Special Instructions to Applicants: 

 All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.  Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

About the Cohen House

Robert and Agnes Cohen House is home to the Rice University Faculty Club. The club consists of five private dining rooms, a large main dining area, a terrace, a historical living room space, and an outdoor patio that houses the Esther M. Cohen Memorial Garden.

We offer dine-in lunch service to members only, Monday through Friday. Lunch consists of a daily rotating menu, a soup du jour, a build-your-own salad bar, and a baked potato bar. Additionally, we provide à la carte options and a curbside service.

The club features a full-service coffee bar offering cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, and more. It also provides meeting room spaces for Rice departments hosting private luncheons and recently launched a meeting room breakfast service. Members can access the club on evenings and weekends for larger receptions, with events ranging from cocktail receptions to weddings and gala dinners.

Position Summary:

The Cook III prepares a variety of foods in accordance with menu instructions and standardized recipes. They ensure that proper food standards are maintained in the areas of quality, sanitation, and appearance, maintain a clean work area, and assist with general kitchen cleaning.

The Cook III position is designed as a 2–4-year training role for emerging leaders in the culinary arts. Under the guidance of the Executive Chef, the Cook III shares responsibility for directing and supervising Cook I’s and Cook II’s. This may include overseeing Garde Manger, grill cooks, prep cooks, temp staff, dishwashers, and receiving and delivery assistants.

The Cook III is responsible for opening and closing Cohen House during regular club operations and after-hours banquet events. They may also be responsible for ordering supplies and produce for weekly menus, as directed by the Sous Chef or Executive Chef.

Additional Responsibilities:

Food Prep/Sauces: Assists with food preparation and production. Prepares various sauces based on daily menus as directed by the Sous Chef or Executive Chef.

The weekly schedule will vary and include weekends and holidays. Must be available to work any required shift. Back-of-house staff work both lunch service and banquets.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate has experience working in a team environment and at least two years of related experience, preferably in a commercial kitchen setting. They should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks, and have strong skills in sanitation and organization.

Workplace Requirements:

LIGHT WORK: Exert up to 25 lbs. of force occasionally. Requires walking or standing for up to 8 hours per day. Other physical requirements include manual dexterity and the ability to see, hear, reach, climb, and balance. Must be able to detect scents and discern flavors. The work environment is a commercial kitchen and includes exposure to extreme temperatures. Work hazards include exposure to chemicals, wet floors, dangerous equipment (fryers, stoves, ovens, knives, slicers, etc.), and hot oil, steam, and water. This position is considered essential during a campus emergency. The incumbent is expected to report to campus and provide essential services under the direction of the Crisis Management Team.

Hiring Range: $17 per hour+
 Non-exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent Three years of food service experience City of Houston Food Manager Certification (required within 30 days of employment) Must be able to detect scents and discern flavors Skills Strong interpersonal and customer service skills Good verbal and written communication skills Initiative, teamwork, and punctuality Effective listening and judgment skills Ability to document HACCP log sheets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Ability to read and understand standard recipes and production sheets

Preferences

Associate degree or completion of an ACF-certified apprenticeship or Military Equivalent - Advanced Culinary Skills Training Course (ACSTC) City of Houston Food Manager Certification (within 30 days of employment)

Essential Functions:

Banquets: Responsible for protein, vegetable, and starch preparation. Must follow the event timeline and execute the menu efficiently. Lunch Service: Responsible for daily lunch à la carte and express lunch line preparations. Ensures that proper food standards are maintained in quality, sanitation, and appearance. Maintains a clean work area and assists with general kitchen cleaning. Cross-trained in all stations. Assists in supervising Cook I and Cook II staff. Prepares food for delivery or catering services. Assists with prep work across stations for both lunch and banquet services. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Additional Functions:

Will be required to work action stations during events, including but not limited to ice cream sundae bars, mac and cheese bars, carving stations, pasta stations, etc. Assists with other duties related to daily operations as assigned by the Chef.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University 

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.