Culinary Worker II (Worcester Dining Commons)

UMass Amherst; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Amherst is seeking a Culinary Worker II for Worcester Dining Commons to support cooking, cleaning and serving duties in a busy food service operation. The role emphasizes following recipes, food safety and teamwork in a cafeteria setting.

Responsibilities include cooking in quantity, reading menus, preparing simple dishes, and ensuring sanitary storage and display cooking when needed. The position is on-site with a rotating schedule and requires compliance with health standards.

Qualifications

• At least six months of food service experience or completion of culinary certificate program.
• Must be certified as a food handler within six months of start date (e.g., 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 sanitary methods for handling and serving food.
• Ability to use kitchen equipment safely and effectively.
• Ability to read and follow simple oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work with customers and colleagues in a diverse environment.

Responsibilities

• Cooks food in large quantities by following recipes and SOPs. May perform display cooking as assigned.
• Reads computer generated recipes and menus for simple meals.
• Cleans cooking equipment, work areas, food areas, counters, floors, carts, trays and utensils.
• Preps ingredients: peels, chops, washes, and cooks foods for simple dishes.
• Transports food to storage and serving areas, and serves food to diners.
• Assists other staff with preparation of more complex dishes.
• Roasts, fries, boils, broilS and seasons meats, fish, poultry, vegetables, and other foods.
• Measures and mixes ingredients according to recipes and uses kitchen tools.
• Evaluates food quality, quantity, appearance, temperature, and taste.
• Separates and removes trash and places in designated containers.

Skills

Food service experience

Food handler certification

Cooking simple meals

Display cooking

Recipe reading

Kitchen equipment safety

Customer service

Teamwork

Education

Culinary certificate

ServSafe certification

Job description

Culinary Worker II (Worcester Dining Commons)

Title: Culinary Worker II (Worcester Dining Commons)

Executive Area: Administration and Finance

College/School/MBU: Auxiliary Enterprises

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

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

• 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 (6) 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 give and follow simple oral and written instructions.
• 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.

This position is designated as essential personnel.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in custodial or dining service environments, and entails prolonged standing, carrying loads, and use of cleaning chemicals or food service equipment.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

4:30pm - 12:30pm; rotating weekends and holidays.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: AFSCME Grade 09

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.