Food Service Assistant (Part-time): Renton, WA

Bezos Academy•Renton, WA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Bezos Academy is hiring a part-time Food Service Assistant at its Renton - North Highlands preschool. The role manages food preparation and service, kitchen operations, meal compliance, food safety, inventory, documentation, and vendor coordination. The assistant also supports school operations and staff with tasks such as laundry and front desk coverage, and may provide classroom supervision and support as needed. This is a non-exempt, hourly role requiring at least 25 hours per week on a regular Monday-through-Friday schedule. The expected shift is 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily, though school leaders determine schedules based on school and community needs. Additional hours may occasionally be available based on school needs. Compensation is $22–$33 per hour (approximately $47,000–$69,000 annually); starting pay depends on qualifications and prior experience. The role includes accrued paid care (sick) time and a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match. The Food Service Assistant serves meals in accordance with USDA requirements, Bezos Academy policies, and local childcare regulations. Duties vary with site needs and may include additional responsibilities when food is prepared on-site or the school participates in CACFP. The position also supports classroom routines and children’s daily living skills, while contributing to team meetings, school activities, and staff development.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
Pass background checks and complete all trainings required by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families upon hire.
Know cooking methods and procedures, including different types of food preparation.
Be able to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods, and perform repetitive tasks involved in safely preparing and serving food.
Have experience in an institutional or highly regulated kitchen or food setting and a clear understanding of food-preparation best practices and protocols.
Hold an active, current food worker card.
Understand the Washington food and beverage worker manual.
Speak, read, and write English fluently.
Have basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within USDA and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines.
Two or more years of experience working in a school (preschool, early childhood education, daycare, or K–12) or a similar kitchen setting.
Working knowledge of food allergens, intolerances, preferences, and accommodations.
Prior experience as an Assistant Teacher in a preschool setting.
An associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or two years of post-secondary coursework in Early Childhood Education.
Experience with Montessori pedagogy.
Experience with children with special needs.
Fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Place weekly food orders based on student attendance trends and food-waste analysis.
Receive and verify food deliveries, confirm quantities and menu alignment, and follow the Emergency Food SOP when meals are non-compliant.
Manage routine vendor performance and address incorrect or spoiled deliveries as applicable.
Ensure meals served to students comply with requirements and document menu changes.
Track food consumption and waste to manage food costs.
Prepare and deliver meals and utensils to classrooms on schedule; serve meals at family engagement and school events as needed.
Follow food hygiene and safety protocols; clean, sanitize, and maintain the kitchen, equipment, utensils, cookware, and dishes.
Organize food inventory by labeling, dating, rotating stock, and discarding items nearing expiration according to food safety guidelines.
Record food temperatures before each meal service.
Accommodate dietary needs, including allergies, medical restrictions, and cultural or religious requirements.
When food is prepared on-site, order groceries, verify deliveries, prepare meals according to the menu and schedule, adapt recipes and menus for dietary restrictions and to prevent waste, and help plan nutritious, budget-friendly, appealing menus.
When the school participates in CACFP, retain vendor delivery receipts for three years, ensure portions meet meal-pattern requirements, review and upload meal counts weekly, provide documentation for menu substitutions, attend required annual sponsor CACFP training, and clock in and out of Workday for food-related responsibilities.
Provide classroom coverage as needed and assist teachers with implementing school performance standards, policies, procedures, and classroom regulations.
Support classroom routines such as cleaning materials, meal preparation, and nap-time transitions; organize materials and workspaces to support learning.
Support children’s independence with daily living skills and provide one-to-one support to children experiencing big feelings.
Develop positive relationships with children.
Assist the Head of School and staff with other operational duties when kitchen work is complete, including laundry and front desk support.
Participate in team meetings, center activities, and staff development.