Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

Job Summary

Supervises and participates in the set-up of dining rooms and serving areas; assists in the serving of food and beverage; delivers and services coffee breaks and meals; supervision of personnel assigned to the function; assist with maintaining records; trains and supervises student employees.

Essential Functions

• Supervise and assist in training staff and student employees during catered events to ensure high-quality service, proper food service duties, and presentation standards; may also support scheduling and evaluation.
• Check in with client at the time of the event to coordinate event-specific details and special requests and develop plan to fulfill or exceed client’s expectations.
• Coordinate and execute food and beverage services for events by interpreting function sheets, setting up and serving guests according to department standards, and preparing, portioning, and storing food in compliance with sanitation guidelines to ensure quality and minimize waste.
• Clean and help supervise the maintenance of equipment and work areas to ensure sanitation and department cleanliness standards are met.
• Assist in resolution of customer complaints by providing substitute or additional service or product to maintain good customer relations.
• Operates vehicles and power-driven equipment, such as trucks, lift gates, and dollies, to transport goods on and off campus.
• Operates manual and mechanical food service equipment, such as coffee machines, heat lamps, ovens, and holding cabinets, to prepare and serve products to customers.
• Maintaining the delivery vehicles; including cleanliness, regular preventative maintenance, as well as fueling vehicles. 
• Performs manual labor in a stockroom, storeroom, or warehouse such as loading or unloading very heavy freight, unpacking and storing goods, filling requisition orders, weighing and packing materials, and cleaning and organizing the storeroom area.
• Maintains records of meals served and other records pertaining to the operation of the assigned unit-captain report.
• Takes inventories using standard forms and established procedures.

 Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Two years of experience in a food service supervisory capacity. At least one year of food service experience in a hotel, restaurant, cafeteria, retail or catering operation.  A diploma or certification from a trade or vocational school with a major in culinary arts may be substituted for the required experience.
• 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).
• Valid Driver’s license (Class D)
• Working knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment normally used in food handling and storage.
• Working knowledge of food service sanitation procedures.
• Working knowledge of food service equipment used in catered functions.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to provide oral and written instructions in a precise and understandable manner.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and make reports.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Requires the ability to balance, carry, push, pull, stand, bend, reach, twist, lift and perform repetitive movements.
• Catering requires employees to pack equipment and transport equipment around campus by walking or operating a motor vehicle.

Additional Details

This position is designated as essential personnel.

Work Schedule

• Schedule varies based on events and department needs; may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• 40 hours per week.

Salary Information

AFSCME Non-Exempt Grade 12.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please complete online application and provide contact information for (3) three professional references.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.