
Constellation Cook at Constellation Institute (Berkeley, CA)
Constellation Institute· Berkeley, CA· $30–$35/hr·
Role details
Job description
About the Role
We are looking for a passionate and reliable cook or chef to join our team. Our culinary program provides lunch and dinners to a busy research office, with meals designed and prepared collaboratively each week by the team. We aim to deliver high-quality, diverse dishes across a range of cuisines. Our meals prioritize delicious vegetables and ethically sourced proteins, and accommodate a wide variety of dietary needs - from vegan to omnivorous. Ideal candidates are excited to explore foods and cuisines, take responsibility for specific dishes, as well as routine tasks like vegetable prep and cleaning.
We serve meals primarily for Constellation Institute (“Constellation”), a research hub hosting 250-400 people daily, along with a few organizations in the AI safety ecosystem. The kitchen is on the Oakland/Emeryville border, and the research hub is in Downtown Berkeley.
Key Responsibilities
You will assist in all aspects of preparing delicious, varied, healthy meals including:
- Prepare ingredients and cook dishes, drawing from recipes as well as personal culinary knowledge
- Deliver, arrange and label meals
- Clean equipment and facilities as needed
The shift would be Monday - Friday, 6:00 am - 2:30pm.
Skills & Experience
- Solid to excellent knife skills and command of cooking fundamentals
- Ability to work confidently with or without recipes
- Depth in one or more areas: regional cuisines, baking, butchery, pickling/charcuterie/ferment work, etc.
- Clear verbal and written communication skills in English
- Sense of urgency when the situation calls for it
- Strong sense of responsibility; high personal standards, with or without supervision
- Takes food safety seriously, follows requirements, and maintains professional hygiene standards
Education and Experience:
- At least one year related professional experience required, 2-5+ years preferred (we care about passion and skills; experience matters more than credentials)
- Food handler's card required; ServSafe or equivalent preferred
Physical Requirements:
- The job requires standing and walking for a full day, safely lifting 50+ pounds at a time, dealing with hot, sharp, or heavy objects.
Why work at Constellation Institute
- Culture: Mission-driven, friendly team deeply driven by the work; regular collaboration with top AI safety researchers and thought leaders constellation.org
- Remote/Hybrid Policy: Not explicitly stated, but the emphasis on the "beautiful physical workspace" in Berkeley and in-person programs suggests a strong preference for on-site work; however, the workforce is distributed across 5 countries, indicating some remote flexibility linkedin.com
- Perks:
- Flexible time-off policy that encourages regular recharging
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous 401(k) employer match
- Employer-paid commuter stipend (public transportation + on-site parking)
- Delicious, healthy lunches and dinners every weekday, plus unlimited snacks & drinks constellation.org
- Hiring Process: Transparent and respectful—phone screen, work test reflecting actual job tasks, interviews with teammates, and a focus on mission alignment constellation.org
- Engineering/Hiring Focus: Currently hiring for operations, program coordination, events, IT/data, facilities, and talent mobilization roles; strong focus on generalists and operators who care about AI safety linkedin.com