Kitchen Assistant (1 Vacancy)

Job Description

Primary purpose:

The Kitchen Assistant is responsible for assisting with all aspects of OAS food service including planning, purchasing, handling, preparing, and cooking food for the cafe at the Cooper Center for Active Living and special events held by the department. In the absence of the Kitchen Manager, the Kitchen Assistant assumes all responsibility for efficient kitchen operation. Provides assistance and support to ensure that food quality standards, inventory levels, and food safety guidelines are met; performs all other related or similar duties as required. This is a part-time (15 hours/week), non-benefitted, hourly position. Hours may shift depending on the needs of the Older Adult Services Department.

Supervision:

Scope and Judgment: Under the day-to-day supervision of the Food Service Manager, this position functions in collaboration with a team of volunteers. Performs varied duties requiring independent judgment and ability to work in synergy with staff and volunteers.

Supervision Received: Supervision received by Food Service Manager.

Supervision Given: Supervision given to food service volunteers.

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Assist with the preparation, portioning, and serving of meals, snacks, and beverages. Ensure food is presented attractively and served at the correct temperature. Follow recipes, portion guidelines, and special dietary instructions as needed.

Greet and serve customers in a friendly, welcoming manner. Assist customers with menu choices, special requests, and answer basic questions about food offerings.

Handle transactions at the point of sale, including cash handling and operating a register (if applicable).

Maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen, dining, and service areas. Wash dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment according to food safety standards.

Follow all health and sanitation guidelines, including proper food storage and personal hygiene practices.

Help monitor inventory levels and alert the manager when supplies need replenishing. Receive, unpack, and store food and supplies according to safety regulations.

Work cooperatively with café staff, volunteers, and community center personnel.

Assist with setting up and breaking down food service at dining or event spaces as needed.

Participate in special events, catering, or community meals hosted at the center.

Attend training sessions related to food safety, customer service, or café operations.

Maintaining documentation of the number of meals served and managing the database entry.

Assists with the coordination of special events.

Assists with maintaining café records.

Transfers the proceeds from the day to Executive Administrator.

Performing other related duties as needed to ensure efficient kitchen operation.

Will work up to 19.5 hours/week.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience:

High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) and one to two years of experience as a cook. Serve safe certification, CPR training required within 60 days of employment as well as any other certification as required by the Health Department.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge. Working knowledge of nutrition and the preparation of meals for older adults. Thorough knowledge of “serve safe” regulations. General knowledge of operating a public kitchen and preparation of meals.

Ability. Ability to interact in a positive and effective manner with fellow co-workers and the public and to work independently. Ability to operate a variety of kitchen equipment at an efficient and effective speed. Ability to assist with developing nutritious menus while keeping costs within budget. Ability to identify needs for repairs to kitchen equipment. Ability to follow written or verbal instructions. Ability to read and follow receipts, guides, cleaning schedules and logs.

Skills. Must have experience in food preparation and kitchen experience. Skill in using computer and office equipment. Good judgement and tact to maintain effective customer service relations. Time management and customer service skills.

Job Environment:

Work is performed in a traditional kitchen setting where there is exposure to potential hazards and discomforts found in a kitchen environment.

Operates various kinds of kitchen equipment, computers, calculators, copier, telephone and all other standard office equipment. May have contact with the public, other town departments and officials, outside agencies, businesses, vendors, and other governmental organizations and attorneys, etc. Communication is by means of telephone, personal discussion, and correspondence and involves discussing routine information requiring patience and courtesy. Employee has frequent contact with the general public, volunteers, older adults, vendors, and other staff members. Employee may have access to confidential information pertaining to the provision of meal services to patrons. Errors could result in delay OR loss of service, legal repercussions, financial loss, food-borne illness, lower standards of service to the community and negative public relations to the city.

Physical requirements

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Work is performed in a kitchen setting, subject to moderate noise and is exposed to hot and cold temperatures frequently found in a kitchen environment. A significant amount of time is spent standing, walking, stooping, or reaching. This position is frequently required to use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and to reach with hands and arms to lift food items. Frequently required to lift to 60 pounds. Required to operate kitchen equipment in a safe manner and in accordance with manufacturer’s operating instructions.

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newton reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.

Benefits

This is a non-benefited position