Dining Principal Food Service Worker
Location:
Job ID: 87044
JOB POSTING
Benefits to working at UC Santa Cruz include:
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Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
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UC Retirement Plans
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Group Term Life Insurance
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Legal Insurance
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Pet Insurance
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Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave
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Meal Allowance
HOW TO APPLY
For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.
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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)
UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.
The IRD for this job is:
07-08-2026
ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services (CHES) is a multi-funded organization within the Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) at the University of California (UC) Santa Cruz. CHES provides leadership in the areas of college student life and residential services, housing services, facilities, capital planning, dining services, conference services, early education services, business and financial analysis for these areas.
CHES provides on-campus housing and dining services to approximately 9,500 undergraduate and graduate students in ten residential colleges and six multi-college affiliated residential communities, which support single students and students with families.
UC Santa Cruz Dining is instrumental in the success of our students as well as providing services to staff, faculty and guests of the campus. Our mission is to be committed to creating a diverse, safe, fun and trusting environment for our guests and team; building an innovative dining program providing high quality service and food while embracing social, nutritional and financial responsibilities.
More information can be found at: https://dining.ucsc.edu/jobs/index.html
JOB SUMMARY
Under the supervision of Dining Management, the Principal Food Service Worker will work independently in the daily oversight of a Dining Hall Restaurant, Retail location, and/or Catering operations. The incumbent serves as "Lead" for a team and performs a variety of duties related to semi-skilled food preparation, serving or maintenance functions in the kitchen or dining area plus cash handling, customer service, event/food preparation and delivery and overseeing safety and sanitation of the location. The Principal Food Service Worker is expected to have substantial knowledge of the complex operation of the dining or kitchen area and to have previous experience or training in their particular area of work.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Budgeted Salary: $25.10/hourly
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.
Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits
Schedule Information:
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Full-time, Fixed
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Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
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Days of the Week: To be determined and details to be discussed at the interview
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Shift Includes: Day, Evenings Night, Weekends, to be determined and discussed at the interview
Employee Classification: Partial Year Career, Furlough to be determined and details to be discussed at the interview
Job End Date: None
Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus - Location will be with Catering
Union Representation: Service Employees (SX)
Job Code Classification: FOOD SVC WORKER PRN (005650)
Travel: Never or Rarely
JOB DUTIES
45% - Daily Operations
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Depending on location, The Principal Food Service Worker's work assignment may include any or all of the following responsibilities:
Responsible for opening, closing and operating a Dining, Retail or Catering location. -
Serves as a work leader and may assist in the training and leading of an assigned team in performing unskilled and semi-skilled tasks; cutting and preparing fruits and vegetables by hand or by using mechanical equipment; sets up food service lines by arranging foods or desserts, setting up the salad bar and stocking and preparing beverages; serves customers; collects, washes and stacks clean dishes; cleans and scrubs pots and pans; operates complex automatic dishwashing equipment; cleans conveyers, racks and sets up trays; cleans and mops floors in kitchen, food service area and dining room.
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Assists in the barista/host/cashier area.
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Serves as counter attendant in Dining, Retail or Catering location with responsibility for correct handling of cash transactions and maintaining satisfactory customer relationship during an assigned shift.
Food Prep Helper/Kitchen Pantry Work:
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Leads assigned crew in performing kitchen/pantry work of preparing various fruits and vegetables for use in kitchen cooking or in salad bar or other food service presentations, replenishing dry storage bins, cleaning equipment and sinks in the kitchen areas, sweeping, and mopping as needed.
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Leads team in meal set-up for hot and cold items and assists in producing dessert set-ups for various meals.
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Leads crew in preparing basic cold sauces; demonstrates appropriate and effective food presentation and merchandising techniques in the display of food and other service presentations (decorations and decorating); follows menus, production sheets and recipes accurately, measuring or weighing food ingredients, operates equipment such as: mixer, slicer, chopper, steamer, ovens, steam jacket kettles, beverage equipment, garbage disposal, and uses knives and other utensils.
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Incumbent may make sandwiches to order or in advance.
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Demonstrates appropriate and effective food presentation and merchandising techniques in display of food and other service presentations including napkin folds, decorations and decorating.
Receiving:
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Under the supervision of Dining Management and the direction of the Senior Storekeeper, performs general receiving duties.
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Receives and inspects all food supplies.
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Stores all items in specified areas in accordance with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) guidelines.
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Dates and rotates all inventory items using the FIFO (First In, First Out) Principles. Assists management with inventory and ordering.
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Organizes and cleans all storage spaces.
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Receives and assists with daily deliveries and reviews invoices for accuracy and the proper conditions of supplies.
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Transfers supplies to other units when needed.
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Assists Dining Management and the Senior Storekeeper in ordering, using a computerized food management system, and in submitting invoices to the Food Service Manager for approval and signature.
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Maintains a professional working relationship with all staff. Maintain working relationships with vendors and other food service units to render assistance in times of food/non-food shortages.
15% - Safety and Sanitation
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Ensures that all food is held and loaded at safe temperatures.
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Maintains work rule standards and policies regarding employee uniforms, personal appearance, and hygiene.
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Ensures compliance with all regulation mandated by local, state and federal agencies in regards to safety, health and sanitation regulations.
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Ensures that Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) guidelines are followed closely in maintaining temperatures of perishable products. On a daily basis, will record temperatures of all refrigerators, freezers, and maintains records for three months.
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Works in a safe and responsible manner while not putting others at risk. This includes complying with applicable policies and regulations, using personal safety gear, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards and reporting unsafe conditions. Safely operates and maintains equipment appropriate to the classification and the tasks assigned.
Dining Room:
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Leads crew in performing dining room work of setting up food service areas, distributing prepared food on time for specific meals in service areas.
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Restocks food into serving areas as needed, filling cold wells with ice; restocking dining room area with trays, dishes, silverware, napkins, food self service areas (beverages, salads, bread, desserts, soft serve, etc.).
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Returns unused food from serving area.
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Labels leftover food and ensures proper storage.
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Maintains cleanliness of designated work areas at all times including cleaning cold wells, food warmers, counter tops, pass through refrigerators, toasters, sinks, etc..
Dish Washer:
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May lead a team of dish washers and direct their work in breaking down soiled dining trays; appropriately pre-rinsing, washing by hand or loading dish washer with soiled trays, dishes, glasses, utensils and flatware and running them through the dish washing machine using
correct procedure of safety and sanitation; unloading dish washer, sorting, stacking and placing clean dishes, flatware, glassware, trays and utensils into proper transporting equipment. -
Operating, maintaining and cleaning the following equipment: dish machine, garbage disposals, mops, brooms and tray conveyor devices; as needed bringing out clean dishes to dining room to restock supplies.
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May also wash pans and utensils used in the kitchen, clean food preparation areas and operate specialized pot cleaning equipment if available.
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During and following meal services, distributes dishes, glassware, flatware, trays and utensils to service areas; returns empty carts and other related equipment and items to the dish room.
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Maintains cleanliness of work areas including floors, chairs, tables and all self-service areas in the service area.
15% - General Maintenance
Leads crew in General Maintenance including:
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Cleans and maintains stock pots, steam chef cookers, ovens, grills, deep wells, fryers and mixers; cleans work tables, shelves, sinks, drinking fountains, storage cabinets, ice machines, refrigerators and food storage bins, cleans walls, tables, floor, windows and doors, air-vents, stove and broiler hoods, vents and drains in dining and food service area.
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Collects, empties, washes and redistributes garbage cans; and sweeps, mops, waxes and maintains floors (spot cleans carpet if any) in kitchen, food service and dining areas.
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Cleans and maintains supplies in all dining services rest rooms, safely using cleaning supplies and chemicals as appropriate to the varied tasks.
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Incumbent may clean the following equipment: mixer, slicer, chopper, steamer, steam jacket kettles, garbage disposal, knives and other utensils and serving line containers.
Provides customer service to include cleaning up spills, maintain supplies especially in self- -service areas such as beverages, setting and resetting table areas.
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Puts away deliveries in appropriate storage area and breaks down all delivery packaging.
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Ensures the cleanliness, safety and sanitation of designated work areas, large and small equipment and utensils used in food production and service.
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Assists in identifying and solving cleaning and safety problems.
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At closing, and as directed, cleans all equipment, countertops, tabletops; empties all trash, recycling and compost cans; pulls floor mats and places chairs on top of tables.
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Sweeps kitchen floors, mops floors, and cleans out drains. Depending on location, may clean restrooms to include but not limited to washing sinks, counters, walls, and mirrors. Washes commodes and urinals and mops floors. At opening and as directed, places chairs on the floor and replaces the floor mats.
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Ensures that all assigned University vehicles, property and facilities are properly used and secure.
10% - Customer Service
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Delivers exemplary customer service in a friendly and professional manner. Acts as the primary contact with guests and customers at all assigned locations or events. Ensures needs and requests are being responded to in a timely manner. Works with managers to resolve customer issues. Maintains a thorough knowledge of current Dining, Retail and Catering policies, brochures and menus.
Leads crew in work including:
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Serves meals using portion control techniques as instructed by supervisor and follows basic principles of safety and sanitation of food service; properly plates and serves food on serving line/Retail or Catering locations.
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Answers questions about food being served; serves food to customers in a pleasant, courteous and efficient manner; restocks supplies of food as needed and maintains cleanliness of designated work areas at all times.
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Incumbent will check customers at door, swiping dining card or taking cash for meals, following proper cash handling procedures, consistent with Dining Cash Handling Certification training.
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May oversee front of the house set-ups; ensures that correct utensils are used for serving and that portioning is appropriate.
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As a team leader, directs student and staff employees, ensures that all shift assignments are covered, gives breaks, monitors and maintains customer service standards of staff and resolves service concerns of customers.
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May direct and train service staff in hand washing, appropriate uniform wear and ensuring that staff does not engage in eating or drinking outside of approved areas.
10% - Leadership
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Maintains a professional demeanor and appearance of assigned personnel at all times. Assists Managers with training of new employees. Assigns duties and tasks to employees. Provide other leadership duties as assigned by Dining Management.
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Assists managers in planning work schedules to meet requirements for service hours.
5% - Other Duties as Assigned
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Will complete Dining Cash Handling Certification training.
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Will drive campus owned vehicles and/or a personal vehicle to perform various duties including, but not limited to, catered events, training, quality control within locations, cashier deposits, and other driving related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
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Experience in food preparation and general maintenance in a kitchen or dining area or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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Knowledge of food service or custodial or store keeping practices and procedures suitable to the level of the job.
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Communication skills and abilities sufficient to interact with co-workers, to direct staff work and provide training to less experienced staff.
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Communication skills and abilities sufficient to interact with customers.
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Experience in the safe operation of a variety of kitchen equipment, dishwashing machines, custodial equipment, and serving line equipment as relevant to the particular assignment.
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Knowledge of appropriate temperature requirements for safe serving, food handling, and food storage.
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Knowledge of cleaning and safety techniques and procedures for food preparation, storage, and service.
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Knowledge of merchandising and presentation techniques of food service.
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Ability to read, write, perform basic mathematical calculations.
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Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
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Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team-based environment.
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Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse groups.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bilingual in Spanish/English, or willingness to learn.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
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Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
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Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and be able to participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
- Interviewees will be required to provide a current DMV record.
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All employees must be able to pass the UCSC Dining Food Handler Card test within 90 days of employment, or already in be in possession of a California Food Handler Card or ServSafe certification upon hire.
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Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
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Ability to move work related materials weighing up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
- Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
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The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
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Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
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"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
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UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
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UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
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Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
SAFETY STATEMENT
All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://chancellor.ucsc.edu/annual-security-reports/.This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.
EEO/AA
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS
View full job description and access on-line application:
https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucsc/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=87044&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=11&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant
To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.
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