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Food Service Supervisor 1 - SURC Kitchen
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Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA (In Person)
Full-Time
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Job Description
Job ID:
7423 Job Summary Central Washington University is recruiting a Food Service Supervisor 1 to join our SURC Kitchen team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a 10.5-month cyclic, campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.Who we are:
We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams. Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students. Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus. Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A What we offer: Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program.Learn more:
Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator .The Role:
The primary responsibility of this position is to oversee the food quality, service standards, and culinary execution, within Student Union Dining Operations. This role actively supervises daily kitchen and front of house operations, ensures proper food preparation, presentation, and safe handling in high-volume campus dining environments. The Food Service Supervisor coordinates and supports multiple service periods or events simultaneously, maintaining smooth workflow and exceptional guest service. This position is responsible for training and guiding student employees and staff in station setup, sanitation practices, efficient service execution, recipe adherence, and culinary techniques. The supervisor also monitors employee performance, schedules, verifies hours worked, and provides ongoing coaching to support growth and accountability. In alignment with Central Washington University's vision, mission, and values, CWU Dining Services plays a key role in supporting these principles while also upholding our department's own vision, mission, and values. Our vision is to be a key campus partner in promoting the growth of our community through shared culinary and educational experiences. As a member of Dining Services, you will be directly involved in these efforts and are expected to embody both the university, and department, vision, mission, and values in your work. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.Job Duties Operations & Customer Service:
- Assigns tasks and monitors daily operations according to e stablished guidelines, procedures, and policies.
- Ensures employees have necessary resources, including ingredients, equipment, and tools for proper food preparation and service.
- Maintains consistent oversight of food quality, presentation and cleanliness of display areas, ensure proper allergen labeling. Takes immediate action to address and resolve issues.
- Verify that adequate quantities of food are prepared, merchandised and presented on service lines in accordance with quality and safety standards.
- Uses huddles, end-of-shift reports, coaching, and feedback to clearly communicate information and uphold consistent operational practices among staff and students.
- Identifies potential safety hazards, such as malfunctioning equipment or unsafe work practices, and takes corrective action to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Submits facilities work orders for equipment of building repairs.
- Monitors ware-washing activities to ensure dishes, utensils and kitchen tools are properly cleaned and sanitized; direct and assist in proper cleanup of all kitchen, service and dining areas.
- Monitor attendance and enter callouts in When to Work, note absences on posted schedules. Communicates attendance concerns to leadership.
- Performs timekeeping and attendance tracking for student employees, reviews entries for accuracy, processes and approves payroll in compliance with university policies.
- Monitor POS terminal functionality, GrubHub, and digital menu screens.
- Reviews safety, allergen, and PCI audit results and implements necessary follow-up actions.
- Actively participates in food preparation while also overseeing production activities and providing staff with guidance, feedback, and direction.
- Responsible for actively controlling food waste and promoting sustainability efforts and goals. Monitors portioning standards.
- Maintains oversight of mise en place, workplace cleanliness, and sanitation practices throughout Holmes Dining Hall, Central Market Place, and production kitchen.
- Supervises, directs, and participates in proper and safe use, cleaning and maintenance of equipment. Is responsible for providing recommendations for equipment repair and building maintenance needs.
- Actively seeks patron feedback and responds promptly to complaints, questions, and special requests.
- Assist with monthly inventory process.
- Adheres to established emergency preparedness procedures and responds appropriately during emergency situations.
Leadership:
- Collaborates with Student Union Dining General Manager, Assistant Manager and SURC Executive Chef to ensure that goals and objectives are implemented.
- Maintains the vision, values and priorities of the department and work within the unit for alignment.
- Clearly defines performance expectations for culinary and student staff; ensures accountability and provides ongoing informal feedback.
- Encourages professional development by providing opportunities for culinary skill enhancement, food safety training, and leadership growth for staff and students.
- Cultivates a supportive and collaborative environment, encouraging motivation, engagement, and teamwork across both kitchen and front-of-house staff.
- Recognizes employees for good performance and acknowledges their efforts in huddles and EON shift reports.
- Participates in the recruitment, interviewing, and selection of student coordinators and managers, providing recommendations based on observed performance.
- Directs staff on unit operation policies and procedures.
- Leads by example in professional behavior through adherence to Campus and Dining Services' policies, procedures, and leadership directives.
- Maintains visibility and accessibility in kitchen and service areas with customers, students and staff.
Training:
- Oversees training and onboarding processes, evaluates staff and student performance, and communicates achievements and improvement areas to leadership.
- Trains and supervises staff on proper safe food-handling practices, including temperature control, efficient preparation, preventing cross-contamination, adhering to allergen protocols, preparing allergen-specific orders, and ensuring correct product storage.
- Provides coaching, feedback, and mentorship to help team members build efficiency, speed, and operational knowledge.
- Adjusts coaching, communication, and training methods based on staff skill levels and situational needs to drive results, strengthen team capability, and support continuous improvement.
- Educates team members on sanitation practices and safety requirements, to maintain regulatory and departmental standards.
Other Duties:
- Participates as needed in campus special events.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Special Conditions of Employment:
Must have or be eligible to obtain WA State Food Handler's permit within 30 days of initial hire date. Must be able to obtainSERVSAFE
Certification within 6 months of initial hire date.Preferred Qualifications:
Two or more years of supervisory experience in a commercial kitchen, foodservice operation, or high-volume dining environment. Demonstrated ability to train, coach and mentor students in culinary techniques, food safety, and service standards. Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook or similar software Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds. Ability to incorporate a variety of perspectives and relevant societal issues into everyday conversations.Competencies Accountability/Dependability:
Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.Judgement:
Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.Teamwork:
Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.Adaptability/Flexibility:
Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives. Commitment toBelonging:
Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive. Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule Salary :
This position is based on the range 41 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum monthly salary of $3,738 and maximum monthly of $4,980 ( This reflects the state salary range adjustments that take effect July 1, 2026). In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.Schedule/Appointment :
Varies / 10.5-month cyclic / (for more detailed information regarding cyclic appointments click link: CWU Cyclic Leave)Working Conditions :
Work is performed primarily indoors, at times in hot/cold/noisy/wet areas with some exposure to hazardous equipment and products. Working in temperatures from 0 degrees (freezer) to 350+ degrees (around cooking equipment) is common. Work requires walking and/or standing (often in a stationary position) for most of each shift. Bending/climbing/carrying/pulling/pushing/lifting associated with loading/unloading of supplies and preparation, plating and serving of food is required. Occasional overtime is required, and shift work may be required. Additional physical requirements of the position includes pushing utility and hand carts with up to 150 lbs. of supplies to various work stations; correctly lifting up to 35 lbs. individually from the floor or shelf locations to heights of 48" so products can be poured into smaller containers or put on work tables.- This position requires working a schedule that varies based on business needs.
Benefits :
CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator . An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program . How To Apply To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach: A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting; Resume including work history, education, training; and Contact information for three professional references.Screening Begins:
July 14, 2026- Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date.
Contact Information Name:
Lynnette Wood Title:
General Manager, Student Union Dining Email:
Lynnette.Wood@cwu.edu