Kitchen Assistant
About The Position
The Kitchen Assistant provides assistance with the daily preparation, service, and sale of the school lunch program while promoting positive community relations with students, parents, school staff, Nutrition Services staff, and other community members. The role follows department and school food regulations, HACCP standards, and health department sanitation requirements. The position is based at Mesa Middle School, is scheduled for 20 hours per week and 172 work days per year, and may require travel to multiple schools based on site needs. Work schedule flexibility is required to meet kitchen site demands.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders to support positive outcomes.
- Effective oral and written communication skills in English.
- Ability to read and understand written, graphic, and oral instructions.
- Generally positive attitude.
- Follow District policies and procedures.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of people, learn new concepts, and adapt to different assignments and conditions.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of student information.
- Meet the physical demands of frequent standing, walking, reaching, lifting items weighing 40 pounds or less (including occasional overhead lifting), bending, kneeling, stooping, squatting, climbing, pushing, twisting, and pulling; standing or walking for 95% of the workday.
- Occasional climbing and balancing using a step stool; repetitive hand and finger motions for tasks such as keypad entry, chopping, filling, and sealing packaging; ability to use both hands to grasp, grip, move, or operate objects or equipment.
Responsibilities
- Set up and clean serving areas for timely student meal service, including dishwashing and sanitizing workstations.
- Follow HACCP standards and safety precautions; use and clean kitchen equipment properly.
- Serve meals in compliance with school food regulations and health department sanitation standards, including taking and recording food temperatures as required.
- Follow menus, recipes, portion requirements, food-preparation instructions, and verbal directions; prepare food by washing, cleaning, peeling, cutting, and chopping fruits, vegetables, and meat.
- Assist with unloading and properly storing delivered food items.
- Learn and operate the Point of Sale system and reconcile daily monies for accuracy.
- Build positive relationships with Nutrition Services staff, school staff, students, parents, and the surrounding community, 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; may lead training for other kitchen staff; complete required annual USDA Professional Standards training hours and pursue regulatory updates and sustainable solutions.
- Travel to multiple schools when requested and maintain schedule flexibility to meet kitchen site needs.
- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health savings account (HSA)
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- District-paid and voluntary supplemental life insurance
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Voluntary critical illness and accident insurance
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Voluntary 401(k), 403(b), and 457 retirement plan options
- Paid sick time
- Paid personal time
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
