School Cafeteria & Dining Assistant

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Fintona; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a Catering Assistant to participate in the daily operation of the school catering unit under the direction of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor.

You will assist with basic food preparation, serving meals to pupils, maintaining hygiene, and ensuring welcoming dining experiences while adhering to food safety and school policies. The role focuses on teamwork and delivering reliable service to children and staff.

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake job related training
• Effective communication, teamwork and ability to follow instruction
• Strong interpersonal and organisational skills, able to work under pressure
• Motivation to provide good food and customer service for children and young people
• Desirable: Experience in customer service or catering role

Responsibilities

• Basic preparation of food and beverages, including vegetables and snacks
• Simple cooking, including reconstitution of prepared food
• Organising and controlling food service points
• Transferring and serving meals and snacks including transported meals
• Assisting with promotion of meals to pupils, parents and principal
• Maintaining contact with central kitchen regarding service delivery
• Preparing the dining area: setting tables, chairs, and serving points
• Completing general kitchen and dining room duties including washing up and clearing away equipment
• Cleaning the kitchen/servery, dining room and equipment including floors and walls
• Recording temperatures for control purposes
• Securing premises as required
• Completing duties as delegated in connection with service provision
• Carrying out duties to comply with statutory requirements and codes of practice
• Carrying out duties for jobs up to and including those in the same grade within competence
• Promoting and adhering to the Values/ethos of the School
• Note: Performing duties for dual use spaces as required
• Following guidance and undertaking administration as needed
• Promoting equal opportunities and good relations in line with policy

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Organisational skills

Planning

Working under pressure

Customer service

Job description

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a Catering Assistant to participate in the daily operation of the school catering unit under the direction of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor.

You will assist with basic food preparation, serving meals to pupils, maintaining hygiene, and ensuring welcoming dining experiences while adhering to food safety and school policies. The role focuses on teamwork and delivering reliable service to children and staff.