Food Service - Food Service Cook

Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America

Job Description for Food Service Cook posted Friday, January 23, 2026 at 6:00 AM.

Position Title: Food Service Cook

Reports to: Kitchen Manager(s), Sous Chef(s) and Executive Chef

• Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
• Support restaurant prep (BOH and line) for daily operation.
• Meet daily quick service, food service, safety and quality, availability, merchandising and guest service standards.
• Ensure proper food quantities are set for daily and ongoing service.
• Participate in safety logs including food temperatures, rotation and waste as necessary.
• Ensure safe food handling is maintained.
• Ensure proper uniform, hygiene, hand-washing and glove use with self.
• Maintain a SSAfe work environment by abiding to all SSAFETY rules.
• Follow through daily prep and item lists, as assigned.
• Actively help to support operation in assigned role, supporting holes as necessary.
• Respond to guest and client feedback, with report to the supervisor to ensure that any potential complaints are mitigated against further occurrence.
• Communicate with the Restaurant Supervisor and/or Food Operations Manager regarding any issues seen with daily service or quality.
• Remain knowledgeable of all menu items, prices and specials for sharing with guests.
• Assist with dishwashing as necessary.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills with the ability to be organized.
• Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Team player, personable, professional, upbeat and energetic, and takes initiative.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35 lbs) as necessary to operation, including lifting and performing all functions described.
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

• Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking across units.
• Focus on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
• Lead by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; apply knowledge in business and provide teaching opportunities to unit staff as necessary.
• Engage with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and opportunities for giving back.

• 1-2 years food preparation

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements, efforts or working conditions. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or require other or different tasks as circumstances change (emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments).

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program: access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave.
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include:
Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.;
Colorado:
Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under HFWA. Maryland:
Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year. Washington:
Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents:
By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the…