Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

Swarthmore Dining is dedicated to serving our community with nutritious and satisfying food in a welcoming environment every day. Our mission is to offer a diverse menu that features high-quality ingredients, emphasizing locally grown and sustainably produced products whenever possible. We are committed to inclusive dining by ensuring vegetarian, vegan, and accommodations for dietary restrictions are always available. As a self-operated dining program encompassing Residential Dining, 3 retail locations, and catering, we pride ourselves on providing a work-life balance that is often difficult to find in the restaurant industry. Join us at Swarthmore Dining to be a part of a vibrant community committed to quality, sustainability, and exceptional service in a state-of-the-art kitchen setting.

The opportunity:

Assists Catering Manager with all aspects of a catering functions including culinary support, timely, safe, reliable and friendly service and hospitality, set up and delivery of all catered functions and events on campus as well as off campus. Supports commissary when directed and assist in deliveries to other areas on campus upon request.

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist Catering Manager with Culinary Support including precook, plating, serving
• Properly and efficiently gather all equipment, small wares, disposables/china etc needed for each function and label each pack out with when, where and count.
• Produce and or gather all food items and beverages specifies on the event sheet and label where, when and count
• Produce and provide hot and cold beverages with standard set ups of small wares and equipment.
• Label all functions in accordance with catering standards/guidelines
• Closely follow planograms to ensure consistent set ups per each function as per catering standards.
• Deliver, set up and break down all functions in an efficient and timely manner.
• Process equipment properly after each function.
• Meet with the Catering Manager/or Chef to discuss and establish a plan for the day's events that includes, timeline, needs and any issues that may arise such as missing or damaged equipment, etc.
• Maintain cleanliness, both interior and exterior of Dining Services vehicles and ensure that they are properly fueled and ready to use. Report any issues with catering vehicles. Park in designated/legal spots around campus
• Properly organize, clean and sanitize, daily, catering worktables, storage areas, walk-in cooler shelving, cold box, freezer units and floors. Store and label foods according to SERV safe guidelines.

Additional Responsibilities

• Ability to work a varied schedule to include nights, weekends, holidays.
• Greet customers by being friendly, courteous and engaging.
• Take weekly inventory of catering paper supplies.
• Organize, break down boxes, sweep and clean catering storage areas to include dry goods area, kitchen workstation and any additional areas as directed.
• Assist with any Front of the House, receiving and or utility work when catering is not

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 2-3 years catering and food production experience
• Communicate clearly and effectively
• Valid Pa. Driver’s license
• RAMP certification (may be taken upon hire)

Preferred Qualifications

• AOS in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Certificate
• 3-5 catering and food production experience
• Serv-Safe Certification

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume by August 1, 2025. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled.

The market range for this position is $20.00-$24.00 per hour, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

MVR Clearance Required by Position

Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2025 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.