Culinary Lab Assistant (College Laboratory Assistant 1) Seasonal Full-Time

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Working Title:

Culinary Lab Assistant (College Laboratory Assistant 1) Seasonal Full-Time

Institution:

South Central CollegeCollege Laboratory Asst 1

Bargaining Unit / Union:

207: AFSCME - Technical

City:

North Mankato

FLSA:

Non Job Exempt

Full Time / Part Time:

Full time

Employment Condition:

Classified - Seasonal (Seasonal)

Salary Range:

Job Description

The Culinary Lab Assistant assists the faculty and students in the Culinary Arts Program to support high quality instruction, food preparation, and kitchen safety and sanitation.

Responsibilities

1. Culinary Instruction Lab Assistance.

• Advise and assist students in the culinary arts program so that all aspects of the activity are fulfilled and the intended learning experiences are introduced to the students.

• Maintain culinary arts departmental standards throughout kitchen, freezers, coolers, and storerooms.

• Meet with instructor to offer suggestions to improve existing lab/classroom activities.

• Conduct demonstrations on recipes and procedures by showing students the proper use of kitchen equipment and the correct steps to be followed in the exercise so that safe and proper food handling and preparation is achieved.

• Observe the progress of the student and prepare written and verbal evaluations.

• Analyze instructional lab practices and experiments and develop and recommend changes or new approaches to instructor.

2. Supports the financial goals of the program.

• Assist in coordinating culinary fundraisers.

• Assist in implementing and operating ala cart cooking stations.

• Maintain cost control of food and paper supplies according to the SCC culinary budget.

• Assist in dining room operations for student-based cooking.

3. Assist in implementing a purchasing and receiving program.

• Ensure sufficient quantities of supplies and equipment are available so that student activities and instructor demonstrations can be properly conducted.

• Regularly inventory supplies and equipment on hand and assist in purchasing food and supplies for culinary arts department.

• Receive and store food in accordance with all state, local, and federal laws.

• Assist in inventory management system to optimize our financial recourses for culinary arts department.

4. Ensure the Culinary/Food Service Facilities are Safe and Sanitary.

• Document, record, and implement all HACCAP and sanitation procedures to meet all federal, state and local laws.

• Maintain food and cooler temperature logs and sanitation logs.

5. Perform Administrative Tasks to support the Culinary Arts Department.

• Assist with coordinating tasks for the culinary arts department.

• Work with work-study students and dishwashers to properly manage tasks and resources.

• Provide training to work-study students and dishwashers in safety, HACCAP, sanitation, and proper kitchen procedures.

• Assist with food handling records and purchasing/inventory reports.
  

Salary Range:

$21.26 - $29.28 per hour.

Minimum Qualifications

• Post-secondary or industry certificate/diploma/degree or relevant licensure in Culinary Arts – or – 6 months of teaching/tutoring experience in Culinary Arts at the high school level or above – or – 2 years of work experience in culinary industry where no degree/certificate/diploma/licensure is required – or – an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Knowledge of proper and safe use of kitchen equipment sufficient to instruct others in its proper use, cleaning and storage.

• Knowledge of safe and proper food handling and preparation techniques.

• Physical requirements for this position require the incumbent to stand, walk, stoop, forward and upward reach, push, pull, climb and lift up to 30 pounds.

Preferred Qualification 

• Graduate of Culinary Arts AAS Degree or higher.

• 3 years of food service experience.

• MN Food Service Manager Certification.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Work experience in customer service.

• Experience using food service operations software.

• Food service purchasing experience.

Other Requirements

• South Central College is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas.  All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. 
• Please attach a resume with your application, as this is a requirement to be considered
• In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (Minnesota State) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State’s Vehicle use criteria and consent to Motor Vehicle Records check

Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)

Day shift - 8 hours. Monday - Friday. This is a seasonal position that will work each academic year from August - May.

Telework (Yes/No)

No. This is an in-person, on campus position.

Contact and Application

Questions regarding this posting, please contact Stephanie Gates, HR Business Partner - stephanie.gates@southcentral.edu or 507-389-7277 by the posting close date.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Stephanie Gates at stephanie.gates@southcentral.edu.

If you would like to request an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact Brian Tiegs at brian.tiegs@southcentral.edu 

To learn more about South Central College and to apply, visit: https://southcentral.edu/hr

Application Deadline

Please apply prior to the 11/25/2026 close date to be considered for this opportunity.

About

South Central College is a comprehensive community and technical college that is part of the Minnesota State system, with campuses in Faribault and North Mankato. To meet the educational needs of students and our communities, SCC provides lifelong learning opportunities. 

SCC is committed to fostering a campus environment of inclusion, knowledge, and understanding in which faculty, staff, and students learn to value diversity and to respect individual differences that enrich our college community. 

To learn more about South Central College and to apply, visit:  https://southcentral.edu

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable bargaining unit agreement or personnel plan.

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.

 

To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents. Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.

Desired Start Date:

01-07-2027

Position End Date:

Open Date:

11-10-2026

Close Date:

11-25-2026

Posting Contact Name:

Stephanie Gates

Posting Contact Email:

stephanie.gates@southcentral.edu