General Cook (Floater) - Join the Team!

Harvard University is a prestigious and world-renowned institution committed to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and inspiring collaboration across diverse fields of study. With a rich history of academic excellence, Harvard serves a global community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, dedicated to making a meaningful impact on society. By joining Harvard University, individuals become part of a vibrant and dynamic community that values diversity, inclusion, and professional growth. The Central Administration at Harvard University supports this mission by providing high-quality services and resources to the university's schools and departments to help achieve their academic and operational goals. With a workforce of over 5,000 employees, the Central Administration maintains a collaborative and supportive environment that enables everyone to thrive and contribute to Harvard's overarching mission. This particular role is a Cook position within Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS), designed for individuals passionate about culinary arts and interested in working within a fast-paced, high-volume food service environment. The position entails preparing and cooking menu items using proper methods, ensuring food quality standards, and supporting events through catering functions. The cook will work closely with the culinary team and management, ensuring that all food preparation adheres to health and safety standards, including HACCP procedures and local regulations. The role also involves supervision and on-the-job training of junior kitchen staff, maintaining kitchen inventory, and ensuring cleanliness according to the "clean as you go" philosophy. This is a vital position that requires excellent multitasking skills, culinary expertise, and a commitment to providing exceptional service to Harvard's diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and guests. The work schedule for this position is 32 hours per week with a flexible schedule over five days, including weekends, and the compensation ranges between $29.07 and $31.08 per hour including any shift differentials. The position is essential and based on-site at a Harvard campus, with no visa sponsorship offered. Selected candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening including criminal background checks, drug testing, employment verification, and identity verification. Working at Harvard University offers comprehensive benefits designed to foster well-being and work-life balance, including medical, dental, and vision insurance starting from day one, generous paid time off including parental leave, retirement plans with university contributions, professional development opportunities such as tuition assistance, as well as resources to support mental health and family caregiving. The university’s commitment to equal opportunity and non-discrimination ensures an inclusive work environment where every employee can flourish regardless of background or personal characteristics. In this science-driven culinary role, the employee embodies Harvard's values of respect, collaboration, and excellence, contributing importantly to the university's mission of education and service.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Must have proficiency with the English language (speaking, reading and writing)
• Minimum four years of related food preparation experience in hospitality industry
• Some related supervisory experience
• Experience working with large volume cook-chill process and commissary production (CSG)
• Experience working in a high-end off-site catering environment (Catering)
• Must have culinary ability to execute recipes with the technical understanding of all cooking methods and ensure culinary team is also executing recipes accurately
• Must have knife skills necessary to perform the job
• Must be able to follow directions
• Must be neat in appearance and comply with proper dress code as designated by HUDS
• Must have proficiency with kitchen tools and equipment without restrictions
• Must have basic math skills and ability to analyze digital and analog thermometers, scales, and other measuring devices
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Must have strong multi-tasking skills
• Must have excellent communication skills
• Must be able to work cooperatively and respectfully with a diverse set of staff, management and guests
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced diverse environment
• Must be customer service oriented