"Kitchen Lead (5651C), Lawrence Hall of Science - 84870"

About Berkeley

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As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

Located in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus, The Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley's public science center, inspires and engages millions each year through science discovery and learning in ways that advance equity and opportunity. Located in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus, The Lawrence welcomes over 100,000 visitors per year to programs and events onsite and hundreds of thousands more in schools and community settings across Northern California. Our programs, products, and research impact youth, communities, educators, leaders and partners locally, nationally and globally. The Lawrence Hall of Science is the home of UC Berkeley's ottoy Initiative. The ottoy Initiative aims to foster understanding of and respect for Ohlone people and culture and to repair and improve UC Berkeley's relationship with the Ohlone community.

Position Summary

As the home of UC Berkeley's ottoy Initiative, The Lawrence Hall of Science offers multiple culinary experiences at The Lawrence and across the UC Berkeley campus designed to foster understanding of and respect for Ohlone people and culture. These experiences are all serviced by ammatka Kitchen which will be located in The Lawrence's existing kitchen and cafe space which has been closed since 2020.

Under the direction of ottoy Initiative leaders (Cafe Ohlone co-founders Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino) and the ottoy Culinary Manager, The ammatka kitchen will prepare, cook, and serve a combination of made-to-order and grab-and-go food for sale in the onsite cafe and other culinary offerings that will be served in other campus venues. The ammatka senior food service worker position requires knowledge of all aspects of food service in a restaurant, catering or retail food operation, including preparation, serving and presentation of food and beverages; dining and serving area set up; cleaning of the facilities, equipment and tableware; customer service, and executing transactions.

We welcome candidates who have demonstrated the ability to create inclusive work environments, collaborate effectively across teams, and serve the communities with whom we work and seek to engage. We are committed to hiring and retaining culturally competent leaders at all levels of the organization who foster inclusive workplace practices and continually strengthen their professional skills and leadership effectiveness. Given the goals of the ottoy culinary experiences initiative, we seek applicants who are interested in advancing the objectives of the ottoy initiative and who have a strong interest in the connection between food and culture.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 03/27/2026.

Responsibilities

Food Preparation, Production and Service

• Set-up, prepare, replenish, distribute food products, beverages, and supplies in designated areas to ensure availability in a timely manner to meet customer demand.
• Under general supervision, performs semi-skilled food preparation, to include but not limited to grilling, frying and use of pizza ovens.
• Assemble and basic preparation of food products and beverages to support service and menu production, in adherence to ammatka service and production standards.
• As cooks' helpers, assist with preparing and panning menu items, wash and cut raw vegetables, slice luncheon meats and cheeses; open and pan convenience food items in preparation for service; replenish dry storage bins; and clean equipment, cutlery, utensils, work tables, shelves, storage racks, cutting boards and sinks in the main food production areas.

Food Production and Service

• Knowledgeable about food being served, including allergens, ingredients, etc.
• Establish and maintain positive relations with our customers.
• Listen, and if possible, resolve customers' needs and report them to the manager and/or supervisor.
• Interact enthusiastically and pleasantly with customers and co-workers to ensure a positive interaction and outcome in every interaction.
• Responsible for practicing good stewardship with university and customer resources.
• Serve, plate, and package food using portion control techniques, resulting in an appealing final product.
• Follow basic principles of safety and sanitation in food service.
• Transport, deliver and serve prepared food to multiple campus locations.

Sanitation and Safety

• Maintain cleanliness of all work areas, including sweeping, mopping, wiping surfaces.
• Remove and properly dispose of trash, compost, and recyclable materials.
• Immediately resolve or report spills, damages, defects, and other issues to maintain safety and sanitation of the facility.
• Ensure all operational areas are clean and organized in a timely manner to meet customer demand.
• Clean and wash soiled dishware and equipment using correct procedures of safety and sanitation.
• Organize and store clean dishware into proper transporting equipment.
• As general utility workers, dish machine attendants, pot and pan machine attendants, perform a wide variety of duties for the maintenance of the equipment used.
• As general maintenance workers, clean and maintain production equipment and areas to include but not limited to pots, steamers, ovens, grills, deep wells, fryers and mixers; clean work tables, shelves, sinks, drinking fountains, storage cabinets, ice machines, refrigerators and food storage bins; clean walls, doors, and air-vents; collect, empty wash and redistribute garbage cans; and sweep and mop floors in kitchen or dining area.
• As pot and pan machine attendants, assemble, scrape, soak and wash pots, pans and utensils in the pot machine or three compartment sink; and clean pot machine, work tables, soak sinks and portable storage pot racks.
• Put away all items when clean and dry.

Other Duties as Assigned and Professional Development

• Perform additional tasks as required, participate in organizational activities that advance the well-being of The Lawrence Hall of Science and the ottoy Initiative, and engage in opportunities for professional growth.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in food preparation.
• Experience with general maintenance and cleaning activities in a kitchen and dining area.
• Customer service experience.
• Experience following directions related to job responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to direct the work of others.
• Ability to follow recipes and to take and incorporate feedback.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English and follow oral/written instructions.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to operate and maintain restaurant food service equipment.
• Experience plating and packaging food in aesthetically pleasing manner.
• High school diploma and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in large volume production.
• Knowledge and/or experience related to using indigenous ingredients in food preparation.
• Knowledge and/or experience related to cultivating cultural appreciation through culinary experiences.
• Knowledge related to advancing food sustainability and security.
• Experience in a foodservice operation in public-facing, cultural organization.
• ServSafe or Food Service Handler Certification.
• TIPS Training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is a non-exempt, biweekly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.