Commercial Production Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Dining Services-Service Production Assistant

The University of Lynchburg, a private, regional university in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia, is seeking applicants for Temporary Dining Services Service Production Assistant position in Dining Services.

This position reports to, is supervised by, and evaluated by the Dining Services Manager. The evaluation of work performance will be ongoing and will be carried out by the Production Assistant. It will include the specific duties and responsibilities of this position description plus employee attitude and general working behavior.

Job Type: Temporary (Non-Benefits Eligible)

Job Purpose: Provides scheduled or "as needed" assistance in food production and/or service areas for dining operations.

Specific Job Duties:

• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness in all food preparation, service, and dining areas in compliance with Virginia Department of Health regulations.
• Provide support across all Dining Services operations, including dish room, utility, beverage station, food production, serving line, and catering, as operational needs require.
• Prepare the dish room for service prior to each meal by ensuring equipment and workstations are clean, organized, and ready for operation.
• Load and operate commercial dishwashing equipment to maximize cleaning efficiency while minimizing breakage of dishware, glassware, and utensils.
• Inspect all cleaned items to ensure quality standards are met before returning them to designated storage or service areas.
• Maintain cleanliness of dishwashing equipment by cleaning conveyor belts, dish accumulators, and both the interior and exterior of machines after each meal.
• Assist with draining, disassembling, and thoroughly cleaning dishwashing equipment at the end of each day.
• Clean and sanitize floors, walls, tables, and other dining room surfaces after each meal service.
• Vacuum and maintain dining room floors to ensure a clean, welcoming environment.
• Routinely monitor dish room and dining areas for cleanliness, promptly removing litter, debris, and trash and transporting waste to designated collection areas.
• Assist with the setup, service, and breakdown of catered events and special functions.
• Participate in required training related to food safety, chemical handling, equipment operation, and workplace safety.
• Assist in the preparation of baked goods and specialty bakery items for student dining and catered events in accordance with established recipes, production schedules, and batch cooking procedures.
• Support food production by following standardized recipes, preparation procedures, and supervisor instructions.
• Assist serving line staff during peak service periods to ensure efficient customer service.
• Ensure all hot foods are maintained and served at proper hot holding temperatures and all cold foods are maintained and served at proper cold holding temperatures in accordance with food safety standards.
• Maintain organized storage areas by properly stocking, labeling, and rotating inventory using First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory practices.
• Perform daily setup, breakdown, cleaning, and sanitation of kitchen equipment, workstations, and production areas.
• Promptly report equipment malfunctions, maintenance concerns, safety hazards, or sanitation issues to the appropriate supervisor.
• Demonstrate flexibility by performing other related duties and responsibilities as assigned to support Dining Services operations.

Starting Salary: $13.00-$14.00 an hour

Schedule:

• Flexibility to include nights and weekends is required.  Overtime may be necessary due to time pressures.

Experience/Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively and have the ability to understand, comprehend and follow directions
• Must have good teamwork skills

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged standing/setting/wrist movement
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.
• Confined work areas with humid, extreme temperature ranges.
• Frequent exposure to various cleaning chemicals, smoke, spices and odors

• Commercial dish machine
• Dish carts
• Vacuum cleaner

• Hot and cold food service wells and holding units
• Temperature probes
• Frozen dessert machines
• Commercial dining services equipment
• Utility carts
• Golf cart
• Standard commercial kitchen equipment

Employees are expected to understand, follow, and comply with applicable departmental policies and regulatory requirements, including:

• Dining Services Operations Manual
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations
• State and local Health Department regulations
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) / Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements
• Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (VA ABC) guidelines, as applicable
• Employee Handbook and Personnel Policies and Procedures

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working in food service operations preferred, but not required

Education: 

• High school equivalent and experience 

Work Remotely:

• No

We seek candidates who are committed to the University of Lynchburg’s efforts to create an environment that fosters a student-centered environment, develops the breadth of knowledge associated with liberal education, respects and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, values and celebrates diverse faith traditions, and sustains close working relationships among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.

Candidates must successfully pass a background check that is satisfactory to the University. 

Submit a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to: 

Human Resources Jobs Page

The University of Lynchburg is dedicated to inclusive excellence. We celebrate the diversity of our common life, affirming our different histories, realities, and identities. All belong here. 

As a testament to our strong commitment to accessibility, diversity, and inclusion, we will attract, celebrate, and retain a community of diverse students, staff, and faculty; foster belonging; and create a campus environment that embraces civil discourse and accountability for our words and actions. 

The University of Lynchburg embraces diversity in its broadest sense. We will cultivate an inclusive, equitable, and safe campus climate grounded in mutual respect and understanding, where all members of our diverse learning community - alumni, employees, learners, visitors, and volunteers- can thrive. 

The University of Lynchburg is an equal-opportunity employer.