Student Employment

Welcome to Culinary Services! We are a team of students, staff, and chefs focused on nourishing and supporting our community and visitors by providing fresh, delicious, and memorable food experiences.

Cashier and customer at a register launghingBenefits of Working at Culinary Services:

  • Experience: Build your resume and gain valuable skills applicable to any workplace in any major.​
  • Flexibility: ​We know being a student comes first so we are flexible with your schedule.
  • FREE Meals: We offer free shift meals (see information below).
  • Convenience: Work in the same place you learn!
  • Network: Form relationships with students and staff.
  • Advancement: We provide opportunities for advancement.

Please review the information below. 

Getting Started
Your Schedule

Schedules will be sent out under Shift Planning in the Humanity App. You are responsible for each of these shifts whether working or finding coverage. Planning ahead for upcoming events and being proactive will make your life much easier when finding coverage. If you are sick, call the 24/7 callout line at (707) 664-3883 at least three hours before your shift as soon as you know you are too sick to work. When calling out leave the following info:
• Your first and last name
• Your symptoms
• The date, your shift location, position and start and end times

Should your schedule change, email your FOH Manager explaining why you would like to drop a shift and set up an appointment to meet regarding the schedule change.

Keep in mind that you are only given three sick callouts per semester (or less as adjusted to your date of hire). Exceeding this number during a semester may cause your indefinite removal from the schedule.

Expectations
Working for Culinary Services has its expectations. In general, you are expected to...
  • Clock in on time and no more than five minutes before your shift starts.
  • Never clock in for a friend. It's illegal and will result in termination.
  • Once you clock in report to your Manager, Driver, Chef, etc.
  • Leave your cell phone in your backpack or locker. You may access it during your breaks.
  • Wear the correct uniform.
  • Remain professional and practice good hygiene.
While working you are expected to...
  • Check-in with your platform leadership before going on break or leaving your shift.
  • Have a sense of urgency.
  • Keep your cell phone put away.
  • Be respectful and mindful while interacting with customers, co-workers, full-time staff, and Culinary Services Leadership. 
  • Stand for long periods of time.
  • Be able to occasionally lift/move up to 50 lbs.

Breaks

Breaks are times during your shift when you do not work. ​The number of breaks you get and how long they are vary based on how many hours you are scheduled for in a shift. See below for what number of hours that corresponds to what breaks. Be sure to clock out for any thirty-minute meal breaks. If you forget to clock out, let Gustavo or Holly know. You do not need to clock out for any 10-minute breaks. Also, always check in with your platform leadership before going on break.

  • 4 to <5 I hour shifts earn a 10-minute paid break
  • 5 to <6 I hour shifts earn a mandatory 30-minute unpaid break (clock out for this)
  • 6 <8.5 I hour shifts earn a 10-minute paid break and a mandatory 30-minute unpaid break (clock out for this)
  • 8.5 I hour shifts earn two 10-minute paid breaks and a mandatory 30-minute unpaid break (clock out for this)
Venues

Culinary Services has a number of venues located across campus.

Student Center

First Floor

  • The Kitchens is the main dining hall with plenty of options and an all-you-care-to-eat experience. 
  • Weyden + Brewster Virtual Kitchen features the ultimate DIY sandwiches, salads and more. 
  • Sip is a signature coffee shop featuring Starbucks classics as well as tasty grab-and-go items.
  • Lobo’s is a fun and modern campus pub featuring a pool table and both indoor and outdoor seating. 

Third Floor

Overlook is the perfect place to host an intimate and upscale dinner or reception.


Around Campus

Charlie Brown's Cafe (currently closed)

Stomping Grounds (currently closed)

Toast (currently closed)

Green Music Center

Prelude Restaurant & Bar (currently closed)

Concessions include the Order Up food truck, Order Up Express food cart, concessions located across from the Wolves Den, athletic events, and at the Green Music Center including pre-orders for Boudin Bakery, pizza, and so much more! 

Communications

Culinary and managers will use the following methods to communicate with you:

  1. Pre-Service Daily Update
  2. Messages through Humanity
  3. Your Seawolf Email
  4. Your Phone Number On File

General announcements and mass communications will be through the following methods:

  1. Pre-Service Daily Update (on both sub-sections)
  2. The Message Wall on Humanity
  3. Your Seawolf Email
Uniform

Your uniform should consist of six main items:

  1. Your given Culinary Services t-shirt or polo
  2. Your given Culinary Services Hat worn forward
  3. Black Pants or Jeans; No sweatpants or leggings
  4. Close-toed non-porous non-slip shoes. If your shoes are not non-slip there are non-slip shoe covers available for use during your shift next to The Kitchens clock-in station.
  5. Restrained hair if your hair sits at or below your shoulders; any long ponytails should be braided or use extra ties.
  6. Good hygiene

You should not wear the following while in uniform:

  1. Fake nails or nail polish as it can chip off into food
  2. Any bracelets or watches as they can spread food born illness
  3. Any necklaces must be tucked under your t-shirt or polo as they can get caught in machinery
Meals

Have the meal that you qualify for: 2+ Hour shifts quality for a full meal in the Kitchens. You are able to arrive 15 minutes early (off the clock) for your shift to eat before - or stay 15 minutes late (off the clock) to eat after your shift.  You may also have your meal during one of your breaks should your shift be long enough to have a break. We understand you may be coming straight from class or need to leave immediately after, so if you can eat before or after your shift, we encourage you to do so. You will need to check in with a manager before doing so, just to let management know you are off the clock. You cannot take out any food from The Kitchens after your shift unless you have a meal plan and your card has already been swiped by our cashier.

Technology

The usage of cell phones (including devices) or headphones/speaker (of any kind) in the front and back of the house while on shift is prohibited. Failure to participate in this rule is considered misconduct and may result in verbal and/or written disciplinary actions. You may use your devices during your rest periods or your meal breaks only. In cases of emergencies, speak to the appropriate manager to accommodate any approved needs only for a partial duration of your shift.

Miscellaneous
Work Related Injury

If you are injured at work inform your supervisor and contact SSU Works' Compensation at (707) 664-2664 between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. The Workers' Compensation Coordinator will assess the nature of the injury/illness and will schedule you an appointment with Kaiser Occupational Medicine. Be sure to work with your supervisor to complete the DWC1 Form within 24 hours of the injury. For immediate medical attention, visit a Kaiser Permanente Emergency Room or the nearest Emergency Room, be sure to inform all treating healthcare providers that you are being seen for a work-related injury.

Finding Coverage for a Shift

It is always best to be proactive while finding coverage for a shift. Talking to co-workers to offer a shift trade is a great way to get your shift covered. Be sure to post any shifts you can not work as soon as you know you can't work them. To do this, first, open the Humanity app. Under the shift planning tab, select the shift you would like to post then click the "Can't work" button followed by "Release Shift" and enter why you can not work the shift you are going to release. Finally, select the employees you would like to offer the shift to and click release. It is best practice to release the shift to everyone available unless you already know someone specific will pick up your shift. Regardless, finding coverage for your shift is your responsibility.

End of Semester

At the end of each semester, you are expected to

  1. Stay in the loop by checking your email.
  2. Turn in your availability by the deadline.
  3. Work all of your final shifts or seek coverage for them.
  4. Safely pack away your uniform for the next semester.
  5. Fill out any electronic forms that may be emailed out.
End of Employment

When you are done working for Culinary Services, you are expected to:

  1. Turn in a Professional Two Weeks Notice to Culinary Services (culinary.services@sonoma.edu). This can be more than two weeks if you know the date well in advance.
  2. Work your last two weeks of shifts.
  3. Return your washed uniform shirts and hat after your last shift.
  4. Return any issued keys to Seawolf Services. Failure to do so can result in a financial hold on your account and may prevent you from registering for classes on time.
  5. Be sure to say goodbye to everyone before your last day!
FAQs
How do I clock in and clock out?

Login to your SSU account using one of the three computers near the chefs' office. Click the MyHR square followed by the Web Clock option. Under the Punch Type Drop-down menu select "in" if you are starting work or returning from a 30-minute break. Select "out" if you are leaving work or starting a 30-minute break. Under Task Profile ID, select the appropriate option for where you are working. If you don't know what to select, ask for help. Finally, click the Enter Punch button and log out.

If you are unable to login to the computers or access MyHR, talk to Gustavo or Holly before starting work.

Catering: If you are working a catering shift ask Chris before clocking in on your own device.

What should my uniform consist of?

Your uniform should consist of six main things.

  1. Your given Culinary t-shirt or polo
  2. Your given Culinary Hat worn forward
  3. Black Pants or Jeans; No sweat pants or leggings
  4. Close-toed non-porous non-slip shoes.  If your shoes are not non-slip there are non-slip shoe covers available for use during your shift next to the kitchens clock in station.
  5. Restrained hair if your hair sits at or below your shoulders; any long ponytails should be braided or use extra ties.
  6. Good hygiene

Your uniform should not consist of the following.

  1. Nail polish as it can chip off into food
  2. Any bracelets or watches as they can spread food born illness
  3. Any necklaces must be tucked under your t-shirt or polo as they can get caught in machinery
What should I do when I show up for my first shift?

Your first shift may seem daunting or overwhelming, especially if this is your first job.  Here's a step by step list of what to do when you show up for your first shift to help ease those feelings.  If you don't know how to do something it is always ok to ask for help.

  1. Put on your uniform at home or in one of the bathrooms in the hallway behind Sizzle.
  2. Place any belongings you will not need for your shift in one of the student lockers in the hallway behind Sizzle.
  3. Clock in at one of the three computers down the hall from the student lockers.  See "How do I clock in and out?" for instructions on how to do this.
  4. Head to the location you are assigned to work in the humanity app and let your shift lead know it's your first day.  If you don't know where this is, ask one of the chefs in a white shirt.
If I have a question about shifts and scheduling who should I talk to?

Unless it is a catering shift, Gustavo or Holly who can be found in the Manager's Office near the guest entrance to the Kitchens.  For questions related to catering shifts, talk to Chris

If I can't work due to illness what should I do?

Call the 24/7 call-out number 3 hours before your shift at (707) 664-3883. Be sure to leave the following information in the voicemail.

  • Your first and last name
  • Your symptoms
  • Your shift location and position
  • The date, start, and end times of your shift
If I can't work due to prior obligations what should I do?

Open the humanity app click on dashboard, the shift you can't work, then the "Can't work" button followed by Release Shift. Enter why you are releasing the shift then click continue. Select who you want to offer the shift to. If you know someone specific who will cover the shift, you may select that individual. Otherwise, click the select all button to release the shift to everyone. Finally, click "Send Request". You will get a notification when your shift has been picked up. It is your responsibility to get your shift covered. If you can't find someone to cover your shift, talk to Gustavo or Holly.

What are the maximum and minimum number of hours can I work?

During the Fall and Spring semesters, you must work a minimum of # hours per week unless you are unable to work and may work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week between all your jobs at SSU.

During the Winter and Summer Breaks, you must work a minimum of # hours per week unless you are unable to work and may work up to a maximum of 40 hours per week between all your jobs at SSU.

When do I get breaks and when should I clock out for them?

Breaks vary based on how many hours you are scheduled for in a shift. See below for what number of hours corresponds to what breaks. Be sure to clock out for any thirty-minute meal breaks. If you forget to clock out, let Gustavo or Holly know.

  • 0 - 3.75 hours | Zero breaks
  • 4 - 4.75 hours | One ten-minute break
  • 5 - 5.75 hours | One thirty-minute meal break
  • 6 - 7.75 hours | One ten-minute break and one thirty-minute meal break
  • 8 - 9.75 hours | Two ten-minute breaks and one thirty-minute meal break
  • 10 hours | One ten-minute break and two thirty-minute meal breaks