Cook Escalante

Durango School District 9-R; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 14,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Durango School District is seeking a Cook at Escalante Middle School. The position is five hours per day, five days a week during the 9-month school year, and includes full-time benefits. Begins August 17, 2026.

Under the supervision of the Cafeteria Manager, you will prepare and serve meals, stock the serving line, handle cashiering, and assist with inventory and ordering. Prior kitchen experience preferred; high school diploma required; First Aid/CPR preferred; background check required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in kitchen prep or cooking preferred.
• First Aid/CPR training preferred; background check required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Cafeteria Manager with preparing and serving food for the lunch program.
• Stock and set up serving lines and equipment; cashiering duties.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and safety; assist with inventory and orders.

Skills

Basic math

Cashiering

Communication

Food safety

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

POS system

Job description

Durango School District is accepting applications for a Cook at Escalante Middle School. Position is four (5) hours per day and includes full time benefits. Experience preferred. Begins August 17, 2026.

** **

• Job Title:** Cook **Pay Grade: **ESP Salary Schedule
• Job Family:** Food Services **FLSA Status: **Non-exempt
• Department: **Student Nutrition **Prepared/Revised Date:** July 1, 2015, rev. 7/1/18, 7/1/20; 7/1/24
• Typical Work Year:** 9 months
• SUMMARY:** Assist the Cafeteria Manager with maintaining a successful food service program by preparing and serving food, maintaining kitchen, washing dishes and trays, receiving payment for meals, and assisting with food ordering and inventory.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The frequency and percentage of time of duties may vary based on building or department assignment.

• Under the supervision of the Cafeteria Manager, assist in preparing food for the National School Lunch Program through the preparation and serving of food on the lunch line using safe food handling procedures.
• Stock and set up the serving line and all necessary equipment needed to serve meals.
• Sanitize all dishes, equipment, floors, tables, sink, etc. following all completion of daily school lunch/breakfast program service. Wash tables in the commons area following each meal to ensure sanitary eating areas.
• Remove all trash and waste from the kitchen.
• Cross train in all positions, including manager position.
• Operates the POS lunch system and serve as the cashier.
• Assist with ordering, storing, and inventorying food and supplies.
• Assist with opening and closing kitchen preparations including cleaning, storage and stocking of inventory.
• Engage in ongoing professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: High school diploma or equivalent. Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions of the position.

EXPERIENCE:** **Kitchen prep or cooking, food service experience preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: None required. First Aide/CPR/AED training preferred. Criminal Background Check required for hire.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:** **

• Basic mathematical and measuring skills for following recipes and giving change to students.
• Cashiering skills preferred.
• Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, Superintendent policies and building/department procedures.
• Ability to grow and develop knowledge, skills, and attitude through professional development.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with co-workers to maintain a positive and professional work climate
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.

Materials And Equipment Operating Knowledge

• Knowledge of large volume food production, serving and sanitizing equipment, preferred.
• Knowledge of basic kitchen utensils including knives, slicers, thermometers and cleaning agents.
• Normal office equipment such as personal computer, printer, copier, fax, phone system, e-mail.

Durango School District is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital stat s, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact Laura Galido, Compliance Officer, Durango School District, 281 Sawyer Drive, Suite 100 Durango, CO 81303, [phone], [e-mail], or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Spear Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, [phone].