Cook Helper (6.75 hours per day; Approximately 6:00 am-1:15pm;)

Elk River Independent School District 728; Elk River (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Elk River Independent School District 728 is seeking a part-time Cook Helper at Elk River High School. The position covers roughly 6.75 hours per day (approximately 6:00 am–1:15 pm) and involves assisting in preparing and serving nutritious school lunches and maintaining a safe, sanitary kitchen.

The incumbent will assist in panning hot foods, food prep, and cashiering as needed, with emphasis on teamwork, accuracy, and adherence to district standards. Starting wage is $20.23 per hour.

Qualifications

• High school degree, GED, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of proper cooking, serving, sanitation and kitchen equipment.
• Ability to work with others and maintain good relations with students, staff and parents.
• General math/cashier skills for cashiering and measuring food.
• Able to lift heavy objects (>50 lbs).
• No allergies to kitchen/cleaning chemicals.
• May be assigned to caterings and extra hours.
• Computer use experience may be required.

Responsibilities

• Serve student lunches according to standards and may act as cashier to ensure timely service.
• Assist Head Cook with pan handling and opening cans for timely food preparation.
• Assist in final food prep ensuring availability when needed.
• Clean counters, dishes, stove equipment, and lunchroom areas.
• Wash trays, dishes, pans and utensils for the next day.
• Transmit daily data to Manager of Food Service and maintain cashier logs.
• Manage daily deposits and share sales data with Head Cook.
• Communicate meal counts and enrollment to Manager of Food Service and free/reduced clerk.
• May notify students of balances and contact parents for low balances.

Skills

High school diploma or GED

Teamwork

Public relations with students/staff/​

Cashiering

Food safety knowledge

Ability to lift 50+ lbs

Computer use basic

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Cash handling

Job description

Cook Helper (6.75 hours per day; Approximately 6:00 am-1:15pm;) JobID: 19320

• Position Type: Food Service/ Cook Helper
• Date Posted: 9/21/2026
• Location: Elk River High School
• Date Available: 10/30/2026
• Closing Date: 09/27/2026

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:

• 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.

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.

Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.

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.