To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

This position is primarily M-F Mornings however the occasional weekend and evening may be required for campus events! 

We offer benefits UNHEARD of in this industry! Check them out here! (Download PDF reader) This includes things such as 18 days of paid time off a year, a very low cost for health insurance, tuition benefits, hotel stay discounts, and a generous retirement account program. Plus a free meal on every shift! 
 
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: 
The Cafe at Kirkwood (Iowa Hall, Main Campus at Kirkwood Community College) is a part of the same culinary team that operates The Class Act Restaurant and organizes banquets/catering for The Hotel at Kirkwood. The Café provides fresh, high quality ingredients, a tasty gourmet twist to recipes, and menus with variety and flavor, to the students, employees and guests on Kirkwood's main campus. The lead cook works closely with the café general manager to prepare amazing food, supervise workers engaged in preparing food and training new hires.
 
UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES: 

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions. 
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment. 
• Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success. 
• Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence. 

• Prepares and serves food for Bakery services and food production for various size groups, Including Café, Coffee Shop and Campus Catering
• Supervises workers engaged in preparing and serving food for customers. 
• Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures. 
• Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas to ensure efficient service and conformance to standards. 
• Positively engage with customers and staff, ensuring a productive and respectful work environment.
• Control inventories of food, equipment, small ware, and liquor, and report shortages to designated personnel. 
• Assign duties, responsibilities, and work stations to employees and students in accordance with work requirements. 
• Estimate ingredients and supplies required to prepare a recipe. 
• Analyze operational problems, such as theft and wastage, and establish procedures to alleviate these problems.
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.
• Maintain compliance with required training as designated by supervisor.
• Regular and consistent attendance at work.
• Perform other related work duties as assigned. 
• Effective time management skills.
• Effective organizational skills.
• Ability to follow instructions (i.e. menus/recipes).
• High ability to cook and plan meals.
• To be able to supervise kitchen help and keep them on track.
• Knowledge of nutrition and bookkeeping.
• Knowledge of food storage/handling techniques.
• Willing to be Serve Safe Certified
• Regular and consistent attendance at work.

The physical activities required for this position involve:

• Standing over 2/3 of the time. 
• Walking over 2/3 of the time. 
• Sitting under 1/3 of the time. 
• Using hands over 2/3 of the time. 
• Reaching with hands and arms over 2/3 of the time. 
• Climbing or balancing under 1/3 of the time. 
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling under 1/3] of the time. 
• Talking or hearing over 2/3 of the time. 
• Tasting or smelling over 2/3 of the time. 
• This position requires lifting:
  1. Up to 50 pounds up to 2/3 of the time.

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have valid driver’s license and own transportation
• Must have prior commercial kitchen experience or equivalent education

·              Preference will be given to those candidates with a post high school degree.  

·              Preference will be given to those candidates with a minimum of two years full-time experience in a related hospitality setting or the equivalent education and related work experience.