Cook

Trustees of Mount Holyoke College; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement plan

Medical, dental, vision insurance

FSA

Disability & leave benefits

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Tuition benefits

Generous PTO

Dining facilities access

Job summary

Mount Holyoke College Dining Commons is hiring a Cook for a 34-week academic year role in person. You will prepare diverse cuisines, ensure safety, and support menu planning and inventory. Opportunities include WOK, Halal, Kosher options, and a strong emphasis on quality, sanitation, and customer service.

The role requires at least 2 years in high-volume prep, ServSafe or willingness to obtain, and excellent English communication. Union-backed positions with comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in high-volume food preparation.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination without restrictions.
• Strong written and verbal communication in English.
• ServSafe certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Certification in allergen training or willingness to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Prepare recipes using safe handling and proper techniques.
• Adhere to sanitation and BOH regulations, including receiving and storage.
• Record daily temperatures and maintain production records for safety.
• Assist with menu planning and inventory management on a daily basis.
• Follow proper dress code and maintain a neat, safe work area.
• Collaborate with culinary team to ensure smooth operations.
• Cook using boiling, roasting, sautéing, steaming, baking, frying, grilling.
• Customize meals for dietary restrictions and customer preferences.
• Provide accurate allergen information and labeling.
• Use standardized recipes to maintain quality and presentation.

Skills

Food safety

High-volume prep

Tempera ture control

Team collaboration

Record keeping

Education

ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain)

Allergen training certification (or willingness to obtain)

Job description

Job Details

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 of cuisines tailored to meet various dietary preferences and need. Our menu frequently rotates to provide students, faculty, and staff with an expansive selection. Highlights include the customizable WOK station, offering personalized stir0fry dishes, and the Baraka station, specializing is Halal cuisine. For those seeking Kosher options, the L’Chaim station is available. Our culinary team is dedicated to crafting nutritious, flavorful meals that cater to the diverse tastes of our students, faculty, and staff. We prioritize safety and sanitation in All meal preparations. In addition to Vegan and Vegetarian options, we strive to create an inclusive dining environment where every person, despite their dietary needs can enjoy healthy and delicious foods. This is a 34-week academic year position, running from September through May. Please note that services may not be required during periods when school is not in session.

Essential Job Functions

• Preparation of recipes while ensuring safe handling and proper food 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 maintain production records to ensure food safety, compliance with BOH regulations.
• Complete administrative tasks such as providing accurate information for menu planning and inventory management on a daily basis.
• Comply with the proper dress code designated by the Dining Department an be neat in appearance and work habits to comply with safety and sanitation regulations.
• Collaboration with culinary team members to facilitate smooth and efficient operations.
• Food preparation using methods such as boiling, roasting, sautéing, steaming, baking, frying, and grilling/broiling.
• Customization of meals to accommodate customer preferences and dietary restrictions.
• Assurance of accurate allergen information and ingredient labeling.
• Consistent use of standardized recipes to maintain food quality and presentation.
• Batch cooking to minimize waste and ensure fresh food availability.
• Implementation of inventory management practices, including regular inventory counts and First in, First out (FIFO) method utilization.
• Proper maintenance of cooking equipment and up-keep a clean and organized workspace.
• Display a positive and cooperative attitude while maintain a strong work ethic.
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in high-volume food preparation.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination without restrictions.
• Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills, along with a proficient understanding of the English language.
• ServSafe certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Certification in allergen training or willingness to obtain one.
• Commitment to exceptional customer service and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference of 3 years of experience in high-volume food preparation, preferably in a higher education setting or quality restaurant setting.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills.

Hiring Range

$28.76-$30.66

What We Offer

• 403(b) Retirement Plan (College contributes 9.5% of salary)
• 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 Dining Video

Union

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

Background Check

Background Checks: Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate background checks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Office of Human Resources as the office responsible for ensuring that background checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & Driver Credential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process and Five College Office of Compliance and Risk Management as the office responsible for facilitating background checks as articulated in this policy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Mount Holyoke College is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) Mount Holyoke College, the leading gender-diverse women’s college, is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We are a diverse community of staff, faculty, and students, united in our mission to offer an intellectually adventurous education in the liberal arts through academic programs that are renowned internationally for their cross-disciplinary excellence, experiential approach, and commitment to diversity. Mount Holyoke College is a welcoming and inclusive environment that values and respects individuals of all backgrounds. As an EOE, we encourage members of historically underrepresented groups or nontraditional backgrounds to apply for open positions at our institution. The College has a long-standing tradition of providing women and other historically underrepresented groups with access to an innovative educational experience that prepares students for purposeful leadership by integrating hands‑on opportunities into the curriculum. We firmly believe that diversity enriches our community and enhances our ability to prepare students for success in an increasingly globalized world. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all qualified applicants and to building an exemplary workforce that reflects the diversity of our student body and the communities we serve. Our ultimate goal is to produce graduates who are capable of engaging thoughtfully, effectively, and boldly with the world.