Kitchen Runner

About the role

Amherst College invites applications for the Kitchen Runner position. The Kitchen Runner is a full-time, year-round position. The Kitchen Runner supports Amherst College Dining Services by maintaining the flow, cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of kitchen and service areas within the dining hall. Working as part of the culinary team, this role transports and replenishes food and supplies, cleans and sanitizes assigned areas and equipment, supports service needs, and helps maintain a safe and efficient operation. The Kitchen Runner responds to changing priorities throughout service while ensuring work areas remain clean, organized, sanitary, and well-stocked. All Dining Services employees are responsible for understanding and implementing established food safety procedures and allergen prevention protocols. Team members must actively support and respond appropriately to individuals with food allergies to ensure a safe dining experience for all community members. Employees are expected to apply the knowledge and procedures covered in mandatory training sessions in the course of their daily duties. Maintaining these safety standards is essential to protect the health and well-being of our students, guests, and colleagues. 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 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.

Responsibilities

• Cleans and sanitizes kitchen, production, storage, and service areas, including floors, work surfaces, carts, equipment, and shelving.
• Supports setup, replenishment, and breakdown of kitchen and service areas.
• Transports food, supplies, smallwares, and equipment safely throughout the dining operation.
• Monitors food and supply levels and communicates operational needs proactively.
• Assists with receiving, storing, rotating, and organizing food and supplies.
• Removes waste, recycling, cardboard, and other materials following established procedures.
• Responds promptly to spills, sanitation concerns, and changing operational priorities.
• Collaborates with culinary, service, and sanitation teams to maintain clean, organized, and efficient operations.
• Performs basic food preparation, including washing, cutting, portioning, assembling, packaging, and labeling ingredients and menu items.
• Follows standardized recipes, portioning guidelines, food safety standards, and established preparation procedures.
• Assists with preparing and staging food and ingredients for production and service.
• Maintains clean, organized, and sanitary work areas throughout food preparation.

Qualifications

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 1-3 years of equivalent work experience in lieu of minimum education and related experience.
• Ability to work efficiently in a high-volume, fast-paced dining environment.
• Ability to perform routine cleaning, sanitation, and basic food preparation.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and respond to changing operational needs.
• Ability to safely use cleaning chemicals, sanitation supplies, kitchen tools, and equipment.
• Ability to follow food safety, sanitation, recipes, and operational procedures.
• Strong attention to cleanliness, organization, and detail.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.
• An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check.
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical and lift test.