Food Service Worker

Position Summary

The Food Service Worker supports the Moravia Community School District nutrition program by helping prepare, serve, and clean up nutritious, appealing meals for students and staff. This position contributes to a safe, welcoming, efficient cafeteria environment while following all federal, state, local, and district food-service requirements.

The Food Service Worker is expected to work collaboratively with kitchen staff, school personnel, students, and families; maintain high standards of sanitation and food safety; and promote a positive dining experience for all students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation, cooking, assembling, portioning, and packaging of breakfast, lunch, snacks, and other food items according to planned menus, standardized recipes, and portion-control requirements.

• Prepare serving lines, dining areas, food stations, utensils, trays, beverages, condiments, and related supplies before meal service.

• Serve meals in an efficient, courteous, student-centered manner while encouraging appropriate meal selections and maintaining required meal components.

• Ensure food is held, stored, prepared, and served at safe temperatures in accordance with food-safety procedures and applicable regulations.

• Wash, rinse, sanitize, and properly store dishes, trays, utensils, cookware, food-preparation equipment, and cafeteria equipment.

• Clean and sanitize food-preparation areas, serving lines, kitchen surfaces, storage areas, tables, and other assigned areas.

• Assist with receiving, checking, dating, labeling, rotating, and storing food and supply deliveries using proper inventory-control and food-storage practices.

• Follow established procedures for handling leftovers, food waste, recycling, composting, and disposal of refuse.

• Maintain confidentiality regarding student meal accounts, free and reduced-price meal eligibility, and other student information.

• Assist with meal counting, point-of-sale procedures, and accurate recordkeeping as assigned.

• Follow all district procedures and applicable requirements for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, USDA regulations, Iowa Department of Education requirements, and local health and sanitation standards.

• Report food shortages, equipment malfunctions, safety concerns, accidents, spills, or other concerns promptly to the Food Service Director or designee.

• Use kitchen equipment safely and appropriately, including ovens, warmers, dish machines, slicers, mixers, refrigerators, freezers, and other assigned equipment.

• Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly work environment at all times.

• Participate in required food-safety training, professional development, staff meetings, and emergency procedures.

• Maintain dependable attendance and punctuality consistent with district expectations.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Food Service Director, Superintendent, or designee.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

• Ability to read and follow menus, recipes, labels, written directions, and verbal instructions.

• Ability to perform basic math related to measurements, portions, meal counts, and inventory.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally with students, staff, families, and community members.

• Demonstrated commitment to cleanliness, food safety, confidentiality, and student well-being.

• Ability to obtain and maintain any food-handler certification, training, or other credentials required by the district or applicable law.

• Successful completion of required background checks and pre-employment requirements.

Preferred

• Previous experience in food service, school nutrition, food preparation, customer service, or a related setting.

• Knowledge of safe food-handling, sanitation, and kitchen-equipment procedures.

• Familiarity with the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program requirements.

• Experience working with children or in a school setting.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The physical demands described below are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of this position:

• Stand and walk for extended periods during food preparation, meal service, and cleanup.

• Frequently lift, carry, push, pull, and move food, supplies, trays, and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds; occasionally move heavier items with assistance or appropriate equipment.

• Bend, stoop, reach, twist, kneel, and perform repetitive hand and arm movements.

• Use hands and fingers to handle food, utensils, cleaning materials, and kitchen equipment.

• Work in environments that may include heat, cold, steam, moisture, noise, food odors, and cleaning products.

• Maintain sufficient vision, hearing, and communication abilities to safely perform assigned duties and interact with students and staff.

• Follow all required safety practices, including the use of personal protective equipment when appropriate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn safe food-handling and sanitation procedures.

• Ability to follow established recipes, menus, schedules, and district procedures.

• Ability to organize work efficiently and complete tasks within assigned timelines.

• Ability to remain calm, positive, and flexible during busy meal-service periods.

• Ability to provide friendly, respectful service to students of all ages.

• Ability to work independently while also cooperating closely with the food-service team.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment regarding food safety, student needs, and workplace safety.

• Commitment to the district’s mission of providing a safe, supportive learning environment for every student.

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated annually by the Food Service Director, Superintendent, or designee in accordance with Moravia Community School District procedures and applicable employment agreements.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Moravia Community School District is an equal opportunity employer. The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.