanding service by providing a friendly environment, which includes acknowledging every customer, maintaining department standards, solid product knowledge and all other aspects of customer service.
• Maintains sanitary work area and habits in accordance with Pierce County Health Department specifications and requirements
• Regular and predictable attendance
• Maintains good personal hygiene habits, including washing of hands
• Performs duties in a safe manner and reports all accidents to the immediate supervisor
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor
• Complies with Dining & Event Services (DES) standards and philosophy
• Adheres to policies as outlined in the DES Handbook
  
  

Qualifications

• Ability to operate all equipment necessary to perform the job
• Valid Food Worker Card
• Ability to count and to read short sentences with a common vocabulary
• The job offer to the successful candidate is contingent upon the results of background inquiry, and pre-placement physical exam (including drug testing), and strength test
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities are essential
• Ability to respectfully work, communicate and provide leadership within a diverse campus community
  
  

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience

• Experience with operating standard kitchen appliances and equipment, e.g., coffee maker, toaster, dishwasher, etc.
• Customer service experience
  
  

Language Skills

Must be able to speak clearly, listen attentively, read, write, and understand English.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to stand on one's feet for extended periods of time, use hand/finger dexterity continually, and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to lift 35 lbs. on an occasional basis.
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

The anticipated range for this position is $16.66 - $19.00 per hour. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions
• Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays
• Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families
• Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!)
  
  

Please note

• Positions that work less than .75 FTE (1,560 hours per year) do not qualify for long-term disability or education benefits.
• Positions that work less than .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will accrue paid sick leave but are not eligible for additional benefits.
• Temporary positions that work at least .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will be eligible for benefits.
  
  

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

For more information on Puget Sound's non-exempt staff benefits package, visit: Summary of 2025 Benefits for Staff Members in Non-Exempt Positions.pdf

For the Campus Holiday and Bonus Day Schedule, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/human-resources

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Letter of Interest
  
  

Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks.

University Diversity Statement

We Acknowledge

• The richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community.
• The intrinsic worth of all who work and study here.
• The investigation and reflection enhance that education upon multiple perspectives.
  
  

We Aspire

• To create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community.
• To increase the diversity of all parts of our university community through a commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts.
• To foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.
  
  

We Act

• To achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity.
• To ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here.
• To prepare citizen-leaders effectively for a pluralistic world.
  
  

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity

The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.

Please note that we generally do not sponsor applicants for work visas for staff positions. Therefore, we generally require applicants for staff positions to be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.