Job Description

Make lives meaningful through making.

Who We Are

Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and 60 historic and contemporary buildings. We are an equal-opportunity employer with a staff of 70+. Penland operates with a $70 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $10 million. We are located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Penland School of Craft, we believe that fostering a climate of equity, inclusion, diversity, and antiracism are essential to our work. We are committed to creating a campus community free of discrimination, and we welcome everyone who supports this commitment.

Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and other people who identify as people of color or BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply, as are people holding other marginalized identities related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class background.

Reports to: Dining Hall Coordinator

Department: Operations

Employment Status: Temporary Full-time

Up to 40 hours per week

FLSA Status: Non-exempt - Hourly

Start & End Date: March 3 - May 7, 2027

• Fall work opportunities are also available*

Last Updated: November 9, 2027

Hello, we are excited to share that we are looking to hire four - five temporary staff to support the Penland Pines dining hall this spring season. The season runs from March 3 through May 7, 2027. The position will primarily support the dining hall and dishroom, but may also support needs in the kitchen. The position will work up to 40 hours weekly. Schedules will be determined at a later date.

Penland has 16 workshops running through the spring, including an 8-week concentration and week-long classes, and you will work with our amazing Pines team to deliver meals to our students. You must have your own transportation. You are eligible for sick leave, a 30-minute paid break and one meal per day, and staff discounts at our gallery, supply store, and coffeehouse. Local hires with their own transportation are paid $18.00 per hour. If you are a Penland alum and need room and board, pay is $14.10.

If you are interested, please upload a letter of interest, contact information, and any significant time-off needs by January 22, 2027.

Primary Responsibilities

• Supports Penland’s food service by working in The Pines dining hall and/or kitchen, setting up for meal service, washing dishes, keeping the dining hall clean, and helping to prepare and serve meals.
• Works with the cook(s) on duty to support meal service and keep the dining room and dishroom clean. Works in the dishroom to wash and sanitize all dishes and cookware. At the end of each shift, clean and sanitize the entire dishwashing area per our local health code.
• Communicates clearly and regularly with the Pines operations manager and cooks on support needs.
• Ensures a high standard of cleanliness in the dining room to meet health code standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• To accomplish the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the responsibilities discussed above satisfactorily while meeting all appropriate food safety standards.
• Must be able to work consistently in a busy food service environment while maintaining a high level of professionalism, friendly service, and good relationships with coworkers.
• Must be flexible between identified dates for no or alternative work options

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for long periods of time and walk. The employee is required to use hands to handle or touch objects, tools, or controls, talk fluently, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. The specific vision required by this job is close vision.