Bilingual Kitchen Assistant

Relief Nursery, Inc.; Springfield (OR); On-site; USD 27,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Sick leave accrual

Lunch break

Cell phone allowance

Professional development funds

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

Relief Nursery, Inc. is seeking a Kitchen Assistant for 12 hours per week (0.3 FTE non-exempt) in Springfield, Oregon. Hours run Tue–Thu, 9:00 am–1:00 pm, supervised by the Therapeutic Early Childhood Program Supervisor.

Starting wage range is $19.95–$21.45, depending upon qualifications. Responsibilities include food preparation, plating meals for classrooms, accommodating dietary needs, and assisting with safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations.

Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• 6 months relevant food service work or volunteer experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Evidence of emotional maturity, stability, dependability and flexibility.
• Knowledge of proper food preparation, storage techniques and sanitary procedures.
• Valid Food Handlers card or commitment to obtain prior to hire.
• Ability to read, write, and do simple mathematical calculations.
• Computer skills to include email, calendar management, Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation tasks, such as washing and chopping fruits and vegetables or assembling ingredients.
• Assist with the assembling and plating of meals for classrooms and family-style service, including assembly of food carts.
• Prepare breakfast and lunch for classrooms in absence of Food Service Coordinator.
• Accommodate special dietary needs, allergies, and cultural considerations as directed, ensuring strict allergy-safety practices.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen environment in compliance with state licensing regulations, health department standards, and organizational policies.
• Follow all required food safety procedures, including proper handwashing, temperature checks, food storage, labeling, and rotation.
• Clean and sanitize dishes, utensils, pots and pans, food preparation surfaces, appliances, and kitchen equipment.
• Properly dispose of waste and recycling and maintain pest-prevention practices.
• Receive, unpack, and store food deliveries according to safety guidelines.
• Maintain organized storage areas, refrigerators, and freezers.
• Maintain accurate records and coordinate orders to support program operations.
• Maintain current food handler’s card and complete required health and safety trainings.
• Follow all workplace safety procedures, including proper lifting and equipment use.
• Work collaboratively with kitchen and program staff as part of a team-based early childhood environment.
• Relate tactfully, confidently, sensitively and non-judgmentally with young children, their families, and other staff members.
• Assist with laundry.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support program operations.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Food service experience

Teamwork

Emotional maturity

Food safety knowledge

Math skills

Computer skills

Background check clearance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Hours per week: 12 hours/week (0.3 FTE non-exempt), Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Supervised by: Therapeutic Early Childhood Program Supervisor
Location: Springfield, OR
Starting wage range: $19.95 - $21.45, depending upon qualifications

About Relief Nursery

Relief Nursery provides comprehensive family support services that are easily accessible to families who are raising children birth through five years of age and who are experiencing high levels of stress. We provide early intervention that centers on building successful and resilient children and strengthening parents. Our staff work as a team to provide a unique array of support, from therapeutic classrooms and outreach programs, to parenting education, substance use disorder recovery support and more.

The Relief Nursery kitchen prepares nutritious snacks and meals for classrooms, family events, meetings, and special events. The Kitchen Assistant assists with meal preparation, dishes, kitchen upkeep, and clean up.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation tasks, such as washing and chopping fruits and vegetables or assembling ingredients.
• Assist with the assembling and plating of meals for classrooms and family-style service, including assembly of food carts.
• Prepare breakfast and lunch for classrooms in absence of Food Service Coordinator.
• Accommodate special dietary needs, allergies, and cultural considerations as directed, ensuring strict allergy-safety practices.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Help maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen environment in compliance with state licensing regulations, health department standards, and organizational policies.
• Follow all required food safety procedures, including proper handwashing, temperature checks, food storage, labeling, and rotation.
• Clean and sanitize dishes, utensils, pots and pans, food preparation surfaces, appliances, and kitchen equipment.
• Properly dispose of waste and recycling and maintain pest-prevention practices.

Kitchen Operations & Organization

• Assist with receiving, unpacking, and storing food deliveries according to safety guidelines.
• Help maintain organized storage areas, refrigerators, and freezers.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, complete required USDA reports, and coordinate orders to support program operations.

Health, Safety & Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain current food handler’s card and complete required health and safety trainings.
• Follow all workplace safety procedures, including proper lifting and equipment use.
• Work collaboratively with kitchen and program staff as part of a team-based early childhood environment.
• Relate tactfully, confidently, sensitively and non-judgmentally with young children, their families, and other staff members.
• Assist with laundry.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support program operations.

Required Qualifications

These are the qualifications needed to be successful in this role. We also recognize that strong candidates come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about this work and meet most of the requirements, we encourage you to apply.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• 6 months relevant food service work or volunteer experience, preferably in an early learning, family services or school setting.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Evidence of emotional maturity, stability, dependability and flexibility.
• Knowledge of proper food preparation, storage techniques and sanitary procedures.
• Valid Food Handlers card or commitment to obtain prior to hire.
• Ability to read, write, and do simple mathematical calculations.
• Computer skills to include email, calendar management, Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check through the Department of Early Learning and Care’s Central Background Registry.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications refer to job-related education or training, experience, or skills that are beneficial, but not a requirement for the position.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of computer-based recordkeeping systems, USDA Child Nutrition Program requirements, meal count reporting, and food and supply ordering procedures.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand or walk for most of the workday, reach overhead, reach at or below shoulder level, and regularly lift and move items like food boxes, pots, and carts up to 40 pounds. Use of hands and fingers for repetitive tasks like chopping, grasping utensils, and operating equipment.

Annual Benefits for Employees

Relief Nursery employees working less than 30 hours per week are eligible for the following benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program
• One hour of sick leave accrued for every 30 hours worked
• Paid 30 minute lunch break when applicable
• Modest monthly cell phone allowance if regular cell phone use is required by the position
• Opportunity for internal growth and promotion, including access to professional development funds and training opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying

Pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check through the Central Background Registry required. Position will remain open until filled.

Relief Nursery is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace