Community Life Chef (HR Title: Lead Food Service Worker) - (PER00000083)

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, Texas 00000

Part Time , On-Site

Hourly Range: 

$22.91 per hour - $23.00 per hour

About SMU:

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities.SMU’s relationship with Dallas– the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About Department:

Perkins School of Theology is one of the 13 seminaries of The United Methodist Church and one of only five university-related United Methodist theological schools, located in the heart of Dallas, Texas. The faculty and staff of Perkins are committed to our mission of equipping persons for faithful leadership and Christian ministry in a changing church and society. Students study with a faculty, diverse both culturally and in theological perspective, in the School's graduate degree and certificate studies programs. Perkins is Wesleyan by tradition, United Methodist by affiliation, inclusive of diverse Christian expressions, and welcoming of all. The oldest graduate professional School at Southern Methodist University, Perkins embraces its setting in the Southwestern United States while seeking to make theological education accessible, through in-person, hybrid, and distance learning, to students from the region, the nation, and around the world.

About the Position:

The part-time Lead Food Service Worker is primarily responsible for menu planning, community lunch preparation (Tuesday-Thursday), ingredient procurement (Friday), meal prep (Mondays), snacks during welcome week, intensives weeks and finals weeks, special events, and dish/cookware/refectory cleaning after food service. 

This position works 40 weeks from August through May (30 hours per week) and two weeks over the summer in either June or July (30 hours per week) for intensives. 

The purpose of this job supports the mission of Perkins by creating community meal opportunities which allow current students, prospective students, faculty, staff, and guests to engage in conversation and learning beyond the formal classroom setting. The Lead Food Service Worker works under the supervision of the Assistant Dean of Students.

Essential Functions:

• Prepare lunches, brunches, and snacks for the SMU/Perkins School of Theology community, and clean dishes, kitchen surfaces, and tables. Coordinate all department- and student group-sponsored meals and food service events under the direction of the Assistant Dean. Stock and organize the Selecman Hall break room, Kirby kitchen, and Prothro Refectory with coffee cups, coffee, condiments, paper plates, napkins, and utensils.
• Create weekly menus for distribution and procure food and kitchen supplies. Stock refrigerated and frozen foods, as well as dry goods, and maintain inventories of food and other kitchen supplies, including cups, coffee, tea, and condiments. Monitor weekly reports on the number of meals served and the amount spent on food and supplies to ensure expenditures remain within the established budget.
• Perform administrative duties related to kitchen management and meal service as assigned, including expense reports, invoices, maintaining State of Texas Food Service Management certification, maintaining the University Park health permit, equipment maintenance reporting, and monitoring housekeeping. Attend and participate in Student Life and all-staff meetings. Work cooperatively with student volunteers, graduate assistants, and other Perkins staff.
• Provide a daily dish return area for soiled cups, plates, and utensils used after hours, or provide disposable items as necessary. Clean the inside and outside of refrigerators, the freezer, counter cabinets, pantry, ice maker/dispenser, ovens, stove, dishwasher, and hoods as needed. Order and serve snacks during Welcome Week, finals weeks, staff meetings, and as needed.
• Position may require some early morning and/or occasional weekend hours to cover food prep responsibilities.
• Position will require weekly local travel to food vendors.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A High School diploma is required. An Associate's degree is preferred.

A degree in food service management, hospitality, culinary, or restaurant management is preferred.

A minimum of (5) years of work experience in professional cooking and food service experience including menu planning, preparation, purchasing and inventory is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies, such as students, faculty and staff. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills as well as an ability to be flexible in a work environment. 

Candidate should have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Suites (Outlook, Word, etc.).

Candidate must have a demonstrated ability to work both individually and in a team-oriented environment. Strong customer service experience is essential.

Candidate must exhibit creativity in healthy menu planning and food preparation including vegetarian and meat entrees, salads, desserts as well as food allergies accommodations.

A Texas Food Service Management or ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification (or ability to obtain certification once hired) is required. 

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend, squat, stand, push/pull, kneel
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Carry/lift 25-50 lbs
• Work in confined quarters
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature/humidity

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be given to applications received by August 5th, 2026. 

Position will remain open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Organization: Southern Methodist University

Contact: Rebecca Molina

Phone: Show phone number

Closing Date: 08/30/2026