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Mess Hall Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Tulk LLC

Public Affairs Officer Senior

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$160K - $192K/yr

... media measurements and metrics for both. Develop, execute, and publish a high volume of public ... Serve as Secretary to the Hall of Fame Selection Board. * Plan, publicize and oversee the annual ...

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Mess Hall information

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How much do mess hall jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for mess hall in Virginia is $16.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.96 and $18.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mess hall?

A Mess Hall job typically involves working in a military or institutional dining facility, where duties include food preparation, serving meals, cleaning, and maintaining kitchen equipment. Workers ensure that meal service runs smoothly, often following strict sanitary and operational guidelines. These roles may be filled by military personnel, contractors, or civilian employees, depending on the facility.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in a mess hall?

Those working in a Mess Hall are responsible for a variety of tasks, including preparing and serving meals, maintaining cleanliness in dining and kitchen areas, and ensuring proper food storage and sanitation. Employees often handle food preparation, set up serving lines, monitor inventory, and assist with dishwashing and equipment cleaning. Teamwork is common, as staff must collaborate to ensure timely service and uphold hygiene standards. The fast-paced environment means adaptability and attention to detail are important. This role is essential in supporting the well-being and morale of the entire community or organization served by the mess hall.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the mess hall position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Mess Hall position, you need strong organizational and food service skills, basic food safety knowledge, and the ability to maintain cleanliness in high-volume environments. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, sanitation protocols, and relevant food handler certifications is typically required. Excellent teamwork, communication skills, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are highly valued in this role. These skills are essential for ensuring a safe, smooth-running facility and providing quality service to all personnel.

What are popular job titles related to Mess Hall jobs in Virginia?

For Mess Hall jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Mess Hall jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Mess Hall jobs in Virginia are:

Mess Hall jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mess Hall job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,979 per year, or $16.8 per hour.

2026-2027 School Cook-Dining Hall

Norfolk, VA

Saint Patrick Catholic School
See more jobs at Saint Patrick Catholic Schoolexternal

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Cook, Dining Services

Department: Staff

Position: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

Effective: 8/1/2026

Saint Patrick Catholic School is currently seeking a Full-Time School Cook for the Dining Hall. This is a 35-hour per week position, and the hours will be set with the supervisor at hire between 6am-2pm Monday-Friday.


Overview

Founded in 2005, Saint Patrick Catholic School (Norfolk, Virginia) is an independent Catholic school with an enrollment of approximately 400 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight. Boasting a vibrant and accomplished team of educators, the school encourages students to develop a growth mindset while creating an educational framework focused on reinforcing six "pillars" of education that support the whole formation of each student.


Faculty Expectations

  • Model faith and service to the community
  • Uphold the school's vision of being authentically Catholic and warmly ecumenical
  • Collaborate with faculty, staff and students to establish servant leadership opportunities
  • Promote a culture of respect for all members of the community


Responsibilities

  • Cooks and prepares a variety of food according to production guidelines and standardized recipes
  • Sets up workstation with all needed ingredients and equipment
  • Prepares ingredients by measuring, weighing, mixing, chopping, trimming, and peeling food items
  • Safely uses a variety of utensils including knives
  • Operates equipment such as ovens, stoves, steamers, slicers, choppers, mixers, dishwasher, and other food service and mechanical equipment
  • Bakes, roasts, broils, steams, and uses a variety of cooking methods on meat, vegetables, and other foods
  • Arranges, garnishes, and portions food according to established guidelines
  • Properly stores food by adhering to food safety policies and procedures
  • Cleans and sanitizes work areas, equipment, and utensils
  • Adheres to safety policies and procedures, including accurate food safety and sanitation
  • Assist with serving during lunch service
  • Work with the Food Service Manager in estimating and ordering food supplies
  • Attend regular faculty and department meetings and contribute to teamwork and positive morale
  • Participate in faith formation experiences
  • Perform other duties as directed by school administration


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience as a cook or in a related role
  • Knowledge of the basic principles of food preparation, various cooking methods, and food safety regulations such as accurate food handling, sanitation, and storage
  • Knowledge of special dietary requirements
  • Must be able to acquire food safety certification
  • Demonstrate basic math and counting skills
  • Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Committed to serving as a role model for students


Education and Experience

  • 2 years of related experience and/or training
  • Food Handler Certification Required
  • Experience with large events a plus!


Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Employer-paid - Life insurance, STD, LTD
  • 403B Retirement Plan with up to 5% employer match
  • Holidays, personal days, sick time
  • Summers off


This role may have physical demands including, but not limited to, lifting (up to 40 lbs.), bending, pushing, pulling and/or extended walking and standing. This role may also require uniforms and/or usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).


Saint Patrick Catholic School is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for positions without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.

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