Dishwasher job description.
A dishwasher cleans dishes, cookware, and kitchen equipment to keep the kitchen running efficiently and meeting sanitation standards. They operate commercial dishwashing equipment, manage waste disposal, and maintain a clean, organized back-of-house environment throughout service.
The Dishwasher job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Dishwasher Reports to: Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef
A dishwasher cleans dishes, cookware, and kitchen equipment to keep the kitchen running efficiently and meeting sanitation standards. They operate commercial dishwashing equipment, manage waste disposal, and maintain a clean, organized back-of-house environment throughout service.
- Wash dishes, glassware, utensils, and cookware using commercial equipment
- Sort and stack clean items for storage or immediate reuse
- Maintain cleanliness of the dish pit, floors, and surrounding areas
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Wash dishes, glassware, utensils, and cookware using commercial equipment
- Sort and stack clean items for storage or immediate reuse
- Maintain cleanliness of the dish pit, floors, and surrounding areas
- Dispose of trash and recycling following facility procedures
- Restock clean dishware and utensils for kitchen and service staff
- Report equipment malfunctions to kitchen management
- Follow food safety and sanitation guidelines at all times
- Assist with basic food prep or kitchen cleaning tasks as needed
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- No prior experience required; on-the-job training provided
- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lb / 23 kg
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-heat environment
- Reliable attendance and punctuality
- Previous kitchen or food service experience
- Food handler certification
- Familiarity with commercial dishwashing equipment
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Dishwasher job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Dishwasher job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What experience is needed to hire a dishwasher?
- None typically; this is an entry-level role suited for candidates with no prior kitchen experience who are reliable and can work in a fast-paced environment.
- Is the dishwasher role physically demanding?
- Yes, it involves standing for long periods, repetitive motion, and lifting, often in a hot and humid kitchen environment.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Prep Cook
A prep cook prepares ingredients and components ahead of service to support efficient kitchen operations.
Cook
A Cook prepares menu items according to recipes and kitchen standards, working stations such as grill, sauté, or prep to ensure food is cooked correctly, plated consistently, and delivered on time.
Kitchen Manager
A Kitchen Manager oversees daily kitchen operations in a restaurant or food service establishment, ensuring food quality, safety, and efficiency.
This Dishwasher job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.