Kitchen Program Assistant

Carey Baptist Grammar School; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Carey Baptist Grammar School seeks a Kitchen Program Assistant to support a vibrant, hands-on kitchen garden program for Year 3–4 students. You will help the Kitchen Garden Coordinator deliver cooking activities, maintain a clean, safe learning space, and brief visiting volunteers.

The role requires strong cooking skills, organisational ability, and excellent communication with staff, students and parents. A 0.4FTE, term-time position on a 12-month contract at our Kew campus.

Qualifications

• Experience as an accomplished cook (highly skilled home cooks welcome).
• Proven organisational skills with strong accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated exemplary rapport and relationships with children.
• Proven ability to work as a team member.
• Proven ability to maintain the confidence and respect of staff, students and parents.
• Ability to meet energetic and physical demands including standing for long periods, lifting and carrying.
• Ability to work calmly and effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• First Aid, CPR & Anaphylaxis certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• Food Handling Certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• A valid Employee Working with Children Check is a requirement of employment.

Responsibilities

• Plan with the Kitchen Garden Coordinator and Gardening Coordinator to maintain an exemplary cooking program for the Year 3 and 4 students.
• Set up the kitchen prior to lessons.
• Supervise student clean-up of kitchen and classroom.
• Maintain general cleanliness, (non-industrial) equipment and materials.
• Purchase ingredients as needed.
• Brief adult helpers before cooking sessions

Skills

Cooking skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team player

Stamina

Tools

First Aid/CPR

Food Handling Certificate

Job description

The Kitchen Program Assistant plays a key role in supporting the Kitchen Garden Coordinator to deliver a vibrant, hands-on program that inspires a sense of wonder and curiosity in students about food, its origin and the history behind recipes.

The program works with students in Years 3 & 4 and is based around the journey of growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing food. The successful candidate will bring a genuine interest in food, cooking and sustainability, along with the ability to build positive relationships with students to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

This role assists with the preparation of each session, ensuring the kitchen is maintained as a clean, safe and well-organised learning area. There are times when the Kitchen Program Assistant will support and brief visiting volunteers and occasionally purchase ingredients.

This role is a 12-month contract for 2027 and based at the Kew campus. This position is part time (0.4FTE) and only required during term-time.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Plan with the Kitchen Garden Coordinator and Gardening Coordinator to maintain an exemplary cooking program for the Year 3 and 4 students
• Set up the kitchen prior to lessons
• Supervise student clean-up of kitchen and classroom
• Maintain general cleanliness, (non-industrial) equipment and materials
• Purchase ingredients as needed
• Brief adult helpers before cooking sessions

The Person

• Experience as an accomplished cook (highly skilled home cooks are welcomed)
• Proven organisational skills with strong accuracy and attention to detail
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated exemplary rapport and relationships with children
• Proven ability to work as a team member
• Proven ability to maintain the confidence and respect of staff, students and parents
• Ability to meet the energetic and physical demands of the role, including standing for long periods, lifting and carrying
• Ability to work calmly and effectively in a fast-paced environment
• First Aid, CPR & Anaphylaxis certificate (or willing to obtain)
• Food Handling Certificate (or willing to obtain)

A valid Employee Working with Children Check is a requirement of employment for this position.

The School

At Carey, our staff are integral members of our vibrant community, embodying a deep commitment to learning and an innate ability to ignite the same passions within our students.

Grounded in the core values of Care, Growth, and Respect, our staff play a pivotal role in nurturing a culture where every individual is valued, supported, and inspired to thrive.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands and waters surrounding us and pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.