District Wide - 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 seeks a District-wide Cook Helper for a temporary, part-time role (~4.5 hours/day) from mid-late October through mid-December. The position supports lunch service, cashier duties, and needs basic math skills along with cooking and sanitation knowledge.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, ability to lift 50+ pounds, and willingness to work extra hours or caterings as needed. Training with computer equipment is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of proper cooking methods, serving, sanitation, and kitchen appliances.
• Ability to work with others and maintain good relations with students, staff, and parents.
• Basic cashiering/mathematics skills to handle cash and measure food.
• Regularly able to lift heavy objects (50+ pounds).
• No allergies to kitchen/cleaning chemicals.
• May be asked to work caterings and extra hours.
• Training and/or use of computer equipment is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve student lunches according to nutritional standards and act as cashier when needed.
• Assist Head Cook with pan operations and opening canned foods.
• Help in final food preparation to ensure readiness for serving.
• Clean counters, dishes, stoves, and kitchen equipment.
• Wash trays, dishes, pans, and utensils for next day readiness.
• Transmit daily data to the Manager of Food Service.
• Maintain cash banks and cashier logs; handle daily deposits and sales data.
• Notify Head Cook and free/reduced clerk about meal counts and enrollment info.
• Provide balance notifications to students and contact guardians when necessary.
• Assist with grocery deliveries/stocking and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Team collaboration

Cashier/money handling

Public relations

Basic math

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

District Wide - Cook Helper (TEMPORARY 4.5 hrs/day - approx 9am / 9:30am-1:30pm / 2:00pm Approx 10/30/2026 through 12/15/26) JobID: 19438

• Position Type: Food Service/ Cook Helper
• Date Posted: 10/29/2026
• Location: District Wide
• Date Available: ASAP
• Closing Date: 11/04/2026

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.