Cook, Patrick Marsh MS

Sunprairie; Town of Sun Prairie (WI); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Benefit eligible

Job summary

Sun Prairie Area School District is seeking a full-time school nutrition worker to prepare and serve healthy meals for students, ensuring nutritional guidelines and safety standards are met.

You will operate kitchen equipment, monitor inventory, and assist with ordering and recordkeeping to support USDA compliance. The role includes cross-training and potential backup in the nutrition program.

Qualifications

• High school graduate with 5–11 months food service experience or equivalent.
• ServSafe certification is required or desired.
• Experience in schools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepares dietary menu items including gluten free, low carb, and allergy-sensitive options.
• Monitors inventory and performs pre-prep and defrosting.
• Assists in ordering, receiving and recordkeeping to meet USDA requirements.
• Cleans and sanitizes food preparation areas and equipment.
• Serves meals and maintains food storage and temperatures per guidelines.

Skills

Food service experience

Kitchen equipment operation

Strong organizational skills

Communication with staff

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

ServSafe certification

Tools

Meat slicer

Steam kettle

Steamer

Mixer

Microwave

Convection ovens

Tilt skillet

Job description

• Date Posted: 9/16/2026
• Location: Patrick Marsh Middle School
• Date Available: 10/01/2026

STARTING WAGE: $20.47+ per hour (based on experience)

This position is full time, 7.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday during the school year and comes with paid time off and is benefit eligible.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The purpose of this position is to provide students with healthy meals that meet nutritional guidelines and follows safety regulations by preparing and serving food for school meals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position.These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Prepares dietary menu items such as gluten free, low carb, diabetic, allergy sensitive.
• Monitors weekly menu options and checks inventory to make sure product is available in adequate supply, includes pre-prep and defrosting of food.
• Prepare and serve special order catering as requested including sandwiches, trays, beverages.
• Assist in ordering, receiving and recordkeeping to meet USDA requirements.
• Maintains FIFO (first in first out) and monitor date opened, date used, and use by dates.
• Maintains proper storage of food items in cooler and freezer.
• Serves breakfasts and lunches; prepares line for serving; sets up tray line service; prepares condiments; distributes foods; stocks milk and beverage coolers.
• Monitors food and equipment temperatures throughout the entire process as mandated by state and federal guidelines.
• Prepares foods for distribution to daycares and satellite schools meeting transportation deadlines, and record keeping requirements
• Restocks food and other items as required.
• Follow safety and sanitation standards. Cleans and sanitizes food preparation areas; washes dishes, trays, pots and pans, utensils, counters, tables, sinks, equipment, coolers, etc. Puts away dishes, pots, pans, utensils, etc.
• Scans student meal accounts during breakfast and lunch.
• Maintains confidentiality of student records.
• Cleans cafeteria tables, serving equipment and serving lines.
• Conducts cleaning and maintenance checks of kitchen equipment.
• Provides backup to the head cook as requested.
• Cross trained to be able to step into others school nutrition roles in their assigned building and in other sites.
• Other duties as assigned by Director of School Nutrition Program.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

High school graduate with five to eleven months food service experience, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities. Serv/Safe certification.Experience in schools is preferred.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements

• Ability to operate a variety of food preparation equipment and appliances, including meat slicer, steam kettle, steamer, mixer, microwave, convection and conventional ovens, stove top, dishwasher, coffee pot, steam table, combitherm, tilt skillet, etc.
• Ability to lift and maneuver objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must have current physical on file with the District Office certifying applicant is able to meet all job qualifications.

Mathematical Ability

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate decimals and percentages including recipe modifications and conversions.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

• Ability to comprehend, interpret and/or prepare a variety of documents, including menus, menu explanation sheets, recipes and food buying guides, sanitation regulations, catering and lunch orders, delivery receipts, equipment manuals, production sheets, meal pattern requirements, etc.
• Ability to understand USDA nutritional labeling and apply to student dietary requirements.
• Ability to prepare a variety of documents including product use lists, using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with teachers, students, parents, school nutrition personnel, administrators, custodians, delivery personnel, repair persons, and other verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use and interpret food service terminology.
• Ability to problem solve regarding production methods.
• Ability to work independently and manage time.
• Ability to work effectively in a kitchen environment.
• Exposure to temperature variants including extreme cold in freezer and heat from cooking and dish room.
• Ability to use chemicals correctly and safely.

The Sun Prairie Area School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.