Kitchen Assistant Part Time [Starts $18/hr]

Omaha Public Schools•Omaha, NE

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kitchen Assistant supports meal preparation and service for students and staff at Pine Elementary. The role includes preparing, serving, and storing food; cleaning and sanitizing kitchen areas and equipment; rotating food stock and supplies; and providing responsive, courteous customer service. The assistant follows cafeteria menu protocols and food-safety requirements, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) procedures, and may train across kitchen stations to provide coverage as needed. This is a classified, part-time, non-exempt position scheduled for 3.5 hours per day, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., during the school year from August through May when students are in session. Local travel may be required, including travel to other schools when requested. The position works in school buildings and may also involve office and warehouse settings. It reports to the Executive Director, Nutrition Services; day-to-day tasks are completed under the direct supervision of the department supervisor. The role involves operating commercial food-service equipment safely, interacting with a diverse student and customer population, and performing physical tasks such as lifting and moving food cases. Applicants must successfully complete Douglas County Food Handlers Certification with a score of at least 80% before attending kitchen training, complete Kitchen Assistant Training, and maintain current food-handler certification. Employment is contingent on required verification and screening, including an acceptable background check and work-authorization verification, and other listed checks or examinations if required for the position.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including calculations using money, weights, volume, and distance; add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; and count money.
Skill in safe food handling and practical working knowledge of food-safety practices and procedures.
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.
Organizational skills and 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 respond rapidly in emergencies and demonstrate time-management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to safely operate food-service equipment.
Successful completion of Douglas County Food Handlers Certification with a score of at least 80% before attending kitchen training; successful completion of Kitchen Assistant Training; and maintenance of current Douglas County Food Handler’s Certification.
Ability to lift, move, and reposition objects and materials, frequently exerting force equal to 50 pounds.
Willingness to travel to other schools when requested.
Meet employment contingencies, including required license or certificate verification, an acceptable background check, and verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work; complete a drug test, tuberculosis test, or medical examination if required for the position.

Nice To Haves

Previous food-service experience preferred.
Skill in customer relations and service recovery.

Responsibilities

Assist with food preparation, service, and storage.
Assist with cleaning and sanitizing 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.
Support service excellence initiatives and provide appealing food and excellent customer service.
Train in kitchen stations to cross-cover as needed.
Monitor portion control, proper pricing, and safe storage of food and supplies.
Assist with required reports.
Recognize a reimbursable meal and work with a diverse student population as a positive role model.
Follow food-safety, cleaning, and sanitation procedures, including HACCP procedures, and practice good hygiene.
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.