Kitchen Assistant

Trustees of Mount Holyoke College; United States; On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) Retirement Plan

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Disability & Leave benefits

Life insurance (1x salary)

EAP

Job summary

Mount Holyoke College Dining Commons is hiring a Kitchen Assistant to support meal preparation and dishroom duties with a focus on safety and sanitation. The position is in-person and may involve some supervision of student staff.

The role requires physical stamina, the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, and willingness to obtain ServSafe certification. Union-backed compensation and benefits accompany this full-time role.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Knowledge of kitchen and dish-room equipment.
• Able to pass a health examination without restrictions.
• Able to lift 50 pounds without restrictions.
• Willingness to participate in ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain dish machines per proper procedures.
• Wash pots, pans, utensils; clean dish return area and service areas.
• Record Time & Temp logs and sanitizer pH in sinks and dish machines.
• Clean tables, chairs, mop floors between meals and as needed.
• Empty grease trap screens and keep them clean.
• Maintain clean, debris-free and sanitized work areas at all times.
• Assist in directing, supervising and training student staff as needed.
• Assist in putting away food orders and deliveries.

Skills

Communication

Physically fit

ServSafe willing

Teamwork

Dress code compliance

Job description

Job no: R-0000003425 Position Title: Kitchen Assistant Faculty or Staff: Staff Full Time or Part Time: Full time In-Person, Hybrid, or Remote: In-Person Minimum Starting Rate of Pay: Rate of pay commensurate with experience Start Date: 08/24/2026

Job Description

Mount Holyoke College Dining Commons offers a diverse array of cuisines tailored to meet various dietary preferences and needs. Our menu frequently rotates to provide students, faculty, and staff with an expansive selection. Highlights include the customizable WOK station, offering personalized stir fry 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.

Essential Functions

• Operating and maintaining dish machines according to proper procedures.
• Washing all pots, pans and utensils, cleans up the dish return area, dining rooms and service areas following proper health and sanitation practices.
• Recording accurate Time & Temp logs along with proper PH balance of sanitizers in pot sinks and dish machines.
• Washing all tables and chairs as needed, mops floors between meal periods or as needed, emptying trash and compost in proper receptacles.
• Emptying grease trap catch screens and keeping them clean.
• Keeping all work areas clean, free of debris and sanitized at all times.
• Maintaining the flow of dishes, silverware, pots, pans so they don’t get backed up and delivering them back to their designated areas.
• At times, will provide direction, supervision, and training to student staff and must maintain a high level of professionalism.
• Assists in putting away food orders and deliveries as needed.
• Working with others, including students, as well as work alone without supervision.

Qualifications

• Good communication skills, both written and orally.
• General knowledge of food and operation of kitchen/dish room equipment.
• Ability to pass a physical examination without restrictions.
• Ability to lift/move an average of 50 pounds without restrictions.
• Willingness to participate in a ServSafe class to obtain Food Protection Manager Certification.
• Ability to maintain an extraordinarily positive attitude in dealing with students and the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively and give direction to others.
• Must comply with safety and sanitation regulations as prescribed by law.
• Must comply with proper dress code as designated by the Department.

Entry Rate $20.43 - Working Rate $21.77

This position falls under a Union, which ensures fair compensation and benefits for all employees.

What We Offer

• 403(b) Retirement Plan (College contributes 9% 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

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.

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.