Position Type:

Regular

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Hiring Range:

46,675.00 USD - 48,614.00 USD

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 12:00am MST on:

2026-08-23

About the Role

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research is looking for our next Cook/Generalist to join the team at our Foothills Lab 2 Cafeteria. This individual will prepare and serve food in any of the UCAR cafes for day-to-day operations, special events, conferences, and caterings.

Job Description

Application Deadline:

• This position will be posted until 11:59:59 pm MDT on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Required application materials: (preferably uploaded as a PDF)

• Resume
• Questionnaire (embedded in application)

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.
Work Location: This position requires fully onsite presence at the Foothills Lab 2 building/cafeteria in Boulder, CO.full on-site

What You Will Do

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS

• Work hours including mornings & afternoons for day-to-day operations, and evenings & weekends for special functions
• Assist in food preparation for daily cafe operations - ensuring variety, quality, and safe handling of ingredients
• Ensure food production amounts are met with minimal waste
• Organize and setup all areas of workstation and service line
• Understand portion size and plate presentation
• Ensure a positive cafe experience by serving customers in a timely and appropriately friendly manner
• Attend pre-shift meetings with Chef & back-of-house (BOH) staff, when requested
• Assist with food delivery check-in, and storage
• Practice safe cleanliness & sanitation
• Operate point of sale (POS) system
• Short order grill cooking to include full scope of breakfast and lunch
• Assist staff by sharing knowledge of recipes, preparation, equipment, or procedure

SPECIAL EVENTS, CONFERENCES, & CATERINGS

   In addition to day-to-day duties

• Assist in preparation of a variety of food items for special functions which may include appetizers, entrees, salads, and desserts as directed by Chef and requested on banquet event order
• Attend pre-event meetings with Chef & catering staff, when requested
• Assist with food presentation & displays
• Assist with closing responsibilities to include proper food storage, cleaning & sanitizing

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education and Experience:

• At least two years’ experience in the food service industry
• ServSafe certified, or ability to successfully obtain certification
• High School diploma or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to multitask in a high-volume, customer-oriented, deadline-driven environment
• Ability to process & prioritize information received from a variety of sources
• Ability to comprehend & follow recipes
• Willingness to work with all products and ingredients
• Ability to exhibit good self-management skills - ensuring quality output with minimal supervision
• Effectively communicate with the team to help ensure overall morale and productivity
• Ability to work both independently, and as an effective member of a team
• Attention to the detail of daily kitchen operations, to include traffic flow and team needs
• Knowledge of hot and cold food preparation to include appetizers, salad items, entrees, desserts, etc.
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment to include slicers, steamers, food processors, ovens, fryers, etc.
• Knowledge of math to determine serving sizes, and to estimate quantities of food to prepare
• Ability to follow safe practices in food safety, sanitation, and service - ServSafe certified preferred
• Knowledge of POS system and sales transaction basics
• Capable of a professional appearance, demeanor, and positive outlook
• Excellent communication and customer service skills

Preferred Qualifications