Cook Helper (3.25 hours per day; approx. 10:30am-1:45pm)

Isd 728; Elk River (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

ISD 728 in Elk River, MN is seeking a Cook Helper to assist in preparing and serving nutritious school lunches in partnership with the Head Cook. This role supports daily kitchen operations and ensures meals meet safety and sanitation standards.

The position includes tasks from serving lunches and cashiering to food prep and cleaning, with opportunities to contribute to meal planning, inventory, and special catering as needed.

Qualifications

• High school degree, GED, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of proper cooking, serving, sanitation, and kitchen equipment care.
• Ability to work with others.
• Ability to maintain good relations with students, staff and parents.
• General math/cashier skills to cashier or measure food.
• Regularly able to lift heavy objects over 50 pounds.
• No allergies to kitchen/cleaning chemicals.
• May work caterings and extra hours if necessary.
• Training and/or use of computer equipment required.

Responsibilities

• Serve student lunches according to nutrition standards and/or act as cashier as needed.
• Assist Head Cook with panning hot food and opening cans for timely prep.
• Assist in final preparation of foods for serving.
• Clean counters, dishes, stoves and kitchen equipment for next day.
• Wash trays, dishes, pans and utensils.
• Transmit daily data to the Manager of Food Service.
• Maintain cash banks and cashier logs.
• Record daily deposits and sales data for Head Cook.
• Send meal counts and enrollment information to Manager and free/reduced clerk.
• Notify students or parents about low balances when needed.
• Assist with grocery delivery/stocking.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Public relations

Team player

Cashier skills

Math skills

Education

High school degree / GED

Tools

Computer use

Job description

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 Statement

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.