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Mess Attendant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CW is hiring a Mess Attendant/Food Service Worker to help keep military dining areas clean, organized, and running smoothly. No experience is required--just reliability, a positive attitude, and a ...

CW is hiring a Mess Attendant/Food Service Worker to help keep military dining areas clean, organized, and running smoothly. No experience is required--just reliability, a positive attitude, and a ...

Food Service Worker

Fort Drum, NY

$13.75 - $16.75/hr

CW is hiring a Mess Attendant/Food Service Worker to help keep military dining areas clean, organized, and running smoothly. No experience is required--just reliability, a positive attitude, and a ...

Food Service Worker & Driver

ND · On-site

$15.50 - $21.25/hr

Day in the Life of a Mess Attendant & Driver: * Inspect the shuttle for safety and cleanliness. * Pick up employees from assigned locations. * Transport passengers safely and on time. * Check in with ...

Check for safety measures to be taken on an on-going basis for client and attendant protection. Special Attendant Qualifications: * Six continuous months of experience in delivering personal care ...

Check for safety measures to be taken on an on-going basis for client and attendant protection. Why AccentCare? Special Attendant Qualifications: * Six continuous months of experience in delivering ...

Special Attendant

South Holland, IL · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Check for safety measures to be taken on an on-going basis for client and attendant protection. Qualifications Special Attendant Qualifications: * Six continuous months of experience in delivering ...

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Mess Attendant information

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$5

$15

$16

How much do mess attendant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for mess attendant in the United States is $15.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $15.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Mess Attendants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Mess Attendants often work in fast-paced environments where maintaining cleanliness and timely meal service is critical. Common challenges include managing large volumes of dishes during peak meal times, adhering to strict hygiene standards, and coordinating with kitchen and serving staff to ensure smooth operations. Effective time management, clear communication, and a strong attention to detail help Mess Attendants overcome these challenges, ensuring a positive dining experience for all. Teamwork is essential, as Mess Attendants frequently collaborate with cooks, servers, and supervisors throughout their shifts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mess Attendant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mess Attendant, you need knowledge of food handling, basic cleaning techniques, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, sanitation standards, and sometimes food safety certifications are typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and customer service skills help you stand out in this role. These abilities ensure efficient meal service, a clean dining environment, and positive guest experiences, which are essential for smooth mess hall operations.

What are Mess Attendants?

Mess Attendants are support staff responsible for maintaining cleanliness and order in dining facilities, particularly in settings like military bases, ships, or institutional cafeterias. Their duties typically include setting up dining areas, serving food, cleaning tables and kitchen equipment, and ensuring food safety standards are met. Mess Attendants play a crucial role in providing a sanitary and organized environment for meal service. They may also assist with inventory, restocking supplies, and sometimes basic food preparation. The position requires attention to detail, good hygiene practices, and the ability to work as part of a team.

What is the difference between Mess Attendant vs Steward?

AspectMess AttendantSteward
CredentialsBasic training, hospitality or food service experienceSimilar credentials, often with food safety certifications
Work EnvironmentMilitary mess halls, naval ships, or institutional kitchensHotels, restaurants, cruise ships, and catering services
Employer & IndustryMilitary, naval, or institutional settingsHospitality, cruise lines, and catering industries
Job ResponsibilitiesServing meals, cleaning dining areas, maintaining hygieneServing food and beverages, assisting in dining service, maintaining cleanliness

Both Mess Attendants and Stewards work in food service environments, focusing on maintaining cleanliness and assisting with meal service. While Mess Attendants are primarily found in military or institutional settings, Stewards are common in hospitality and cruise industries. Their roles overlap in serving and cleaning, but the specific work environment and employer type distinguish them.

More about Mess Attendant jobs
What states have the most Mess Attendant jobs? States with the most job openings for Mess Attendant jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Mess Attendant jobs? For Mess Attendant jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Mess Attendant job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 40% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $32,428 per year, or $15.6 per hour.
Relief Marine Steward - R/V Sikuliaq (Temporary)

Relief Marine Steward - R/V Sikuliaq (Temporary)

University of Alaska

Seward, AK • On-site

Temporary

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

We are currently accepting applications for temporary relief staff in the Steward's Department, including Cook/bakers and Mess Attendants. The temporary reliefs will fill in when the regular crew are on shore. Applications will be reviewed on an as-needed basis.
Applicants interested in the Cook/baker role should have the ability and experience to prepare nutritional meals for 46 personnel according to daily planned menus, with attention to special dietary restrictions. Applicants should also be able to perform cooking duties under adverse weather conditions. Strong organizational skills are required, as the position maintains inventories of food, equipment, and supplies. Strong attention to food safety and sanitation, as well as robust interpersonal skills are a must!
Applicants interested in the Mess Attendant role should have the ability and skill to operate on-board galley equipment, and the ability to ensure the clean, sanitary and safe condition of all galley spaces, food refrigerators, freezers, and food service-related equipment. Applicants should be able to maintain high standards of food safety and sanitation in compliance with CDC/FDA vessel sanitation requirements, and have computer skills capable of creating documents and inventory spreadsheets. The ability to deliver outstanding customer service on a consistent basis is a must!
Minimum Qualifications:
Cook/Baker
Degree from an accredited culinary school or, in the absence of a formal degree, equivalent combination of progressively responsible food and baking training and experience. Applicants must possess a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner's Credential endorsed as Food Handler. ServSafe food handling training is also required, in addition to Basic Safety Training (BST) and Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF). The following unexpired documents are also required: U.S. Passport, TWIC card, unexpired (STCW Expiration date) USCG medical certification, and a valid drivers license. Applicants must also be able to pass a pre-employment DOT drug test.
Mess Attendant
Applicants must possess a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner's Credential endorsed as Food Handler. ServSafe food handling training is also required, in addition to Basic Safety Training (BST) and Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF). The following unexpired documents are also required: U.S. Passport, TWIC card, unexpired (STCW Expiration date) USCG medical certification, and a valid drivers license. Applicants must also be able to pass a pre-employment DOT drug test.
Preferred experience:
Cook/Baker
Prefer two years of progressive work experience responsible aboard a marine vessel as a cook/baker, or equivalent training and experience. Computer proficiency in use of word-processing and inventory management. Must have good organizational skills, the ability to plan ahead, and understand the relationship of all galley functions to the overall morale of the vessel.
Mess Attendant
Prefer six months work experience aboard a marine vessel as a crew member, or equivalent training and experience. Computer proficiency in use of word-processing and inventory management. Must have good organizational skills, the ability to plan ahead, and understand the relationship of all galley functions to the overall morale of the vessel.
Position Details:
New hires will be placed on the UA Temporary Salary Schedule , Grade 76 (Mess Attendant) or Grade 77 (Cook/Baker) based on education and experience.
This is a pooled position and applications are reviewed as needed. Submission of an application does not guarantee review or a job offer.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please include the following documents with your application:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • The names and contact information (email address and phone number) for three (3) professional references
  • Copy of your MMC (all pages)
  • Copy of your TWIC card
  • Copy of your USCG Medical Certificate
  • Copy of your passport

  • If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Sarah Walters, Sikuliaq's HR Coordinator, at skwalters@alaska.edu.
    *To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.
    The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.
    The University of Alaska ( www.alaska.edu ) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination ( www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination ) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
    The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
    Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
    *Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.
    Access to the reports is available at:
    UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety . Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu.
    UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf . Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.
    UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf . Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.

    University of Alaska logo

    About University of Alaska

    Sourced by ZipRecruiter

    The University of Alaska is a prominent player in the education industry, located in Fairbanks, AK, US. Established in 1917, it is a well-known public research university providing a range of academic programs in various spheres like research, arts, technology, and natural sciences. As part of the broader University of Alaska System, the institution thrives in fulfilling its central mission - to inspire learning and to advance and disseminate knowledge through teaching, research, and public service, emphasizing the North and its diverse peoples.

    Industry

    Colleges, universities, and professional schools

    Company size

    1,001 - 5,000 Employees

    Headquarters location

    Fairbanks, AK, US

    Year founded

    1917

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