Entry Level Machine Operator Jobs in Spring Valley, CA

Payroll Title:
COOK Department:
HOUSING/DINING/HOSPITALITY Hiring Pay Scale
$26.87 an hour Worksite:
Various Appointment Type:
Partial Year Career Appointment Percent:
70%% Union:
SX Contract Total Openings:
10 Work Schedule:
Variable, 8 hrs/day, Variable
#140767 Cook
Filing Deadline: Wed 8/19/2026
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UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.
UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment : Apply by 08/10/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.
Reassignment Applicants : Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Join the Residential, Retail and Supply Chain Services (RRSS) team at UC San Diego, a dynamic and innovative campus department dedicated to delivering exceptional service to the university community. As a valued RRSS team member, you will be contributing to a broad and complex organization consisting of five key units: Housing, Dining and Hospitality (HDH), Integrated Procure-to-Pay Solutions (IPPS), the UC San Diego Bookstore, Triton Print & Digital Media, and the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC). With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, RRSS aims to inclusively meet the diverse needs of the UC San Diego community while fostering a sense of belonging for our students and staff. As a member of the HDH team, you will be part of a self-funded unit with over 1,200 staff employees, over 2,000 student employees, and an annual operating budget of $371 million, providing housing and dining services to over 20,000 students, faculty, staff, and their families. At UC San Diego, we believe a job is more than just employment - it's a chance to be part of something meaningful. Along with competitive pay, we offer outstanding benefits, retirement plans, and a supportive environment that encourages both professional development and personal growth. Benefits begin on your first day! For Dining positions, we also provide a daily meal allowance.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Under supervision, responsible for performing journeyman-level food preparation techniques in a campus kitchen. Provide training to staff and student employees in entry-level cooking duties. Performs simple culinary duties, such as preparing food at a short grill, grab-and-go items, made-to-order stations, making salad dressings/sauces, and cleaning and preparing produce, serving up to 1,500 meals per shift. Ensures that high standards of food quality, service, sanitation, and safety are maintained at all times. Follow recipes and adhere to strict food safety and allergen procedures.
QUALIFICATIONS

• Three (3) years of experience in food preparation and general maintenance in a kitchen or dining area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with standardized recipes and production sheets.
• Skills in and knowledge of related food service functions such as safety and sanitation, production methods, and equipment maintenance.
• Ability to safely operate and maintain food service equipment. Skill in operating equipment such as mixers, food processors, slicers, blenders, impingers, gas range, flat top grill, char broiler, hot wells, deep fat fryers, rotisseries, Rheon machines, woks, sauté pans, steamers, and kettles.
• Experience in food preparation techniques.
• Problem solving skills to handle situations such as staff shortages, product failures or utility equipment failures.
• Ability to conduct training programs for staff and student employees.
• Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions with little supervision.
• Ability to measure dry and liquid food Items in units of measurement such as cup, pint, quart, pound, and oz to properly adhere to recipe and production requirements.
• Ability to read, write, perform basic arithmetic calculations, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to lift 25 to 50 pounds.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with customers, students, staff, faculty and guests.
• Ability to accurately complete and maintain paperwork, including temperature logs and production records.
• Must be able to comply with all food handler procedures required by federal and state laws and department requirements.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• 70% Variable position, employees may be subject to furlough and/or curtailment (i.e., winter holiday break).
• Job offer is contingent on clear Background Check.
• Operating needs of the department require varied work schedules, (i.e., a.m., p.m., and/or weekend shifts and/or 10-hour workday).
• Health codes require prescribed uniform, hair covering, and good personal hygiene.
• Meal schedules require extreme attention to promptness and excellent attendance. Meal perquisite is required for all Dining Services employees.

CANRA Mandated Reporter: This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and requires immediate reporting of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect of anyone under the age of 18.
Pay Transparency Act
Annual Full Pay Range: $56,105 - $69,718 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: $26.87 - $33.39
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
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If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community .
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace