Food Service Assistant

POSITION: Food Service Assistant

REPORTS TO: Food Service Coordinator or Designee 

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Part-Time, 186 Days,  10:00am - 1:00pm, FLSA Non-Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Previous experience in food service, hospitality, or customer service preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Ability to operate kitchen equipment and cash registers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and collaborate with a diverse team.
• Willingness to adhere to school policies and procedures, including dress code and behavior standards.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including early mornings and occasional evenings for special events or meetings.
• Ability to follow directions, maintain confidentiality, and uphold professional standards.
• Valid Ohio Driver's License
• Must pass criminal background check

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Food service staff members play a vital role in providing nutritious meals to students and maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming cafeteria environment. They assist in food preparation, serving, cashiering, and cleaning tasks to ensure efficient operation of the school food service program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in preparing and cooking food items according to standardized recipes and portion sizes, following food safety and sanitation guidelines to maintain quality and hygiene standards.
• Set up serving lines, portion food items, serve meals to students and staff, and ensure timely and orderly meal service, adhering to meal schedules and serving procedures established by the school.
• Operate cash registers or point-of-sale systems, process meal transactions, handle cash and electronic payments, and reconcile cash drawers at the end of each shift, maintaining accuracy and accountability.
• Provide friendly, courteous, and efficient service to students, staff, and visitors, answering questions, addressing concerns, and resolving issues in a professional manner to promote a positive dining experience.
• Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils, serving areas, and dining tables before, during, and after meal service, following cleaning protocols and safety procedures to prevent contamination and ensure a clean and hygienic environment.
• Follow established food safety protocols, including temperature monitoring, food storage, handling procedures, and sanitation practices, to prevent foodborne illness and ensure compliance with health regulations.
• Assist in receiving, stocking, and rotating food supplies, ingredients, and utensils, maintaining accurate inventory records, and notifying supervisors of low stock or equipment maintenance needs as necessary.
• Collaborate with other cafeteria/food service staff members, kitchen supervisors, and school administrators to coordinate tasks, resolve issues, and ensure smooth operation of the cafeteria during meal periods and special events.
• Assist in documenting meal counts, sales data, and other required records for reporting purposes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of reporting to meet federal and state regulatory requirements.
• Follow safety protocols, emergency procedures, and evacuation plans in the event of emergencies or incidents, ensuring the safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors at all times.
• Promotes and maintains a safe environment as defined by district policy and procedures.
• Maintains an acceptable attendance record and is punctual.
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Superintendent, his/her designee, or the employees' principal/supervisor or his/her designee.

OTHER DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS:

• Serves as a role model for students in how to conduct themselves as citizens and as responsible, intelligent human beings.
• Conducts and presents the position in a professional manner.
• Maintains a positive work attitude.
• Effectively uses verbal, nonverbal, writing, and listening skills.
• Is punctual and thorough in implementation of all assigned duties.  

KNOWLEDGE OF: Board policies and procedures, building policies and procedures, student code of conduct, community resource agencies, emergency preparedness drills, public relations, federal and state reporting, and records management.

ABILITY TO: Interpret policies, procedures and regulations, follow instructions, communicate effectively, prepare, maintain, and file accurate and concise reports, collect data, recognize individual differences, lift a moderate amount of weight, develop a rapport with students, staff, co-workers, administration and the public.

ADDITIONAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:

OCCASIONAL: Exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue, lifting (10-20 pounds) of supplies and materials.   Duties may require exposure to adverse weather conditions and seasonal temperature extremes. Exposure to the following situations may range from remote to frequent based on circumstances and factors that may not be predictable. Potential for exposure to blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases. Potential for interaction with disruptive and/or unruly individuals.

PERIODIC: Exposure to loud noise, extreme temperatures from program environment, irritating and hazardous chemicals, fumes, and unruly children and adults. Duties may require operating and/or riding in a vehicle. Duties may require traveling to meetings and work assignments. 

FREQUENT: Prolonged periods of standing and lifting (10-20 pounds) of supplies and materials. Bending, stooping and reaching for items. Follow all Board safety rules and procedures.  Participate in the school safety training when requested. Exposure to heat, steam, and kitchen hazards.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned. 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary as per salary schedule in effect as adopted by the Board of Education. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance use in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.