Dining Unit Chef

Multiple full time Partial Year Career positions available in multiple Dining Halls across the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Benefits to working at UC Santa Cruz include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
• UC Retirement Plans
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave
• Meal Allowance

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 09-09-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Colleges, Housing and Educational Services (CHES) is a multi-funded organization within the Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) at the University of California (UC) Santa Cruz. CHES provides leadership in the areas of college student life and residential services, housing services, facilities, capital planning, dining services, conference services, early education services, and business and financial analysis for these areas. Through these units, educational and developmental programs and services are offered to all members of the campus community, including students, faculty, staff, children, and external constituents.

CHES provides on-campus housing and dining services to nearly 9,500 undergraduate and graduate students in ten residential colleges and six multi-college affiliated residential communities that support single students and students with families.

UC Santa Cruz Dining is instrumental in the success of our students as well as providing services to staff, faculty and guests of the campus. Our mission is to be committed to: creating a diverse, safe, fun and trusting environment for our guests and team; building an innovative dinin

More information can be found at: https://dining.ucsc.edu/jobs/index.html

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Unit Manager, the Unit Chef is responsible for assisting the Unit Manager in the daily management and supervision of the Dining Services culinary team in specific operational areas. The Unit Chef is responsible for managing culinary personnel to execute recipes, menus, production standards, cooking processes, methods and procedures, and financial and budgetary targets, along with procurement and inventory control of day-to-day residential, retail or hospitality dining operations. This position will also assist the Executive Chef in menu and recipe development for residential and retail dining, commissary production facilities, or future catering operations. Responsible for financial accountability to systems and processes, including accurate ordering and inventory management, appropriate product selection, and vendor relationships. Provide a quality dining experience by establishing high standards for the delivery of food and excellent guest service through innovative, diverse, and creative menus. Implement planned menu cycles or programs established for residential or retail dining operations.

The Unit Chef is responsible for supporting and executing the culinary vision for the campus and providing oversight of controlling food standards and procedures, food budgets, menu execution, reviewing/recommending purchasing, and planning and presentation for residential, retail dining or catering operations.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $85,550/ annually
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: To be determined and details to be discussed at the interview
• Shift Includes: Day, Evenings Night, Weekends, to be determined and discussed at the interview

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: EXEC CHEF 4 (005232)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

75% - MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD PRODUCTION

• Lead, manage, and motivate the culinary workforce. Provide a quality dining experience by establishing high standards for delivery of food and excellent guest service through innovative, diverse and creative menus. Execute menu cycles and food programs for residential or retail dining restaurants and cafe operations. Assist in the menu development process, test, and refine recipes. Ensure that concepts, menus, recipes, and food specifications meet financial goals.
  Manage budgetary responsibility within the cost per meal and cost guidelines. Ensure budgetary goals are met and on track.
• Ensure that proper handling and storage procedures are in place for all inventories of food supplies and equipment.
• Manage food safety, sanitation procedures and standards, and ensure staff are trained in proper food handling techniques according to health and safety standards. Responsible for conducting periodic inspections.
• Train and supervise unit production personnel in food preparation, equipment usage, proper food handling, recipe testing, merchandising, event set-up, and menu execution.
• The Unit Chef plans cycle menus and special events, reviews, and adjusts menu offerings and production quantities in order to serve customers and control food costs. Ensures portion control and quality control with discernment of portions, presentation, and flavor and food safety through product evaluation, recipe testing, taste testing, and temperature monitoring.
• Reinforce department service standards and maintain cost-effective management of daily operations. Maintain effective communication with staff, customers and other managers as appropriate.
• Ensures timely production and service and controls labor costs by efficiently scheduling service and/or production personnel and planning workload distribution.
• The Unit Chef shares responsibility for ensuring proper maintenance and safe operation of the facilities and all food production and service equipment.

20% - DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP

• Assist the Executive Chef and the Unit Manager in implementing the departmental vision and goals in their unit. Work as a collaborative team member on the Dining Services management team and regularly participate in the unit's management meetings. Communicate effectively with colleagues in discussing improvements, solving problems, and following through with implementing solutions. Collaborate with the dining management team to ensure that strategic planning and annual initiatives are understood and uniformly administered. Attend conferences, trainings, workshops, or off-site business meetings in support of elevating on-campus operations.

Human Resources Management:

• Assists and supports the Unit Manager in all facets of Human Resources Management. This includes hiring, training, schedule management, revising job descriptions, labor contract adherence, and performance.
• Responsible for the implementation of personnel policies and procedures in accordance with University and Dining Services guidelines.
• The Unit Chef motivates staff to strive for the highest quality food production and service through training, coaching, recognition, and career development, while keeping up with current trends throughout the industry.
• Facilitates training programs for employees to include:
  • HACCP (Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point)
  • Training in safe chemical handling
  • Ongoing training in food safety and sanitation
  • Educating staff on customer service skills
  • Career development and training for staff
  • University Principles of Community and Respect
• Ensures that the collective bargaining agreements and University of California policies are followed.
• Maintain cost-effective work schedules for all staff and student employees.
• Maintains appropriate confidentiality of all records and information.
• Participates or may serve as the Committee Chair on departmental staff recruitments.
• Establish performance goals. Provide input for annual performance appraisals for exempt and nonexempt team members within Dining operations and conduct annual performance appraisals for direct reports. Will coach, counsel, and discipline and performance management food production team members.
• Recognizes and acknowledges outstanding staff performance.

5% - Other Duties As Assigned

• As a manager of a Dining Hall, Bakery, Retail or Catering operation, the incumbent will work with staff, students, and faculty of the University community and must ensure that all operations support the University's mission, programs, and events.
• Interfaces with Colleges Housing & Educational Services (CHES) and Dining Services staff, as well as students, to provide dining and management support for college and residential programs.
• Participates in weekly management staff meetings to review and discuss future activities and events.
• Participates on campus-wide and in departmental committees as needed.
• Will drive campus-owned vehicles and/or a personal vehicle to perform various duties, including, but not limited to, catered events, training, quality control within locations, cashier deposits, and other driving-related duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned by the Unit Manager.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong experience and exhibited ability in management, especially related to food services in hotel, restaurant, retail, or catering services.
• Experience in financial and labor management, employee relations and training, menu development, customer service, food production, handling and storage, quality control, health and safety.
• Demonstrated supervisory, leadership, and personnel management skills to effectively administer and manage through others.
• Skill and temperament to provide an open climate and create opportunities for employee communication and position departmental interaction.
• Skill and knowledge to create performance standards that increase morale, productivity and attendance.
• Ability to recruit, interview, hire, manage, lead, motivate and supervise effectively a diverse workforce including setting and meeting performance goals, conducting performance appraisals and providing training for residential dining service staff.
• Strong and demonstrated culinary production, service, event planning, and management skills in a Table Dining, Retail and Catering environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to maintain good working relations with a diverse group of people. Ability to resolve issues related to students, staff, faculty, and dining services, and exercise diplomacy in stressful situations.
• Strong demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment in making informed management decisions.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Skill to work independently and ability to be inventive and creative, including but not limited to initiating new programs, conceptualizing, organizing, and directing projects, Unit growth, development and change.
• Skill and knowledge to collaborate with colleagues to design and implement innovative customer service programs.
• Experience and effectiveness in providing customer service and working with the public.
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English; to write accurate and grammatically correct reports, Unit goals, and evaluations, and communicate with staff, customers, vendors and other departments.
• Ability to apply mathematical and accounting skills to interpret and analyze financial data and inventory.
• Demonstrated computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet programs and well-rounded knowledge of on-line processes to administer and manager food service computer systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS in dining services, culinary or hospitality-related field.
• Bilingual Spanish/English or willingness to learn.
• Previous or present involvement in the National Association of Colleges & University Food Services (NACUFS) or other food service/hospitality-related professional affiliation.
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check within 45 days of being fingerprinted.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• All employees must be able to pass the ServSafe certification within 90 days of employment, or already be in possession of a ServSafe certification upon hire. This certification must be maintained throughout employment in this position.
• The ability to move materials weighing up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.