Job Description:
The Catering Operations Assistant performs and leads event setups, breakdowns and performs other tasks necessary for the successful execution of catering events. Provides leadership, assistance & guidance to other catering hourly staff, both servers as well as utility. Responsible for general cleanliness & upkeep of all catering work areas.
Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.
Essential Functions:
- Assists in training & directing of non-exempt, student and other part-time staff for the support of catered events. Provides leadership to wait-staff for execution of multi-course dinners when requested by management.
- Understands and interprets catering event sheets to successfully prepare, setup & execute catering events. Guides colleagues in desired setup requirements to ensure that all event details are understood & proper preparation is made to execute events according to specifications.
- Provides clients with excellent customer service, accommodating needs and desires when possible. Maintains effective working relationships with repeat catering clients.
- Performs and leads event cleanup in a timely manner following dining procedures.
- Ensures compliance with policies and/or laws within the department, university, and the VA Alcohol Beverage Control, in regards of the service of alcoholic beverages.
- Accurately records consumption of alcohol, food consumption, items used & any other event notes at the conclusion of events.
- Assists management in ensuring that other staff both part time & full time understand Virginia Board of Health and dining Services policies and procedures. Leads staff in compliance with dress code and personal hygiene standards for catering. Responsible for cleanliness of catering vehicles and staff adherence to catering vehicle rules and regulations.
- Assists in the management of catering inventories and the organization of service ware, alcohol, paper products and catering décor.
- Responsible for general upkeep & cleaning schedule of all coffee & tea machines in addition to other standard catering service equipment.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: High School degree required with 1-2 years experience working in a hospitality industry environment, preferably in catering. Must be able to work evenings, weekends and some holidays and adhere to a flexible schedule based on unit requirements. An Understanding of VA Dept. of Health sanitation and ABC requirements is preferred. Must have strong communications skills and be able to communicate effectively with co-workers, management, students, faculty and staff. Must possess situation awareness & must be able to multi-task. Professional appearance, positive attitude and a team focus are necessary qualities within this role. Ability to read & understand catering documents & follow detailed instructions. Must be Serve Safe certified or be certified within six months of hire date. Must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license and a good driving history. Must be able to pass an extensive background check.
The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.
Application Instructions:
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. Cover letter and resume are optional. If you upload a resume, the application system will try to auto-fill your employment history and you may adjust this in the application questionnaire. You will be asked to provide contact information for professional references in the application questionnaire
Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Do not apply from the website. Log in to Workday. Click on the Career Application, search Find Jobs, and open Find Jobs or Tasks and Reports. Locate the position and click Apply. Update your Education and Job History, and provide three professional references in the appropriate boxes. Refer to this Job Aid for additional guidance.
External Applicants: Complete the online application form. The online application form requires you provide names and contact information for three professional references, such as a current or former supervisor.
Physical Requirements:
- Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
- Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
- Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
- Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
- Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
- Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
- Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
- Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
- Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
- Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
Working Conditions:
- The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
- The worker is subject to vibration: Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.
- The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
- The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.
Types of Work: Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Work Schedule: Varying hours. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling responsibilities and in meeting the needs of Washington and Lee University Dining Services.
Benefit Eligible
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Weekly Hours: 40
Minimum Pay: $17.09
Pay commensurate with experience.
