Kitchen Assistant

Douglas County School District•Parker, CO

8d•$17 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Kitchen Assistant provides support with the daily preparation, service, and sale of meals in a school lunch program, following department regulations, recipes, food-safety requirements, and sanitation standards. The role also promotes positive community relations and customer service among Nutrition Services staff, school staff, students, parents, and other community members. The position involves preparing food, setting up and cleaning serving areas, operating kitchen equipment and a point-of-sale system, receiving and storing deliveries, recording food temperatures, and reconciling daily funds. The assistant may travel to multiple schools when requested and must adapt to changing assignments and kitchen needs. The position requires 25 scheduled hours per week over approximately 172 work days per year.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders to support positive outcomes.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including English-language ability to read and comprehend written, graphic, and oral instructions.
Generally positive attitude and ability to cooperate and work with a wide variety of people.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to observe District policies and procedures.
Ability to follow recipes, verbal instructions, food-preparation requirements, portion sizes, and food-safety and sanitation standards.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of student information.
Frequent standing, walking, reaching, lifting, bending, kneeling, stooping, squatting, climbing, pushing, twisting, and pulling; must handle items weighing 40 pounds or less, including occasional overhead lifting.
Ability to stand or walk for 95% of the workday; occasionally climb and balance using a step stool.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as lifting, keypad entry, chopping, and filling and sealing packaging, including fast repeated finger, hand, and wrist movements.
Ability to use both hands to grasp, grip, move, or operate objects or equipment.

Responsibilities

Assist with preparation, service, and sale of meals in compliance with department regulations.
Wash, clean, peel, cut, and chop fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat; follow standard recipes, portion sizes, and verbal instructions.
Set up and clean serving areas; wash dishes and sanitize workstations.
Follow HACCP standards and safety precautions; use and clean kitchen equipment properly.
Take and record food cooking and serving temperatures as required by HACCP standards.
Independently follow menus and recipes and comply with requirements for food preparation, temperature, appearance, and portion sizes.
Assist with unloading and properly storing delivered food items.
Learn and operate the point-of-sale system and reconcile monies daily.
Promote positive relationships with community members, Nutrition Services staff, school staff, students, and parents, with a focus on customer service.
Communicate effectively in writing and verbally, including through email and computers, and maintain confidentiality of student information.
Participate in training, including PGI classes, and annually complete required USDA Mandatory Professional Standards training hours.
May lead training for other kitchen staff; pursue awareness of regulatory changes and provide sustainable solutions.
Travel to multiple schools when requested and adapt work schedule to kitchen-site needs.
Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.