About This Role
This kitchen assistant role supports the daily school lunch program by helping with food preparation, serving, and cleanup. It involves working closely with school staff, students, and parents to foster positive community relations.
Responsibilities
- Assist in the proper setup and cleanup of serving areas for timely service to students, including dishwashing and proper sanitation of work stations
- Follow and understand all HACCP standards
- Use all kitchen equipment properly and clean it following safety precautions
- Serve meals daily while complying with all school food regulations and health department sanitation standards
- Ensure proper cooking and serving temperatures of foods are taken and recorded as required by HACCP standards
- Independently follow menu and recipe instructions, producing and understanding regulations regarding preparation, proper food temperatures, appearance, and portion sizes
- Assist in unloading and proper storage of delivered food items
- Learn and operate Point of Sale system and reconcile monies daily to ensure accuracy
- Pursue opportunities to create positive relationships with the surrounding community, including other Nutrition Services staff, school staff, students, and parents
- Communicate effectively in both written and verbal form, including electronic mail and computers
- Maintain confidentiality of all student information
- Participate in training, including PGI Classes, and may lead training for other kitchen staff members
- Annually complete all USDA Mandatory Professional Standards training hours as required by position category
- Actively pursue upcoming regulatory changes and provide sustainable solutions
- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested
- Be willing to travel to multiple schools based on the needs of sites, if requested
- Be flexible in work schedule to meet the demands of the kitchen sites
- Assist in the preparation, service, and sale of meals, ensuring compliance with department regulations
- Prepare meals, which can include washing, cleaning, peeling, cutting, and chopping fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat items
- Follow standard recipes, proper portion sizes, and verbal instructions
Requirements
- Frequent standing, reaching, lifting (including occasional overhead lifting), bending, kneeling, stooping, squatting, climbing, pushing, twisting, and pulling items weighing 40 lbs or less
- Standing or walking 95% of the work day
- Occasional climbing and balancing using step stool
- Repetitive motions including lifting, keypad entry, chopping, filling, and sealing packaging
