Departmental Assistant (Charles River Campus Culinary Assistant)

UMass AmherstNewton, MA
$15 - $19Onsite

About The Position

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. May be required to operate a cash register to make cash sales transactions.

Requirements

  • One year of cooking experience in the hospitality trade.
  • 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.
  • 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).

Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
© 2026 Teal Labs, Inc
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service