Kitchen Assistant Part Time [Starts $18/hr]

Omaha Public Schools•Omaha, NE

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kitchen Assistant supports the preparation, serving, and storage of quality meals for students and staff. Duties include cleaning and sanitizing kitchen equipment and work areas, rotating food stock and supplies, and providing responsive customer service. The role works across kitchen stations as needed, follows cafeteria menu protocols and food-safety procedures, and helps monitor portion control, pricing, and safe storage. The position is part-time, classified, and non-exempt, with 5.5 scheduled hours per day, generally from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., during the school year from August through May when students are in session. Local travel to other schools may be required. The position reports to the Executive Director, Nutrition Services; day-to-day tasks are completed under the direct supervision of the department supervisor. The role involves working in school buildings, kitchen areas, office environments, and warehouse settings, and interacting with district personnel, students, staff, parents, customers, and vendors. Physical duties include handling food cases and supplies, moving carts, standing and walking in kitchen areas, using kitchen equipment, and reaching, stooping, or crouching as tasks require. The position requires safe equipment operation, good hygiene, tactful interactions with a diverse community, and the ability to respond rapidly in emergencies. A Douglas County Food Handlers Certification with a score of at least 80% must be completed before attending kitchen training, and the certification must be maintained. Successful completion of Kitchen Assistant Training is also required. Employment is contingent on applicable verification and screening requirements, including a background check and verification of authorization to work in the United States.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic using American money, weights, volume, and distance; proficiency with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, whole numbers, common fractions, decimals, and counting money.
Safe food-handling skills and practical working knowledge of food-safety practices and procedures.
Customer-relations and service-recovery skills.
Excellent attendance and work record.
Ability to interact sensitively and effectively with students, coworkers, teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and community members from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Strong organizational, time-management, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to handle multiple projects with attention to detail.
Ability to read and communicate in English and to receive and process verbal information and respond to nonverbal cues.
Ability to recognize a reimbursable meal.
Ability to operate food-service equipment safely and follow equipment-use guidelines.
Ability to lift, move, and reposition objects and materials, frequently exerting force equal to 50 pounds.
Ability to respond rapidly in emergencies.
Successful completion of Douglas County Food Handlers Certification with a score of 80% or above before attending kitchen training; ability to maintain current certification.
Successful completion of Kitchen Assistant Training.
Willingness to travel to other schools when requested.
Must meet applicable employment contingencies, including background-check requirements and verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Previous food-service experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with preparing, serving, and storing food.
Clean and sanitize large and small equipment, serving utensils, and kitchen areas.
Complete daily tasks promptly and follow approved cafeteria menu preparation and service protocols within the approved timeline.
Train in all kitchen stations and cross-cover as needed.
Provide appealing food and excellent, responsive customer service; support service excellence initiatives.
Monitor portion control, proper pricing, and safe storage of food and supplies.
Assist with required reports.
Recognize reimbursable meals and serve as a positive role model.
Follow required food-safety, cleaning, sanitation, hygiene, and HACCP procedures.
Operate food-service equipment safely and assist with the dish machine as needed.
Rotate food stock and supplies.
Travel locally, including to other schools when requested.
Perform other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor or designated central-office administrators.