Cook Helper

Elk River Area School District; Elk River (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Elk River Area School District in Elk River, MN is seeking a Cook Helper at Elk River High School to assist in preparing and serving nutritious lunches, maintain a clean, safe kitchen, and support daily meal service. The role includes assisting the Head Cook, handling cash and deposits, and communicating meal counts and enrollment info.

Starting wage is $20.23 per hour for a 4-hour shift (approximately 9:15 am–1:15 pm).

Qualifications

• High school degree, GED, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of proper method of cooking food, serving food, care and use of kitchen appliances, and proper sanitation.
• Ability to work with others.
• Ability to maintain good public relations with students, staff and parents.
• General math/cashier skills in order to cashier or measure food.
• Regularly able to lift heavy objects in excess of fifty (50) pounds.
• No allergies to kitchen/cleaning chemicals.
• May be asked to work caterings and extra hours if necessary.
• Training and/or use of computer equipment is required.

Responsibilities

• Serves student lunches according to standards established for proportion and nutrition and/or acts as cashier so that students are served in a timely manner.
• Assists the Head Cook in panning hot food and opens cans of food so that food is available when needed and properly prepared.
• Assists in the final preparation of foods for serving so that food is available when needed and properly prepared.
• Cleans counters, dishes, stoves equipment, and other kitchen and lunchroom equipment and areas so that lunchroom and kitchen are ready for the next day.
• Washes trays, dishes, cooking pans, and utensils so that equipment is ready for the next day.
• Transmits daily data to the Manager of Food Service.
• Maintains cash banks and cashier logs.
• Grants daily deposit and gives daily sales data to Head Cook.
• Sends information to the Manager of Food Service and free/reduced clerk regarding meal counts, enrollment information, etc.
• May give account balance notification to students and may contact parents/guardians for low balance notification.
• May assist in grocery delivery/stocking.
• Other job related duties as assigned.

Skills

Teamwork

Public relations

Cashier math

Heavy lifting

Allergies to chemicals

Catering hours

Computer training

Cooking sanitation

Education

High school degree, GED, or equivalent

Job description

Cook Helper (4 hours per day; Approximately 9:15 am-1:15pm;) Starting 10/30/26 JobID: 19422

• Position Type:
  Food Service/ Cook Helper
• Date Posted:
  10/21/2026
• Location:
  Elk River High School
• Date Available:
  ASAP
• Closing Date:
  11/01/2026

Starting Wage: $20.23/hour
Description: The Cook Helper prepares and serves nutritious school lunches in cooperation with other Cooks and is responsible for maintaining a safe and sanitary kitchen area.
Job Summary:
1. Serves student lunches according to standards established for proportion and nutrition and/or acts as cashier so that students are served in a timely manner.
2. Assists the Head Cook in panning hot food and opens cans of food so that food is available when needed and properly prepared.
3. Assists in the final preparation of foods for serving so that food is available when needed and properly prepared.
4. Cleans counters, dishes, stoves equipment, and other kitchen and lunchroom equipment and areas so that lunchroom and kitchen are ready for the next day.
5. Washes trays, dishes, cooking pans, and utensils so that equipment is ready for the next day.
6. Transmits daily data to the Manager of Food Service.
7. Maintains cash banks and cashier logs.
8. Grants daily deposit and gives daily sales data to Head Cook.
9. Sends information to the Manager of Food Service and free/reduced clerk regarding meal counts, enrollment information, etc.
10. May give account balance notification to students and may contact parents/guardians for low balance notification.
11. May assist in grocery delivery/stocking.
12. Other job related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
1. High school degree, GED, or equivalent experience.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of proper method of cooking food, serving food, care and use of kitchen appliances, and proper sanitation.
3. Ability to work with others.
4. Ability to maintain good public relations with students, staff and parents.
5. General math/cashier skills in order to cashier or measure food.
6. Regularly able to lift heavy objects in excess of fifty (50) pounds.
7. No allergies to kitchen/cleaning chemicals.
8. May be asked to work caterings and extra hours if necessary.
9. Training and/or use of computer equipment is required.

Equity is one of ISD728's core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first to ensure college and career readiness. A diverse workforce fuels innovation and allows us to better understand, communicate with, and educate our students. ISD728 will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability, or status with regard to public assistance.