Dining Worker

Bennington College invites applications for a part-time dining worker; several positions are available at this time, each schedule offering up to 25 hours per week. This position is a partial-year position, working a maximum of 32 weeks/year during the term time only (Fall and Spring). The hourly rate of pay is $18.67. Successful candidates will be adaptable, able to follow verbal instructions, work effectively in a fast-paced, kitchen environment, and possess a strong desire to provide excellent customer service. 

Bennington College strives to provide a high-quality dining experience to students, faculty, staff and guests of the College.  The Dining Services team works collaboratively to provide the highest level customer service to our guests. Dining workers are responsible for covering a wide variety of responsibilities, including meal preparation, production of ready-made meals, restocking supplies, prep cooking, and checking/customer service. 

Available Schedules (6):

• Sunday through Thursday, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Utility/Dishroom
• (2 shifts) Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Utility/Dishroom
• Monday through Friday 5:00 - 9:00 pm - Utility/Dishroom
• Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 11:00 am - 7:30 pm - Prep Cook
• Monday through Thursday 5:00-9:00 pm, Sunday 12:30 - 9:00 pm - Prep Cook

General Responsibilities

1. Promote and maintain the highest level of customer service to all Bennington College guests.  Resolves guest concerns within scope of authority; refer escalated concerns to management.  Notify manager of all unusual events or circumstances.
2. Provide clean serving ware, food and beverage service to faculty, staff, students and guests of the college.
3. Assist with cleaning of dishes, set-up of meals, and the cleaning of tables, kitchen and dining room floors and removal of trash.
4. Assist with the set-up of the kitchen area and the preparation and breakdown of assigned meals and or events.
5. Adapt to new responsibilities as required for particular meal or event and provide service in a timely manner.
6. Perform all duties in accordance with Vermont State laws and Health Code policies and procedures.
7. Sets up facilities for events including tables, dishware, glassware, silverware, linens, food and other amenities according to the event order requirements and manager’s direction.
8. Know the menu for each function served and be able to explain the major ingredients and preparation methods for each item to be served, or seek help when needed to promptly respond to guest questions.
9. Establishes pre-function side work to be performed and makes sure all equipment is accounted for and in good condition, notifying manager of any issues.
10. Performs other job related duties as assigned.
11. Attend all staff meetings and trainings as required by management.
12. Perform ID checker duties as assigned. Requires a familiarity with College ID and Dining Services policies.

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

Qualifications

1. Flexibility to work varying shifts, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
2. Valid/current driver’s license preferred. 
3. The position requires basic computer skills. Training will be provided.
4. Must be friendly and outgoing with excellent customer service/hospitality skills and able to maintain a positive and professional manner through duration of shift.  Demonstrated ability to multi-task, respond to requests with a sense of urgency, and complete work in a timely manner.  
5. Ability to learn and perform all duties in accordance with Vermont state health regulations for food service establishments.  Good personal cleanliness and hygiene required.  Ability to understand proper use of chemicals used in the performance of position duties and maintain familiarity with the chemical’s material safety data sheets.  Required attendance and successful completion/passing of College-sponsored classes and seminars determined by employer. 
6. Ability to hear and follow verbal instructions and work effectively in a noisy environment.  Ability to work well around a large number of people.  Ability to work well with people in a team environment.  Ability to function in a fast-paced environment under short time constraints, and within established deadlines. 
7. Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.  Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions, procedures, correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write correspondence.  Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.
8. Math Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure and inventory, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals to solve problems. 
9. Reasoning Ability: Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and discussing ideas with supervisor.  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Good organizational skills. 

This position requires successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

Working conditions and physical demands

This position primarily works within a fast-paced, general dining services area including kitchen, dining hall, snack bar area, and dish room.  Some of these work locations may have extreme/high heat/cold, varying temperatures.  This position may also work within and outside of regular office buildings and academic/campus facilities for special functions. 

This position requires routine medium physical exertion; typically involves lifting, standing, bending, reaching, stooping, walking, pushing, pulling and climbing stairs to coordinate work; heavy physical exertion required when moving equipment/supplies.  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.

The College

Bennington College is a laboratory for innovation in higher education. At Bennington, learning and making—on campus and in the field—are inseparable, and its graduates are noted for their outsized impact on the world’s stage. This campus celebrates the ongoing making of work—shared on walls, in shows and performances, in lectures and readings, and in conversations—and believes that equity, diversity, and inclusivity are vital to a collaborative community. This position captures, contributes to, and reflects the ethos of this creative community.

Nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains in Vermont, the campus consists of approximately 370 acres. The College was named one of ten with the best architecture by Architectural Digest.  From campus, it is a short drive to the cultural offerings of the northern Berkshires in Massachusetts, Albany, New York, and many of Vermont’s top recreational centers. New York City, Boston, and Burlington, Vermont are all within three and a half hours by car.