Onsite Kitchen and Food Prep Assistant - Part-Time

UMass Amherst; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 26,174; Part time

Job summary

UMass Amherst in Amherst, MA seeks a part-time Kitchen Assistant (Departmental Assistant) to perform cooking, cleaning and food service duties in a busy dining operation. The role involves following recipes, operating basic equipment and serving food to diners.

This temporary fall 2026 position requires one year cooking experience, ability to handle meals and maintain sanitary practices, and willingness to work varied shifts including nights and weekends. Onsite work in campus dining halls.

Qualifications

• One year of cooking experience.
• Ability to cook a variety of simple meals.
• Knowledge of approved sanitary methods for handling and serving food.
• Knowledge of 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 train, assign tasks and supervise student employees.
• Willingness to work varied shifts including weekends, holidays and nights.
• Must read and understand recipes.
• Must obtain food handler certification within six months of start date.

Responsibilities

• Cooks food in large quantities by following recipes and SOPs.
• Reads computer-generated recipes and menus for simple meals.
• Cleans cooking equipment, work areas, counters, and utensils.
• Peels, chops, washes and cooks foods for simple dishes.
• Transports food to storage, serving areas and diners.
• Assists staff with preparation of more complex dishes.
• Roasts, fries, boils, broils and seasons meats, fish and vegetables.
• Measures and mixes ingredients according to recipes.
• Uses kitchen utensils and equipment to prepare soups, salads, desserts, gravies and sauces.
• Operates cutlery, grinders and slicers to portion food for cooking.
• Evaluates food quality, temperature and taste.
• Stores foods in sanitary storage areas at proper temperatures.
• Communicates with Cook I-III about food and menu issues.
• Makes coffee.
• Separates and removes trash to designated containers.

Skills

Cooking

Food handling

Sanitation knowledge

Recipe reading

Team communication

Job description

UMass Amherst in Amherst, MA seeks a part-time Kitchen Assistant (Departmental Assistant) to perform cooking, cleaning and food service duties in a busy dining operation. The role involves following recipes, operating basic equipment and serving food to diners.

This temporary fall 2026 position requires one year cooking experience, ability to handle meals and maintain sanitary practices, and willingness to work varied shifts including nights and weekends. Onsite work in campus dining halls.