Food Service Helper I (2026-2027)

Syracuse City School District•Syracuse, NY

About The Position

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged the Superintendent with improving student achievement, and she is seeking a dedicated and diverse team of educators to partner with her in moving the district toward its goals. The Syracuse City School District represents 35 schools and programs, including 6 high schools, 6 middle schools, 6 K-8 schools, 13 elementary schools, and 4 alternative education programs, serving approximately 19,000 students Pre-K–12. Of these students, 82.3% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 20.1% are served by the Office of Special Education, and 83% are students of color. LOCATIONS & HOURS: May vary depending on availability. The Food Service Department will confirm the location once an offer is made. DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS The work involves assisting in the preparation and serving of food, cleaning kitchen equipment and other light manual tasks incidental to the preparation of food in a school cafeteria. This is routine work, performed under direct supervision, consisting of food preparation and service such as preparing foods for cooking, placing food on trays and serving in dining area. Depending on the area of assignment, an employee in this class may participate in cooking food. However, cooking food should not be a regular or recurring function of an employee in this position. Assignments from supervisors are continuous and specific in nature and finished work is reviewed by inspection and observation of results obtained. Does related work as required.

Requirements

Working knowledge of the principles and practices of sanitation and personal hygiene as applied to food service and preparation.
Working knowledge of the care and use of food service equipment and cooking utensils.
Working knowledge of basic arithmetic.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to operate a cash register.
Cleanliness.
None.
This position requires a minimum education level of High School diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
The successful candidate will be required to pass a fingerprint-based background check, at the cost of $102.50 to the candidate.

Responsibilities

Cleans kitchens and dining rooms; performs a variety of cleaning and custodial work including washing dishes, pots and pans
Places juice, bread, butter and cereals on trays and carts
Stocks storeroom with supplies
Helps prepare salads, desserts, vegetables, soups and other hot foods
Prepares sandwich fillings and sandwiches
Sets up and refills food counter
Puts leftover food away
May reheat prepared food as needed to appropriate temperature
Opens canned foods and prepares them for serving
Takes food carts from kitchen to serving area
May inventory food and supplies
Operates cash register in cafeteria and maintains record of transactions