Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst  

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.  

Job Summary  

Performs routine manual and domestic job duties in a food service operation including cooking, cleaning, and serving food. The basic purpose of this work is to perform cooking tasks and assist with cleaning and food serving work as needed.    

Essential Functions  

• Cooks food in large quantities by following recipes and standard operating procedures.  May be required to perform display cooking as assigned.

• Reads computer generated recipes and menus for the preparation of simple meals.  

• Cleans cooking equipment, work areas, food areas, counters, floors, food carts, trays, furniture, utensils, dishes, pots and pans by scraping, hand washing and machine washing.  

• 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.  

• Roasts, fries, boils, broils and seasons meats, fish, poultry, vegetables, and other foods required for daily meals.  

• Measures and mixes ingredients according to recipes.  

• Uses kitchen utensils and equipment to prepare soups, salads, desserts, dressings, gravies, sauces, and stews.  

• Operates cutlery, grinders, and slicers to prepare and portion food for cooking.  

• Evaluates food for quality, quantity, appearance, temperature, and taste by tasting and observing to determine proper freshness, preparation, and portioning.  

• Stores foods in sanitary storage areas and at proper temperature to prevent spoilage.  

• Communicates with Cook I, Cook II and Cook III employees to report food and menu problems.  

• Makes coffee.  

• Separates and removes trash and garbage, and places them in designated containers.  

Other Functions  

• Performs related work as required.  

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

• Incumbents of this position must have at least six (6) months of food service experience or completion of culinary certificate program.  

• Incumbents must be certified as food handlers within six months of the appointment start date through a recognized program approved by the University of Massachusetts (i.e. ServSafe).   

• Ability to cook a variety of simple meals and to assist in the preparation of more complex dishes.  

• Ability to perform display cooking.  

• Knowledge of approved sanitary methods and procedures for the handling and serving of food.  

• Knowledge of approved sanitary methods and procedures for the care and use of kitchen, dining room and food service equipment.  

• Ability to use kitchen, dining room and food service equipment.  

• Ability to follow simple oral and written instructions.  

• Ability to give oral and/or written instructions in precise and understandable manner.  

• Ability to establish rapport, maintain harmonious working relationships and deal effectively with customers and agency personnel from varied backgrounds.  

• Ability to read and understand recipes.  

• Willingness to communicate with customers while performing display cooking.  

Physical Demands/Working Conditions  

• Requires the ability to balance, carry, push, pull, stand, bend, reach, 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.  

• Exposure to the hazards of wet and slippery floors, seasonal high and low temperatures, and sharp surfaces. 

Additional Details  

• This position is designated as essential personnel.  

Work Schedule  

• 40 hours per week; Varies 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.  

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.