OCC Cook/Dining Hall Associate

Ozark Christian College is a single-purpose Bible college in Joplin, Missouri.

Position Title: Cook/Dining Hall Associate
Department: Dining Services
Reports to: Dining Services Director

The mission of OCC Dining Services is to encourage physical wholeness by providing high-quality, nutritious food and excellent Christ-centered service at an exceptional value for our students, staff, and guests. Institutional Goals supported by Department: IG 3, 4, 5

*This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA), and will be required to participate in CSA training, and is required to immediately forward all reports of Clery Act crimes brought to their attention to the Clery Compliance Officer.

A. Summary
The Dining Hall Cook prepares and presents great-tasting food for all Dining Hall consumers. The cook, in cooperation with all Dining Hall staff, will ensure that we maintain the highest sanitation and safety standards as determined by Health Department regulations. The cook’s role will be essential in serving consumers safe, healthy meals, as determined by the Dining Hall Director. This is a fast-paced role requiring a collaborative team spirit and strong leadership skills.

B. Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Help plan, prepare, and execute great-tasting, nutritious meals for Ozark’s community—primarily students, but also staff, faculty, and outside guests.

2. Ensure all recipes, procedures, storage, labeling, rotation, and product specifications are followed daily to ensure guests dine on high-quality meals.

3. Ensure food is served with the highest quality in a timely fashion.

4. Maintain quantity and quality of all food being served according to the daily need as well as some banquet preparation for a larger scale of consumers.

5. Ensure a meticulously clean and safe food preparation area in accordance with all Health Department guidelines.

6. Manage student workers to keep them on task and ensure they complete their duties.

7. Be responsible for informing the director of equipment needs and repairs.

8. Oversee quantity and quality of taco bar food/prep.

9. Perform other duties as assigned.

C. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Recipe knowledge and comfortability to follow recipe directions at a fast pace

2. Ability to multiply a recipe to increase the yield for events and larger luncheons

3. Ability to adhere to all safety protocol in every aspect of food preparation and cooking

4. Positive and optimistic approach to problem-solving and ability to gently but firmly lead others

5. Able to slice and dice foods with precision to ensure the utmost safety to oneself as well as others

D. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements 

1. Experience in using standard kitchen preparation items, including cutting tools, bakeware, and ovens

2. Knowledge of various cooking procedures and methods, such as boiling, grilling, baking, and frying

3. One year prior knowledge of various cooking and baking procedures and methods

4. Ability to follow all sanitation procedures to ensure clean work areas with little to no continued direction while maintaining all chemical safety protocols

5. Collaborative team spirit and ability to resolve conflict quickly

6. Ability to communicate effectively and clearly when giving direction

7. High school diploma or equivalent

8. Diploma from a culinary school would yield a great advantage to the candidate

E. Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position will function primarily in a kitchen setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle various kitchen objects, and engage in two-way communication. The Dining Hall Cook is required to reach with hands and arms, carry varying weights up to 50 pounds, and continuously use hand strength to grasp utensils and carry pots and pans. This position will require squatting, stooping, kneeling, reaching above the head, and reaching out to the side and in front of their body. This position will regularly require bending and twisting at the neck and trunk. This position also requires standing for extended periods while maintaining a satisfactory work pace. The employee may occasionally work with toxic chemicals such as degreasers and sprays and must be able to exercise extreme chemical safety to ensure their well-being as well as that of other staff. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, and this position will need the ability to concentrate and remain on task at all times while preparing meals.

This is a full-time position. To apply, submit the OCC application, cover letter, and resume to [email protected].

CAMPUS SAFETY

In compliance with the Clery Act, Ozark Christian College publishes annual reports containing information about crime prevention, reporting policies, crime statistics and other safety and security-related information. The College also maintains daily crime and fire logs. To view OCC’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report go to occ.edu/security. Hard copies are also available upon request at the Ozark Christian College Student Affairs Office (1111 North Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER

Ozark Christian College is affiliated with Christian churches and churches of Christ. Its mission is to train men and women for Christian service. The college seeks to educate and hire individuals who share its core values to accomplish its mission. It is the intent of the college to create and promote a diverse workforce consistent with its stated goals and mission.

It is the policy of Ozark Christian College not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission and access to educational opportunities, programs, activities, or employment as applicable to ministries in section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended and implementing regulations. Ozark Christian College conducts all background screenings in compliance with applicable Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines and all federal and state laws and regulations. 

As a religious educational institution, Ozark Christian College reserves the right to make employment decisions based on religion, marital status, or sex consistent with the college’s religious beliefs. Further, as a Christian ministry, the college has the right to select those who serve in ministerial positions based on criteria established by the college.