The Café Operations Assistant supports the daily operations of the campus café while assisting in creating a positive and professional learning environment for students within the School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. This position provides operational support in food preparation, customer service, café production, sanitation, inventory management, and point-of-sale operations. The Café Operations Assistant will help maintain operational standards, support student engagement, and ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation procedures in accordance with local and state health department guidelines.
DEPARTMENT
School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
REPORTS TO
Café Manager / Department Chair / Culinary Faculty
POSITION STATUS
Part-Time Hourly Position
COMPENSATION
$15.00/hr
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist with daily café opening and closing procedures
- Support food production, prep work, and basic culinary operations
- Maintain proper food handling, sanitation, and safety standards
- Operate and assist with Point of Sale (POS) system transactions
- Assist with inventory control, product rotation, and PAR-level monitoring
- Monitor and document proper food temperature controls and storage procedures
- Demonstrate and apply proper knife skills and safe equipment handling
- Assist with stocking, labeling, dating, and organization of café products
- Support café cleanliness and organization, including kitchen and service areas
- Assist students during hands-on learning experiences within the café environment
- Provide professional customer service to students, faculty, staff, and guests
- Assist with catering preparation and campus hospitality events as needed
- Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and café leadership regarding operational needs
- Follow all Ivy Tech policies, procedures, and hospitality standards
WORK SCHEDULE
- Approximately 12 hours weekly
- Flexible scheduling based on café operational needs and campus events
- Some evening or special event hours may be required
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
This position supports the experiential learning model within the School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management by assisting with real-world café operations that enhance student engagement, technical skill development, and hospitality professionalism.
Classification:
N2 QUALIFICATIONS
- Culinary Arts, Hospitality, or food service experience preferred
- Basic understanding of café, restaurant, or hospitality operations
- Experience using POS systems preferred
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation procedures
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced educational and food service environment
- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 40 pounds
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
- Current ServSafe Food Handler or ServSafe Manager Certification required
- Must maintain all required local and state food safety compliance standards
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Basic knife skills and culinary preparation techniques
- Inventory and product organization experience
- Customer service and hospitality experience
- Time management and multitasking abilities
- Understanding of temperature logs and food safety monitoring Ivy Tech is committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and financial security of our part-time employees.
These benefits include:
Health & Wellness Access to a comprehensive vision care plan with low-cost exams and allowances for glasses or contact lenses Employee Assistance Program offering no cost confidential counseling sessions, legal consultations, financial planning consultations, and other resources Financial & Retirement Benefits All employees can contribute pre-tax or post-tax dollars through payroll deduction to build retirement savings Educational Benefits Fee remission for employees, spouses, and legal dependents. For more information on Ivy Tech Benefits, visit https://careers.ivytech.edu/benefits. Ivy Tech Community College is an accredited, equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age or veteran status. As required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Ivy Tech Community College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions. Questions specific to Title IX may be referred to the College's Title IX Coordinator or to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. At Ivy Tech, you'll be part of something bigger, where collaboration fuels innovation, learning is a shared journey, and meaningful goals become life-changing achievements. As Indiana's only full-fledged community college, we're deeply rooted in our mission to empower students, strengthen communities, and support one another every step of the way. No matter your role, you'll be valued, supported, and inspired because here, people come first. Our faculty and staff are united by purpose, driven by passion, and proud of the difference we make together. Join a team where your work matters. Discover your potential. Make your impact. Ivy Tech is the largest singly accredited community college system in the nation. Providing education across Indiana, we motivate and inspire students as they pursue their futures. To achieve this, it takes a community of over 6,500 employees in 75 locations. Competitive benefits and professional development programs The most advanced technologies in our classrooms and training facilities Collaborative and innovative culture with a focus on creativity and employee belonging Commitment to adapting to meet Indiana's workforce needs and fostering a sustainable, inclusive workplace