Assistant I - Catering and Events

Part-Time Catering & Events AssistantThe Part-Time Catering & Events Assistant provides operational support for catered events and functions at Yavapai College. This position assists with food preparation, event setup, delivery, service, breakdown, and cleanup while providing professional and courteous customer service to students, employees, guests, and community members. Working under the direction of Dining Services leadership, the Catering & Events Assistant helps ensure catering orders and events are completed accurately, safely, professionally, and according to established timelines and service standards. This position requires a dependable, flexible, and service-oriented individual who can work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Work schedules will vary based on catering and event needs and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays.Job DutiesAssists with the preparation, setup, service, and breakdown of college catering events and functions.Assists with basic food preparation, portioning, plating, garnishing, and presentation according to established standards.Prepares and organizes food, beverages, serving equipment, linens, utensils, and other supplies needed for catering events.Loads, transports, delivers, and sets up catering orders at various locations throughout Yavapai College.Reviews catering orders and event instructions to help ensure all food, beverages, equipment, and supplies are complete and accurate prior to delivery.Provides professional, courteous, and responsive customer service to students, faculty, staff, guests, and community members.Serves food and beverages during catered events in accordance with established service and food safety standards.Monitors and replenishes food, beverages, utensils, and service items throughout events as needed.Assists with maintaining attractive and professional food and beverage displays throughout events.Clears tables and service areas and assists with event breakdown following the conclusion of catered functions.Cleans, washes, sanitizes, and properly stores catering equipment, serving pieces, utensils, and supplies.Maintains clean, sanitary, organized, and safe food preparation, storage, transportation, and service areas.Follows established procedures for food safety, sanitation, temperature control, allergen awareness, and prevention of cross-contamination.Assists with maintaining an organized inventory of catering supplies and communicates supply needs to the appropriate supervisor.Communicates effectively with Dining Services staff regarding event schedules, special instructions, changes, and customer needs.Works cooperatively with culinary, catering, and other college staff to ensure events are completed efficiently and professionally.Maintains a positive and professional approach when interacting with customers, coworkers, and members of the college community.Follows Yavapai College and Dining Services policies, procedures, safety requirements, and customer service standards.Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.Minimum Expectations & RequirementsHigh school diploma or GED equivalency.Food Handler Certification or ability to obtain required certification within the timeframe established by Yavapai College.Ability to follow food safety, sanitation, temperature-control, and safe food-handling procedures.Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.Effective verbal communication skills.Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.Ability to organize work, manage multiple tasks, and meet event timelines.Ability to maintain composure, professionalism, and flexibility in a busy work environment with changing priorities and time pressures.Dependable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of the position.Ability and willingness to work a flexible part-time schedule based on operational and event needs, which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays.Preferred Skills & AbilitiesPrevious experience in catering, food service, hospitality, restaurant service, banquet service, or event support.Experience working in a college, university, conference, hotel, restaurant, or institutional food service environment.Knowledge of food presentation, catering setup, and banquet or buffet service.Knowledge of food allergies, cross-contact prevention, portion control, and proper food storage.Experience providing customer service in a fast-paced environment.Essential FunctionsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and competencies listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and physical demands required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Physical DemandsWhile performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach, bend, grasp, carry, push, pull, and use hands and arms to handle food, equipment, supplies, and service items. The employee must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and safely transport food, beverages, equipment, and catering supplies between preparation and event locations. The position requires extended periods of standing and walking and may require pushing or maneuvering catering carts and equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and the ability to safely perform food preparation, setup, service, and cleaning duties.Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Work is performed in commercial kitchens, dining areas, event spaces, meeting rooms, and other locations throughout Yavapai College. The employee may be exposed to hot and cold temperatures, commercial kitchen equipment, food preparation equipment, cleaning and sanitizing products, and varying noise and activity levels. This position may require working at different campus locations depending on catering and event needs. The work schedule will vary based on operational requirements and scheduled events. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.BenefitsYavapai College offers its employees a comprehensive benefit package:Other Insurance Coverage: Workers' Compensation (compensation, medical expenses and death benefits for on-the-job injuries or occupational diseases)Unemployment Compensation: Employees who are laid off or terminated may receive benefits if covered wages meet requirementsDirect Deposit: Paychecks deposited directly into the employee's bank account(s).Additional Benefits and Services: Local community discounts to faculty and staff, mail and notary service.