Departmental Assistant (Kitchen Assistant - UMass Dining)

UMass Amherst; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

UMass Amherst in Amherst, MA is seeking a part-time Kitchen Assistant (Departmental Assistant) to support dining services in the Campus Center/Student Union. The role involves cooking, cleaning, serving, and basic cash-handling duties as needed.

Responsibilities include following recipes, preparing simple meals, maintaining sanitary kitchens, and assisting with more complex dishes. Schedule varies, with weekday/weekend shifts in an onsite dining setting.

Qualifications

• One year cooking experience or equivalent preferred.
• Ability to read and follow simple recipes and instructions.
• Knowledge of sanitary methods for handling and serving food.
• Ability to operate basic kitchen equipment and tools.

Responsibilities

• Cook food in large quantities by following recipes and SOPs.
• Prepare simple meals and assist with more complex dishes.
• Clean cooking equipment, work areas and dining spaces to maintain sanitation.
• Transport and serve prepared foods to diners; assist with display cooking.
• Operate cash register for sales as needed; follow cash handling procedures.
• Collaborate with Cook I-III and other staff to ensure smooth service.

Skills

Cooking experience

Food handling knowledge

Follow instructions

Team communication

Tools

Kitchen equipment

Job description

Title: Departmental Assistant (Kitchen Assistant - UMass Dining)

Executive Area: Administration and Finance

College/School/MBU: Auxiliary Enterprises

Department: Campus Center/Student Union

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule:part time

Work Arrangement:Onsite

Job Summary

The Kitchen Assistant (Departmental Assistant) 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 service work as needed. May be required to operate a cash register to make cash sales transactions.

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.
• Communicate 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 other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of cooking experience.
• Ability to cook a variety of simple meals and to assist in the preparation of more complex dishes.
• 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 provide training, work assignments and functional supervision to student employees.
• Ability to give oral and/or written instructions in precise and understandable manner.
• Willingness to work varied shifts and irregular hours including weekends, holidays and nights.
• Ability to read and understand recipes.
• 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).

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Details

This position will be within any of the Auxiliary Enterprises locations such as Berkshire Dining Hall, Hampshire Dining Hall, Franklin Dining Hall, Worcester Dining Hall, Blue Wall Cafe, and other Auxiliary Enterprises Cafe.

The successful applicant will be a part of the bargaining unit after working at least (10) hours per week and (6) weeks in a calendar year.

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

Schedule will vary based on departmental needs and may include nights, weekends, and holidays. This is a temporary position for the 2026 - 2027 UMass Academic Year and employment will be from date of hire up to 5/29/2027.

Salary Information

Pay Grade:No Pay Grade

Associated Pay Grade:

Hourly Rate:$15.00 - $19.00

Special Instructions for Applicants

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.