Food Service Assistant - School

Food Service Assistant

Work Schedule: 6:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Department: Food Service / Nutrition Services
Reports To: Food Service Director

Position Summary

The Food Service Assistant provides essential administrative, financial, and operational support for the school nutrition program. This position plays a key role in ensuring the efficient and accurate operation of daily food service activities, including meal account management, point-of-sale operations, financial transactions, purchasing, records management, nutrition program compliance, and customer service.

The Food Service Assistant works closely with students, families, school staff, vendors, and administration and is expected to maintain a high level of professionalism, accuracy, confidentiality, and customer service. This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced school environment.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesCustomer Service and Point-of-Sale Operations

• Provide courteous, professional, and responsive customer service to students, parents/guardians, staff, and school personnel.
• Receive and process student and parent meal payments accurately and efficiently.
• Assist students and families with meal account questions, balances, and account-related concerns.
• Provide student identification numbers and other account assistance as appropriate.
• Monitor meal account balances and communicate with parents/guardians regarding negative or delinquent balances in accordance with district procedures.
• Add, update, and remove student accounts within the point-of-sale system.
• Generate, review, and maintain daily point-of-sale reports.
• Balance cash drawers and prepare cafeteria bank deposits on a daily basis.
• Process prior-day and weekend deposits and maintain accurate supporting documentation.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of checks, payments, deposits, and other financial transactions.
• Investigate and resolve routine point-of-sale discrepancies and account issues.

Administrative and Department Support

• Maintain organized and accurate department files, records, forms, and documentation.
• Ensure required forms and materials are current, properly organized, stocked, and readily available.
• Maintain employee schedules, calendars, contact information, and departmental communications.
• Assist with onboarding, orientation, and training of new cafeteria employees.
• Maintain and update job descriptions, procedures, forms, and other departmental documentation as directed.
• Track student enrollment information and maintain related records.
• Assist with school-year opening and year-end closing activities.
• Coordinate end-of-year student meal account activities, including senior refunds and account/roster cleanup.
• Provide administrative support to the Food Service Director and assist with departmental projects and special assignments.
• Serve as a resource to staff regarding routine food service procedures and administrative processes.

Nutrition Program Compliance

• Process and maintain free and reduced-price meal applications in accordance with applicable program requirements and district procedures.
• Conduct student eligibility reviews and complete direct certification searches through applicable state systems.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of student, family, and employee information.
• Maintain end-of-month state claim records and required supporting documentation.
• Prepare and distribute required verification letters, notices, and program correspondence.
• Maintain accurate nutritional and product information provided by food service vendors.
• Prepare and maintain ingredient, nutritional, and allergen labels to support student dietary needs and program requirements.
• Assist with recordkeeping and documentation necessary to support compliance with federal, state, and local nutrition program requirements.

Financial and Purchasing Support

• Receive, review, and process food service vendor invoices for accuracy and proper documentation.
• Maintain accurate invoice and payment records.
• Assist with purchase orders, purchasing activities, and routine ordering functions.
• Coordinate catering billing, invoices, payments, and related documentation.
• Maintain accurate financial records associated with food service operations.
• Assist in identifying and resolving discrepancies involving invoices, payments, purchase orders, or other financial transactions.
• Handle financial information and transactions with accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality.

Inventory and Food Service Operations

• Assist with receiving deliveries and verifying supplies and products.
• Help organize, stock, and maintain food service supplies and storage areas.
• Assist with inventory tracking and recordkeeping.
• Support staff training and departmental initiatives.
• Assist with preparation for the opening of the school year and year-end closing procedures.
• Support efficient daily cafeteria operations and help address routine operational needs.
• Assume responsibility for designated department operations in the absence of the Food Service Director, as assigned.

Communication and Collaboration

• Communicate effectively and professionally with students, parents/guardians, staff, administrators, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Respond to questions and concerns promptly and appropriately, referring complex issues to the Food Service Director when necessary.
• Maintain positive working relationships and contribute to a collaborative department environment.
• Protect confidential information and exercise discretion when handling student, family, employee, and financial records.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Basic to intermediate computer and data-entry skills.
• Ability to accurately process payments, maintain records, and perform routine financial transactions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive student, family, employee, and financial information.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also functioning effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, sound judgment, and commitment to accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in school nutrition, food service, school administration, clerical support, bookkeeping, accounting, or cash handling.
• Experience working with point-of-sale or student meal account systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity software.
• Knowledge of school nutrition programs and free and reduced-price meal eligibility procedures.
• Experience processing invoices, purchase orders, deposits, or other financial records.
• Experience working in a school, public-sector, or customer-service environment.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods as needed.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and perform routine office and food service tasks.
• Ability to lift and carry supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to assist with receiving, moving, and stocking supplies.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks involving computer, keyboard, cash register, and point-of-sale equipment.
• Ability to work effectively in an active and occasionally fast-paced environment.

Work Environment

• Primarily based in a school cafeteria and food service office environment.
• Frequent interaction with students, parents/guardians, staff, administrators, and vendors.
• Work may involve frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Position requires the ability to maintain accuracy, professionalism, and confidentiality in a fast-paced environment.
• May occasionally require additional duties or schedule adjustments related to special events, school-year opening/closing activities, or departmental needs.

Key Competencies

• Customer Service and Professionalism
• Cash Handling and Financial Accuracy
• Organization and Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• Confidentiality and Discretion
• Written and Verbal Communication
• Administrative and Recordkeeping Skills
• Problem Solving and Sound Judgment
• Computer and Data Entry Skills
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Nutrition Program Compliance
• Food Service Operations
• Ability to Prioritize and Multitask
• Reliability and Accountability

Position Responsibilities

This position requires a high degree of accuracy, organization, confidentiality, and accountability. The Food Service Assistant serves as an important administrative and operational resource within the Food Service Department and contributes directly to the effective delivery of the district's student nutrition program.

The duties listed above are representative of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support the needs of the Food Service Department and school district.

Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 30.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Administrative: 3 years (Preferred)
• Microsoft Excel: 2 years (Required)
• Inventory management: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22 - $24