Cook

Mount Holyoke College; South Hadley (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement plan

Medical, dental, vision insurance

FSA

Life Insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Access to Kendall Sports Complex

Job summary

Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, invites applications for a full-time Cook in the Dining Commons. The role is in-person, 34 weeks per academic year, with responsibilities spanning menu execution, safety, quality, and customer service.

Start date is 11/16/2026 and compensation includes a union wage in a structured dining program. The position offers a starting rate around $28.76 per hour, with typical progression up to $30.66, and a benefits package including retirement, health plans,

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• ServSafe certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Certification in allergen training or willingness to obtain one.
• Commitment to exceptional customer service and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Prepare recipes with safe handling and proper cooking techniques.
• Adhere to sanitation and BOH regulations including receiving and storage procedures.
• Record daily temperatures and maintain production records for safety and compliance.
• Assist with menu planning and daily inventory management.
• Follow proper dress code and maintain a neat, safe workspace.
• Collaborate with culinary team to ensure smooth operations.
• Cook using boiling, roasting, sautéing, steaming, baking, frying, and grilling methods.
• Customize meals to accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions.
• Ensure accurate allergen labeling and ingredient information.
• Maintain standardized recipes to ensure consistent quality and presentation.
• Batch cook to minimize waste and ensure fresh food availability.
• Implement FIFO inventory practices.

Job description

Job no: R-0000003723

Position Title: Cook

Faculty or Staff: Staff

Full Time or Part Time: Full time

In-Person, Hybrid, or Remote: In-Person

Minimum Starting Rate of Pay: $28.76

Rate of pay commensurate with experience

Start Date: 11/16/2026

Job Description:

Mount Holyoke College Dining Commons offers a diverse array ofcuisines tailored to meet various dietary preferences and need. Ourmenu frequently rotates to provide students, faculty, and staffwith an expansive selection. Highlights include the customizableWOK station, offering personalized stir0fry dishes, and the Barakastation, specializing is Halal cuisine. For those seeking Kosheroptions, the L’Chaim station is available.

Our culinary team is dedicated to crafting nutritious, flavorfulmeals that cater to the diverse tastes of our students, faculty,and staff. We prioritize safety and sanitation in All mealpreparations. In addition to Vegan and Vegetarian options, westrive to create an inclusive dining environment where everyperson, despite their dietary needs can enjoy healthy and deliciousfoods.

This is a 34-week academic year position, running from Septemberthrough May. Please note that services may not be required duringperiods when school is not in session.

Essential Job Functions:

• Preparation of recipes while ensuring safe handling and properfood preparation techniques.
• Adherence to sanitation and Board of Health (BOH) regulations,including proper receiving and storage procedures.
• Record daily temperatures of all food items and maintainproduction records to ensure food safety, compliance with BOHregulations.
• Complete administrative tasks such as providing accurateinformation for menu planning and inventory management on a dailybasis.
• Comply with the proper dress code designated by the DiningDepartment an be neat in appearance and work habits to comply withsafety and sanitation regulations.
• Collaboration with culinary team members to facilitate smoothand efficient operations.
• Food preparation using methods such as boiling, roasting,sautéing, steaming, baking, frying, and grilling/broiling.
• Customization of meals to accommodate customer preferences anddietary restrictions.
• Assurance of accurate allergen information and ingredientlabeling.
• Consistent use of standardized recipes to maintain food qualityand presentation.
• Batch cooking to minimize waste and ensure fresh foodavailability.
• Implementation of inventory management practices, includingregular inventory counts and First in, First out (FIFO) methodutilization.
• Proper maintenance of cooking equipment and up-keep a clean andorganized workspace.
• Display a positive and cooperative attitude while maintain astrong work ethic.
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new onesmay be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in high-volume foodpreparation.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination withoutrestrictions.
• Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills,along with a proficient understanding of the English language.
• ServSafe certification or willingness to obtaincertification.
• Certification in allergen training or willingness to obtainone.
• Commitment to exceptional customer service andprofessionalism

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference of 3 years of experience in high-volume foodpreparation, preferably in a higher education setting or qualityrestaurant setting.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills

Hiring Range: $28.76-$30.66

Please note that this position falls under a Union, which ensuresfair compensation and benefits for all employees.

What We Offer:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan (College contributes 9.5% ofsalary)
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Disability and Leave Benefits
• Life Insurance (College paid coverage 1x salary)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Benefits (to Mount Holyoke College or others)
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Access to Kendall Sports & Dance Complex

DiningVideo

Background Checks:

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secureenvironment, supported by qualified employees that will allow allof its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them tosuccessfully carry out the mission of the college. As a conditionof employment, the College will conduct appropriate backgroundchecks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Officeof Human Resources as the office responsible for ensuringthatbackground checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & DriverCredential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process andFive College Office of Compliance and Risk Management as the officeresponsible for facilitating background checks as articulated inthis policy.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a liedetector test as a condition of employment or continuedemployment.