Kitchen Prep Assistant

Bowdoin College – Kitchen Prep Assistant

Located in Brunswick, Maine, Bowdoin College boasts a student population of almost 2000. Our Dining Services Department makes everything from scratch and are consistently rated in the top 10 for college dining. We have our own butcher shop, bakeshop, and organic garden that all supply food to our two dining halls and three retail locations.

Bowdoin is seeking a Kitchen Prep Assistant/Production Assistant to join our team at Thorne Hall.

Under supervision of the Head Chef, Assistant Chef/Cold Food Production Coordinator, with guidance from Production Assistant Lead, the Kitchen Prep Assistant/Production Assistant is responsible for preparation of daily cold food items to recipe specifications. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare ingredients for use in recipes for both hot and cold food production
• Read recipes and prepare to specifications
• Assist with set up, service, and clean-up of food serving line
• Follow appropriate food handling and storage procedures
• Serve food in serving line while adhering to portion control and serving procedures
• Monitor and record refrigerator or freezer temperature readings
• Assist with cold food production and assembly for catering functions
• Operate cold food prep equipment
• Provide routine and thorough cleaning of storage, cooking, serving, holding, dispensing equipment, and area. Empty trash. Assist in keeping the dining rooms neat and clean
• Adhere to safety and sanitation guidelines, including related documentation
• May operate computerized board checking system and perform other cash transactions
• May assist in customer service functions

The work schedule for this position will be 12:30pm – 8:30pm Monday, Tuesday, and Friday and 12:00pm-8:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, with Wednesday and Thursday off.

Compensation

• The pay rate for this position is $19.65 per hour, and this role is eligible for overtime and shift/weekend differential
• Shift Differentials: 10% for 2nd shift, 15% for 3rd shift, plus an additional $1.00/hour for weekend hours

Benefits and Perks:

• Medical Insurance (Effective on date of hire)
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance and Disability Insurance
• $1,000 Employee Referral Program Bonus
• Generous Retirement Plan – 10.12% annual compensation contribution (Eligible after 1 year of service and age 26 )
• Accrue up to 10 day of vacation (1st year), 15 days (2nd year)
• Accrue up to 12 days of personal/sick time
• 17 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave (After 1 year)
• Access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool (Including household)
• Free fitness and wellness classes
• And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html

Education/Skills Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• Current ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain within 6 months of employment)
• Working knowledge of basic food preparation techniques and their application in catering and/or institutional settings.
• Demonstrated reliability as well as neat and clean appearance
• Ability to follow written and oral direction
• Commitment to customer service
• Ability to multi-task

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

• Two years of food service or closely related experience
• Prior experience with food preparation techniques and their application in institutional settings preferred

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard Work Days and Hours

• This is a full-time, academic-year position, working 40 hours per week for 38 weeks per year (0.73 FTE). The role includes occasional overtime, weekends, holidays, and weather emergencies, as well as coverage during major college events such as Parents Weekend, Commencement, and Reunions.
• The work schedule for this position will be 12:30pm – 8:30pm Monday, Tuesday, and Friday and 12:00pm-8:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, with Wednesday and Thursday off.

Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Posting Date 08/28/2026

Type of Posting Internal/External

Special Instructions to Applicants

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.