District Wide - Cook Helper

Applitrack; Elk River (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

ISD728 is seeking a part-time Cook Helper (4.5 hrs/day, approx 9am-1:30pm) to prepare and serve nutritious school lunches. Responsibilities include assisting in food prep, cashiering, maintaining sanitation, and communicating meal data to management.

Starting wage is $20.23 per hour. The role requires teamwork, basic cashier skills, and ability to lift heavy objects; district-wide duties may apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of proper method of cooking, serving, sanitation and kitchen safety.
• Ability to work well with others and maintain public relations with students, staff and parents.
• Basic math and cashier skills to cashier or measure food.
• Regularly able to lift objects over 50 pounds.
• No allergies to kitchen/cleaning chemicals.
• May work catering and/or extra hours as needed.
• Training and/or use of computer equipment required.

Responsibilities

• Serve student lunches according to nutrition standards and timers; may act as cashier.
• Assist Head Cook with hot food preparation and opening cans as needed.
• Assist in final preparation of foods for serving.
• Clean workstations, utensils, stoves and kitchen areas for the next day.
• Wash trays, dishes, pans, and utensils for turnover.
• Transmit daily data to the Manager of Food Service.
• Maintain cash banks and cashier logs.
• Deposit daily sales and share data with Head Cook.
• Send meal counts and enrollment information to managers and clerk.
• Notify students/parents about low balances when applicable.
• Assist with grocery delivery/stocking as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Teamwork

Food service

Cashier skills

Public relations

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Point-of-sale

Job description

District Wide - Cook Helper (4.5 hrs/day - approx 9am-1:30pm) JobID: 19283

• Position Type: Food Service/ Cook Helper
• Date Posted: 9/3/2026
• Location: District Wide
• Date Available: ASAP

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.