TITLE: Kitchen Service Associate I

JOB OVERVIEW: The Kitchen Service Associate I is an assistant in the MarineLab cafeteria. The Associate assists in providing consistent, on-time, quality meals to MarineLab students, and maintaining kitchen and cafeteria cleanliness.

STATUS: Seasonal (Jan-July 2025), Full Time (64 + hours/pay period)

This is a seasonal position but there is high potential for the right person to remain a part of the team at end of the season.

REPORTS TO: Food Service Director REPORTS TO: Food Service Director

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assists in the preparation of meals, service of meals, and cleaning of kitchen and cafeteria after meals
Assists in assuring compliance with Department of Health and all other guidelines
Assists to assure all special diets are prepared according to standards
Follows guidelines in terms of proper handling, serving and storage of all foods
Assists with weekly food deliveries (this requires being able to carry and lift heavy loads)
Assists Food Service Director with other tasks, as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Ability to effectively perform essential functions independently with minimal supervision
Demonstrate an understanding, patient, warm, positive, and receptive attitude toward children.
Must be physically capable of standing for long periods of time and lifting up to 30 lbs
Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively with coworkers
Flexibility – please see hours section below
Must speak and understand the English language

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Nearly 5,000 participants visit MarineLab annually, most of which eat multiple meals in the cafeteria. We serve institutional food that provides energy, options, and fulfills most dietary restrictions. We serve up to 100 participants at a single meal.

Visiting students are primarily aged 10-17 who use meal times to energize for their field trips and also as a time to relax and socialize with friends. They will be excited and talkative.

HOURS:

January-July 2025

Scheduling flexibility is a requirement of this position as days of the week worked each week, hours worked each day, and hours worked per week, all vary throughout the year.

Breakfast is served between 7:30-8:15, lunch is served 11:45 – 12:30 PM and supper is served 5:45- 6:30 PM. The amount of prep work before each meal and clean up afterwards is variable. Which meals are served each day is variable upon needs of our student groups. Hours worked each day, therefore, will vary depending on what meals are being served, number of students on our property at any time, etc.

The hours worked per week will vary widely throughout the year. Feb thru June is typically our busiest time of year; Associate can expect to work 30+ hours per week during this time. During busy season, there will be multiple weeks when Associate is scheduled 40+ hours per week; in these instances, Associate is paid overtime. We are generally slowest in July-Aug and Dec-Feb with weekly hours being reduced to 10- 15 hours/week for some weeks during this time.

We are open every day of the week but days that require cafeteria service are variable, dependent on our school group schedules.

SALARY: $16-$18/hour

BENEFITS: Sick leave, Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, health/vision/dental insurance and retirement available.

ABOUT US:

MRDF is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1970 to support marine research and education. In 1985, it created the MarineLab program to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s scientists and policymakers, creating conservationists through education. MarineLab has an estimated 5,000 students participate in our multi day field trips annually. We are a small mission-based organization with an extremely dedicated staff. We strive to make a daily impact on our students and on the oceans.

HOW TO APPLY: Please send cover letter and resume to Kimora Boswell at foodservicedirector@marinelab.org.

Job Types: Full-time, Seasonal

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 32 per week

Benefits:

Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Vision insurance

Shift:

Day shift
Evening shift

Experience:

working with children: 1 year (Required)
Experience with children: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

English (Required)

Shift availability:

Day Shift (Preferred)
Night Shift (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

Key Largo, FL 33037 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Marine Resources Development Foundation/MarineLab jobs

Kitchen Service Assistant