Culinary Associate I

Description Position: Culinary Associate I

Department: Dining Services

Wage: $13.10-$16.375

Union Affiliation: MFPE

Starting Date: 7/28/2025

Posting Date : 7/7/2025

Benefits Include:

• Insurance package,
• Mandatory retirement plan,
• Dependent partial tuition waiver,
• Faculty/staff tuition waiver
• Wellness program:
• Pro-rated annual and sick leave;

Description: This position reports directly to the Culinary Associate II (Cook II) on duty followed by the Culinary Associate III.

Perform food preparation, service, or cleaning duties including preparing hot and cold food products; assembling and/or serving soups, salads, and entrees; cleaning and sanitizing kitchen and/or dining areas; cashiering; and washing dishes.

Under the direction of the Cook II, responsible for a variety of duties including preparation of hot and cold food items such as soups, salads, and entrees from established menu and recipes; serving food on the serving line; working with catering staff; cashiering; working in the dish room, and with Montana Youth Challenge.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities also include daily cleaning and sanitizing of food preparation and/or dining area, equipment, utensils, and coolers/freezers; properly storing items according to health codes; recording daily meal counts; and calculating food quantities to be prepared.

Responsible for the set up and tear down, cleaning, sanitation, and general maintenance of the dish machines and dish room area. Expected to put away and store clean and sanitized dishes and equipment.

This position will include cyclical work such as deep cleaning kitchen facilities.

Expectation to work a varied schedule, when needed, such as catered events.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum: Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent.

General knowledge of various institutional food service equipment.

Ability to follow established procedures and verbal or written instructions. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Physical demands include prolonged standing, bending, and lifting up to 40 pounds to table height and 15 pounds above head, pushing and pulling carts and equipment, and exposure to heat, cold, and cleaning chemicals. This role requires bending, twisting, and lifting.

Ability to work with a variety of personalities.

Preferred: Commercial food service experience.

Food preparation experience.

Knowledge of cleaning products to be used in the dish machine and cleaning of the dish machine and dish room area.

Additional Information

Application: Review of applications will begin immediately, but will remain open until the position is filled.

A Complete Application Includes:

• Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
• Curriculum Vitae/Detailed Resume
• Official or Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts (Official transcripts will be required at time of hire)
• Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.

The University of Montana offers a wide variety of benefits. Please visit the Montana University System Benefits website for full information or contact our office if you have additional questions.