Kitchen Assistant Part Time [Starts $18/hr]

Omaha Public Schools • Omaha, NE

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Kitchen Assistant supports food service operations at Crestridge Elementary, helping prepare, serve, and store meals for students and staff. The role also includes cleaning and sanitizing kitchen equipment and work areas, rotating food and supplies, supporting customer service, and completing related daily tasks. The position is part-time, classified, and non-exempt, with 5.5 scheduled hours per day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the school year, August through May when students are in session. It reports to the Executive Director, Nutrition Services. The role may require local travel, including travel to other schools when requested.

The Kitchen Assistant works across kitchen stations as needed and follows cafeteria menu protocols, food safety and sanitation requirements, and HACCP procedures. The employee supports portion control, pricing, safe food storage, required reporting, and service excellence. The role requires interaction with students, staff, parents, vendors, and other community members, including people from diverse backgrounds. A Douglas County Food Handlers Certification with a score of 80% or above must be completed before kitchen training, and the employee must successfully complete Kitchen Assistant Training and maintain current certification.

The work may take place in school buildings, office environments, and warehouse settings. Duties involve operating commercial kitchen equipment and may require lifting and repositioning objects weighing up to 50 pounds, as well as standing, walking, reaching, balancing, and other physical activities. A uniform allowance and complimentary shift meal are offered. Pay is listed as starting at $18 per hour, paid bi-weekly.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including calculations involving money, weights, volumes, distances, whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Skill in safe food handling and practical knowledge of food safety practices and procedures.
• Ability to provide customer service and handle service recovery.
• Excellent attendance and work record.
• Ability to interact sensitively with students, coworkers, teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and community members from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with staff, students, parents, administrators, and the community.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects with attention to detail.
• Ability to read and communicate in English.
• Ability to receive and process verbal information and respond to nonverbal cues.
• Ability to operate food service equipment safely.
• Successful completion of Douglas County Food Handlers Certification with a score of 80% or above before attending kitchen training.
• Successful completion of Kitchen Assistant Training and ability to maintain current Douglas County Food Handler’s Certification.
• Ability to respond rapidly in emergencies.
• Ability to lift, move, and reposition objects and materials, frequently exerting force equal to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work scheduled hours punctually and follow assigned duties and appearance requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Previous food service experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing, serving, and storing food.
• Follow approved cafeteria menu preparation and service protocols within the approved timeline.
• Clean and sanitize large and small equipment, serving utensils, dishes, and kitchen areas; assist with the dish machine as needed.
• Rotate food stock and supplies and support safe storage of food and supplies.
• Train in all kitchen stations to provide cross-coverage as needed.
• Support service excellence by providing appealing food and responsive, professional customer service.
• Monitor portion control and proper pricing as part of the financial management process.
• Assist with completing required reports and daily tasks promptly.
• Recognize a reimbursable meal.
• Follow food safety, cleaning, sanitation, and HACCP procedures and maintain good hygiene.
• Operate food service equipment safely and comply with OPS equipment-use guidelines.
• Travel locally and to other schools when requested.
• Perform other related tasks assigned by a supervisor or designated central office administrator.

Benefits

• Annual uniform allowance.
• Complimentary shift meal.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED