Dishwasher Job Description, Skills, and Salary Scale
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a dishwasher. Feel free to use our dishwasher job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a dishwasher.
Who is a Dishwasher?
A dishwasher is someone who cleans dishes, utensils, and other food preparation equipment. The job mainly involves handling kitchen equipment such as pots and dishes to ensure they are clean and also attending to customers. Dishwashers can work in various places but they mostly work in restaurants or cafeterias where they play the role of maintaining a spotless and functional kitchen. In performing their duties, dishwashers can use a dishwashing machine or clean the dishes manually by using their hands to wash plates, cups, and other utensils. After washing the plates and cups; dishwashers arrange them neatly in proper storage. Dishwashers also sort out dirty dishes from clean dishes brought in bussers. Dishwashers the dishwashing machine for cleaning scrap and sorting dirty dishes before loading them into the dishwashing machine.
Dishwashers may play the primary role of keeping dishes clean but they also carry out other responsibilities such as; cleaning kitchen floors, sinks, and countertops to make the environment clean. Dishwashers also carry out food supplies such as food and utensils in cupboards, refrigerators, or serving stations. They sweep kitchen floors and take out any garbage in the kitchen when necessary. They make sure the place is very clean and hygienic. Dishwashers must learn how to use water efficiently. Make sure you control the water sprayer so that you will not use excessive water. Make sure you use the appropriate sponge that will make the plates look beautiful and sparkling.
The dishwasher also attended to customers during their work schedule; they make sure they meet up with customers’ demands and also maintain the dishwashing machine; they report any fault they discover in the dishwashing machine to the kitchen manager. Apart from the duties they perform; they also make sure they handle kitchen utensils, cups, and plates with extensive care to avoid any breakage or damage.
Dishwashers may be required to work in the daytime or on evening/ night shifts as well as on weekends and public holidays. Some job placements may offer seasonal work for just a few months in a year e.g. during summer or winter. This is especially the case with hotels and restaurants located in a tourist environment. Dishwashers can work on a part-time or full-time basis.
Working as a dishwasher implies that you must be very punctual and keep up with the pace. A dishwasher must be someone who has a strong knowledge of food and safety standards.
Dishwashers that work in restaurants play a vital role in bringing success to the restaurant. No one will love to consume the most beautiful-looking and delicious food on a dirty plate. A dishwasher that works in a restaurant must make sure that all the plates are sparkling so that customers can have an amazing dining experience. A dishwasher that is a stickler for cleanliness is highly sought-after by most employers.
Dishwashers generally work long shifts to meet the demands of multiple meal services. Their daily work schedule involves wiping down pots, pans, and containers that are necessary for food preparation, especially in the morning and they end their day by wiping down the dish pit and spraying floor mats. Distractions in the kitchen can be very fatal. Your full focus is required in the kitchen when handling hot pots, pans, knives, glassware, and other potential hazards. Your eyes and ears must be on constant alert when a cook warns “Hot plate”.
There are delicate items that cannot be washed by dishwasher machine and they are: wooden chopping boards, crystal ware, chinaware, silverware, large pots (and pans), and kitchen equipment and appliances (such as meat slicers, fryers, stoves, and coffee machines) are all washed or cleaned thoroughly by hand.
The career path of a dishwasher is very amazing and there are high chances for success. The position of a dishwasher is the first step and this involves working in kitchen restaurants there is a high chance of rising to kitchen ranks by becoming a head chef or executive chef. A job as a dishwasher can thus be considered a golden opportunity to learn how a professional kitchen works how to prioritize workloads efficiently and how to keep the kitchen tidy. A dishwasher must also adhere to food safety and hygiene standard to have steady career growth. With the acquired experience, a dishwasher may eventually move on to food preparation tasks- for example, as a kitchen assistant. A dishwasher has a progressive career growth; many cooks and chefs begin their careers as dishwashers carrying out cleaning and kitchen assistance tasks.
Dishwasher Job Description
Below are the dishwasher job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a dishwasher job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a dishwasher include the following:
- Scape and sort dishes before loading them into a dishwashing machine for cleaning
- Monitor the dish machine water temperature when washing dishes
- Sweep and scrub the kitchen floor to ensure a clean working environment
- Gather kitchen trash and dispose of it in a dumpster at intervals
- Maintain the appropriate level of detergents and other cleaning items
- Assist in the preparation and also the serving of food as required
- Maintain dishwashing machine and report any mechanical fault to the supervisor
- Set up banquet tables and dining areas according to set standards
- Assisting cooks/chefs and other kitchen personnel where necessary
- Drying plates, pots, and pans
- Unload washing machine after a wash to put away utensils and dishes at proper storage units
- Handle glassware and other fragile tableware to prevent breakage maintain a customer-focused attitude while performing job responsibilities
- Sanitize the work area at least once an hour throughout your shift to prevent cross-contamination
- Follow the guidelines regarding food safety rules and hygiene
- Work with a smile on your face and also put on your uniform; give a willingness to give your all
Qualifications
- A high school diploma
- Ability to lift to 50 pounds several times a day
- Ability to work in a hot and damp environment
- Ability to respond to emergencies and also avoid putting others at risk
- Ability to place cans, utensils, and plates on both high and low shelves
- Ability to work with other teammates
- Pass drug test and criminal background check
- Effective communication( ability to speak more than one language as some employers may demand)
- Punctuality
- Friendly nature and a positive attitude
- Knowledge on how to use a dishwasher machine
- Willing to cross-train on different positions
Essential Skills
- Physical Stamina: dishwashers must be very healthy and structurally fit to carry out their responsibilities. Most employers may require a medical certificate to ascertain if dishwashers are physically fit for the role they are applying for. Dishwashers usually work for long hours while standing or moving and someone who is not physically fit can fumble. It is highly paramount for dishwashers to be strong and healthy.
- Technical Skill: they must have the technical know-how on how to operate dis washing machine to clean utensils and tableware. They must also be good with their hands in order not to cause any breakage to plates or cups. Dosh washers must possess manual dexterity.
- Organizational Skills; dishwashers must maintain a clean and tidy kitchen by ensuring dishes and utensils are properly cleaned and neatly arranged. They also ensure that the kitchen is kept clean and tidy.
- Positive attitude: dishwashers must possess a positive attitude in the way they relate with customers. They must know how to satisfy customers and maintain a friendly gesture when talking to customers. Dishwashers are part of the success of a restaurant and they must be able to play their role perfectly for the restaurant to succeed.
- Agility and Flexibility: dishwashers are very agile and flexible and they can work under stress. They can respond to an impromptu priority quickly and get the job done in an orderly manner. Dishwashers are not threatened by an unplanned situation but can give the best result if a situation should come up.
- Team Spirit: in a restaurant setting, more than one dishwasher is needed because of the large bulk of work. A restaurant usually has a lot of dishwashers and they work in harmony to bring about success to the restaurant. Dishwashers work together in a team.
- Communication: a dishwasher must also possess communication skills to communicate with other employees of the organization. Dishwashers also communicate with one another when performing their duties.
- Professionalism and Punctuality: dishwasher that works in a restaurant usually wears a uniform when working and they exhibit professionalism on the job set. Give your employer a sense of confidence by dressing in your professional attire. The uniform should honor food and safety health codes. Having a clean professional appearance, along with the proper accessories to help you with your job communicates professionalism. Having your own set of rubber gloves, a waterproof apron, and no-slip shoes are the best choices that help make the job a lot easier.
In addition, a dishwasher also must come very early to work to get everything prepared before guests start coming. Dishwashers must come very early and they are always the last to leave.
- Dependability: the job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable in fulfilling duties and responsibilities.
- Apply Safety Rules
Ensure you follow safety rules when carrying out your responsibility as a dishwasher. Use proper technique when using sharp objects such as knives. Knowledge of kitchen safety rules prevents injury and makes the environment safer and more productive.
- Social Orientation: the job requires a person that prefers to work with others rather than working alone. A dishwasher must be someone who can personally connect with others while performing a responsibility.
How to Become a Dishwasher
There are no formal qualifications for one to become a dishwasher but some employers may love a candidate that has a high school diploma. Dishwashing jobs are suited to well-organized motivated people with a passion for cooking and it is an easy way for venturing into the restaurant trade for those interested in longer-term careers in business. To become a dishwasher; you can do the following;
- Volunteer in a Restaurant
To become a dishwasher; you should first of all-volunteer as a dishwasher in a restaurant so that you can acquire the relevant skills and expertise. Once you volunteer; you will learn how to use a dishwasher machine and how to handle kitchen utensils to avoid any breakage.
- Prepare your resume
Before you start applying for jobs as a dishwasher; you should prepare your resume in a marketable way/ include your skills, educational qualification, and experience when as a dishwasher. Draft your resume in such a way that it will attract employers. A strong dishwasher resume should highlight their ability to focus and balance multiple tasks a once and also to meet up with deadlines, demonstrating that they can keep up with a high level of dishes in a commercial kitchen environment.
- Seek open positions.
Be on the lookout for open positions in cafes and restaurants. As a dishwasher; you should start your career in a restaurant and in that way you will get to acquire the requisite skills a dishwasher needs. Do not take any open opportunity with levity but start applying asp.
Where Can a Dishwasher Work?
There are different paces a dishwasher can work because their services are sought-after by most employers. The following are places a dishwasher can work:
- Restaurants
- Fast food outlets
- Snack bars
- Cafes
- Catering Companies
- Company Cafeterias
- School
- Canteens
- Hotels
- Events like Birthdays, Weddings, and Fundraising.
Dishwasher Salary Scale
The salary scale of a dishwasher varies from one country to another. Below are some countries:
- The average salary of a dishwasher in the United States of America is $11.28 per hour. A person working as a dishwasher earns around 25,000USD per year. Salaries range from 13,000USD to 38,200USD. Dishwashers’ salary varies drastically based on their level of experience and skills.
- In Nigeria, a Dishwasher typically earns around 84,300NGN per month. Salaries range from 41,300NGN to 132,000NGN. This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Dishwashers a salary varies based on skills, experience, gender, or location.
- The average dishwasher salary in the United Kingdom is 24,720pounds per year or 12.68pounds per hour. Entry-level positions start with 21.450pounds per year while most experienced dishwashers make up to 35,000pounds per year.