Child Nutrition Cook - Mesa High School

Mesa Public Schools; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Holidays

Retirement matched through ASRS

Health insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Mesa Public Schools is seeking a Child Nutrition Cook at Mesa High School in Mesa, AZ. The role focuses on preplanning daily meals, preparing quantity food products, and ensuring quality and compliance with safety standards.

employment is full-time with benefits including sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through ASRS, health and life insurance. New hire experience/education incentives apply. Drug testing may be required during probation.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent.
• Maricopa County Food Service Worker card.
• Valid Arizona driver’s license with proof of insurance.
• One year experience in quantity food production; some school food service experience.

Responsibilities

• Preplan work and prepare products daily according to menus.
• Taste, smell and observe final product for quality and appearance.
• Maintain efficient operation of cook’s area and clean equipment.
• Delegate appropriate work assignments to kitchen staff.
• Perform related duties to ensure efficient operation of the unit.
• Regular and on-time attendance required.
• Train and direct cafeteria employees.
• Test new recipes and products.
• Participate in workshops, seminars and in-services.
• Assist with other assigned duties as appropriate to Mesa Public Schools.

Skills

Food safety

Communication

Food prep

Team supervision

Recipe conversions

Education

High school education or equivalent

Job description

Child Nutrition Cook - Mesa High School

Mesa USD 4 Food and Nutrition - Mesa, Arizona Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Mesa USD 4

Job Details

Job ID: 5931204
Application Deadline: Sep 24, 2026 11:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time)
Re-Posted: Sep 18, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

1630 E Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85204

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type:

Full-time (40 hours per week)

Base Hourly:

$19.89

Class/Calendar:

B21, 9.25 months

Benefits:

Sick leave, holidays,retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten -year maximum

New Hire Education:

1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary:

To preplan work and prepare quantity food products needed daily according to menus

Prior to employment or during the first 3 months of new hire probationary period, drug and alcohol testing shall be required of all new contract employees who work for Food & Nutrition in a safety sensitive position. Any applicants having a confirmed positive test shall not be eligible for employment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preplan work and prepare products needed daily according to menus
• Taste, smell and observe final product for quality and appearance
• Maintain economic operation of cook’s area, use and cleaning of equipment (i.e. slicers, mixers, oven, steamers, etc)
• Delegate appropriate work assignments to kitchen employees
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit
• Regular and on-time attendance required
• Train and direct cafeteria employees
• Test new recipes and products
• Participate in workshops, seminars and in-services
• Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

• High school education or equivalent
• Must have Maricopa County Food Service Worker card
• Valid Arizona driver’s license with proof of insurance and reliable transportation
• One year experience in quantity food production; some school food service experience

Skills & Competencies:

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations
• Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) and to oversee other adults and student employees
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and to perform frequent reaching, stooping and lifting of up to forty pounds
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to take direction from kitchen manager
• Ability to calculate recipe conversions

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Fast-paced, high-energy, and often warm due to cooking equipment
• Early morning shifts – typically starting before school or daycare hours to prepare breakfast and lunch
• Works closely with other kitchen staff, nutritionists, and facility personnel
• Extended periods on foot while preparing and serving meals
• Working in hot and cold environments – moving between ovens, stoves, freezers, and refrigerators
• Lifting and carrying – ability to lift 25-50 lbs (e.g., large food containers, bulk supplies)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.

Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $19.89 Per Hour
Job Categories:

Support Staff > Food Service

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Cherish Dearman , HR Assistant
• Email: [e-mail]