Culinary Worker II (Worcester Dining Commons)

University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Amherst's Worcester Dining Commons is seeking a Culinary Worker II to perform routine cooking, cleaning, and serving duties in a fast-paced dining operation. The role emphasizes following recipes, meal preparation, and maintaining sanitary food areas.

Responsibilities include large-quantity cooking, reading menus, cleaning equipment, assisting with more complex dishes, and ensuring food quality and safety.

Qualifications

• At least six months of food service experience or a culinary certificate.
• Food handler certification within six months of start date (ServSafe or approved program).
• Ability to cook a variety of simple meals and assist with more complex dishes.
• Ability to perform display cooking.
• Knowledge of sanitary methods for handling and serving food.
• Ability to use kitchen, dining room and food service equipment.

Responsibilities

• Cook food in large quantities by following recipes and SOPs; may display cook as assigned.
• Read computer-generated recipes and menus for simple meals.
• Clean cooking equipment and all dining/service areas to maintain sanitation.
• Peel, chop, wash, and cook foods for simple dishes.
• Transport food to storage and serving areas; serve diners.
• Assist with preparation of more complex dishes as needed.
• Roast, fry, boil, broil, and season meats and vegetables for daily meals.
• Measure and mix ingredients; use utensils to prepare soups, salads, sauces, and stews.
• Operate cutlery, grinders, and slicers; portion food for cooking.
• Evaluate food quality, temperature, and taste to ensure freshness and portions.
• Store foods in sanitary storage at proper temperatures.
• Communicate with Cook I/II/III to report problems.
• Make coffee and manage waste segregation.

Skills

Cooking variety

Display cooking

Equipment handling

Customer relations

Reading recipes

Education

Culinary certificate

Tools

ServSafe certification

Food handler certification

Job description

Title: Culinary Worker II (Worcester Dining Commons)

Executive Area: Administration and Finance

College/School/MBU: Auxiliary Enterprises

Department: Worcester Dining Commons

Work Location: Amherst

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.

Additional Details

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

Click here to view the Classified Step Scale

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with application, please submit a resume.

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.