Casual Kitchen Runner

Employer: Amherst College

Location: Massachusetts, United States

Salary: Salary Not specified

Date posted: Oct 14, 2025

Position Type: Administrative, Business & Administrative Affairs, Food Services Management

Employment Level: Mid-Level

Employment Type: Part Time

Job Details

Casual Kitchen Runner

Amherst Campus

Part Time

JR5191

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Casual Kitchen Runner. The Casual Kitchen Runner is a part-time, casual position with no benefits.

The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $16.00-17.00 per hour.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations.

The Casual Kitchen Runner supports the efforts of Amherst College Dining Services in providing the diverse campus community with excellent service and production of our menus. This position assists the culinary team with the care and cleaning of all areas of the kitchen and the implementation and safe transport of our menu items.

The Casual Kitchen Runner supports the efforts of Dining Services to provide the campus community with excellent quality and customer service. The Casual Kitchen Runner maintains safe, clean, orderly, and sanitary conditions and assists with the execution of food and beverage service within the Dining Commons. The Runner takes appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

The work schedule varies based on the needs of the department. A mutually agreed upon schedule will be set during the job offer phase. The Casual Kitchen Runner position is part of essential services and should report to work or remain on duty, even when the college is closed. As our work is central to student life, their needs occur at a variety of times throughout the day, week, and year and in such, a flexible schedule with extended shift times is required.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Support Culinary Operations

• Wash and sanitize equipment, tables and work areas in support of production. Maintain appropriate levels of pans and cookware. Respond to intercom calls to replenish food at the serving areas. Clear communication between culinary and service teams.

Food Preparation

• Help support culinary operations with food prep as needed. Monitor and maintain dry goods within kitchen areas and maintain high levels of sanitation in all production areas. Keep food in warmers and refrigeration properly rotated.

Operational Support

• Assist with the removal of trash, recycling and compost from all areas. Help to maintain storage areas including trash, cardboard and compost machines. Supporting other areas including pots and pans as needed when operational necessary.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Keep all surfaces and food contact areas clean and sanitized. Daily cleaning of equipment, floors and storage areas to standard. Cleaning projects as assigned or within daily or weekly task lists.

Communication

• Regularly checking your Amherst.edu email is required to stay up to date on college-wide and departmental communications. This includes communication by email, message boards and the Daily Mammoth. Important information is shared through these communications that affect your job and help you stay up to date on specific departmental updates, upcoming meetings and events.

Qualifications:

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 1 to 3 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills including the ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Excellent customer service, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong time-management skills including the ability to multi-task and function efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to taste and work with any and all ingredients used.
• Commitment to effectively working with a diverse community.
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical and lift test.

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

To apply, visit https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Amherst_Jobs/job/Amherst-Campus/Casual-Kitchen-Runner_JR5191

Company

Amherst College prepares students to make a difference in the world. Our financial aid program is among the most substantial in the nation, and our student body is among the most diverse. At Amherst, you are part of a lively, inquisitive, devoted community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who find inspiration in one another and in the process of learning.

Since our 1821 founding, Amherst has demonstrated steadfast confidence in the value of the liberal arts and the importance of critical thinking. Small classes, an open curriculum and a singular focus on undergraduate education ensure that leading scholars engage daily with talented, curious students, equipping them for leadership in an increasingly global and complex world.

Offering competitive compensation packages and a multitude of programs and services for staff, Amherst works to enrich the working life and support the well-being of each and every employee.