Food Service Lead-Cedar Falls High School

Cedar Falls Community Schools•Cedar Falls, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Food Service Lead helps deliver fresh, nutritious meals to the school community by leading kitchen operations, supporting team members, maintaining food-safety and quality standards, and helping meal programs run smoothly across assigned district schools. The role includes preparing meals and special-diet items, supporting recipe testing and menu development, coordinating food for satellite schools and district events, and assisting with kitchen inventory, deliveries, and routine records. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver’s license with a clear driving record, and a valid ServSafe Certification or commitment to complete it in June after hire. Prior institutional or K-12 nutrition experience or team-lead experience is a plus. The schedule is 7.5 hours per day and follows the school calendar, with summers, holidays, and weekends off. The role may require lifting or moving up to 50 pounds and completing a post-offer physical, drug screening, and standard background checks.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid ServSafe Certification, or commitment to complete certification in June after hire.
Valid driver’s license with a clear driving record for delivery and satellite-school needs.
Basic math skills for recipe conversions and inventory tracking.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a team-first and student-centered approach.
Ability to multitask, stay organized, and work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen setting.
Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds as needed.
Completion of a post-offer physical, drug screening, and standard background checks.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in institutional or K-12 nutrition.
Prior team-lead experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare high-quality meal items using standardized recipes, safe culinary techniques, and proper portion control.
Participate in recipe testing and new product development.
Prepare special dietary meals according to directions and student needs.
Evaluate food quality by sight, taste, and smell before serving.
Coordinate food staging and delivery for satellite school meals and outside district events.
Guide, coach, and direct kitchen team members during daily operations.
Assist in training staff on standardized recipes, portioning, and proper equipment operation.
Foster a positive, collaborative, and friendly environment for staff and students.
Assist flexibly across kitchen areas as needed.
Maintain clean, orderly work areas, equipment, freezers, and storage rooms in accordance with health and safety guidelines.
Ensure proper food thawing, cooling, and cooking temperatures and maintain accurate production records.
Calibrate thermometers regularly and maintain sanitation standards.
Follow district dress-code and personal-hygiene guidelines for food safety.
Maintain daily inventory records of food and non-food supplies used within the department.
Inform the Food Service Manager about inventory needs, supplies, and equipment-care requirements.
Assist with receiving, organizing, and storing food and supply deliveries.
Operate a district delivery vehicle as needed to transport food or supplies between schools or satellite locations safely and on time.
Use basic computer skills to record food production and inventory data and handle routine communications.