Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Performs routine manual and domestic job duties in a food service operation including pot washing, dish washing, cleaning, serving food and cooking. Primary duties are to wash pots and pans and to assist with various other cleaning and cooking tasks as needed. 

Essential Functions

• Washes pots and pans using either manual or mechanical means. 
• Cleans utensils and dishes by scraping and hand and machine washing. 
• Cleans food service area equipment, counters, floors, food carts, trays, and furniture. 
• Peels, chops, washes and cooks’ foods for simple dishes. 
• Transports food to and from storage areas, loads food carts, transports food to serving areas and serves food to diners. 
• Assists other food services staff with the preparation of more complex dishes. 
• Prepares coffee. 
• Operates kitchen equipment. 
• Separates and removes trash and garbage and places them in designated containers.     
   

Other Functions 

Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

• Knowledge of approved sanitary methods and procedures for the care and use of kitchen, dining room and food service equipment, as well as handling and serving food. 
• Ability to use kitchen, dining room and food service equipment. 
• Ability to cook a variety of simple meals and to assist in the preparation of more complex dishes. 
• Ability to follow simple oral and written instructions. 
• Ability to provide training, work assignments and functional supervision to student employees. 
• Ability to give oral and/or written instructions in a precise and understandable manner. 
• Ability to establish rapport, maintain harmonious working relationships and deal effectively with customers and agency personnel from varied ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds. 
• Willingness to work under exposure to the hazards of wet and slippery floors, seasonal high and low temperatures, and sharp surfaces. 
• Ability to read and understand recipes. 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions 

• Requires the ability to balance, carry, push, pull, stand, bend, reach, sit, twist, lift and perform repetitive movements. 
• Ability and stamina to perform manual tasks including standing for long periods of time, lifting, and carrying heavy objects, and working under conditions of seasonal high and low temperatures. 

Additional Details 

• This position is designated as essential personnel. 
• Based on assignment, incumbents may be required to obtain certification as food handlers through a recognized program approved by the University of Massachusetts. 

 Work Schedule 

• 40 hours per week; schedule will vary based on department needs; may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. 
• 35 weeks minimum. 

Salary Information

AFSCME Non-Exempt Grade 09. 

Special Instructions to Applicants 

 Please complete online application and provide contact information for (3) three, professional references. 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.