Food Service Specialist - IDEA Harlingen (Immediate Opening)

IDEA Public Schools • Harlingen, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Food Service Specialist assists with the operation of a food preparation and service establishment, serving customers, stocking supplies, operating equipment and point-of-sale systems, and maintaining clean food-service areas. The role supports meal service for students and works under the supervision of the Cafeteria Manager. Duties include food preparation such as cutting and chopping produce, following recipes and established kitchen processes, monitoring students during meal periods, and completing kitchen cleaning tasks.

This is a full-time, on-site position at IDEA Harlingen with no travel and no supervisory responsibilities. The position supports food preparation, food safety and quality assurance, customer service, equipment and space upkeep, accurate meal counts, and delivery of meals according to campus schedules. The role also involves loading and unloading food and non-food products weekly.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of work experience in a job demonstrating the ability to handle physical activity while on one's feet for multiple hours.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds alone and up to 50 pounds with a partner.
• Ability to bend, pull, push, twist, stand, and walk during a work shift.
• Ability to obtain a locally recognized manager food safety certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation, food safety, and food quality assurance for students.
• Provide customer service and interact daily with staff, students, and families.
• Operate food-service equipment and maintain food-service spaces and equipment; notify the manager of equipment malfunctions.
• Perform cafeteria cleaning, including sweeping, mopping, wiping tables, washing dishes, disposing of trash, and moving cafeteria tables and mobile work vending stations.
• Load and unload food and non-food products weekly.
• Encourage students to participate in the meal program, especially when they are not eating.
• Ensure student meal counts are accurate and recorded as meals are delivered.
• Ensure reimbursable meals are offered to students.
• Ensure meals are ready according to campus schedules for breakfast, lunch, snack, and supper.
• Follow recipes and report errors to the Cafeteria Manager.
• Follow established processes and procedures and discuss with the Cafeteria Manager any situations where they cannot be fully followed.
• Monitor students during meal periods for appropriate behavior, encourage consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and prevent food sharing.

Benefits

• Performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment.
• Medical plan with the majority of the employee premium covered and the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children subsidized.
• Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, subject to tenure and caregiver designation.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to 50% of tuition for a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 per year, subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
• Employer-paid mental and behavioral health support, including five face-to-face counseling sessions per year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services.
• Dental and vision plans.
• Disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Parenting benefits.
• Generous vacation time.
• Referral bonuses.
• Professional development.
• Relocation allowance may be offered, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed