District Wide - Cook Helper

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 recruiting a temporary Cook Helper to assist in preparing and serving nutritious school lunches in collaboration with the Head Cook. This part-time role runs roughly 9:00 am to 1:30 pm, 4.5 hours daily, with an expected term from late September to mid-December 2026.

Responsibilities include serving meals, assisting with food preparation and cleaning, handling cash deposits, and communicating daily sales and enrollment data to the Food Service Manager.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Public relations

Cashier skills

Teamwork

Basic math

Heavy lifting

Sanitation knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

District Wide - Cook Helper (TEMPORARY 4.5 hrs/day - approx 9am-1:30pm Approx 09/25/26 through 12/17/26) JobID: 19307

• Position Type: Food Service/ Cook Helper
• Date Posted: 9/11/2026
• Location: District Wide
• Date Available: 09/25/2026
• Closing Date: 09/17/2026

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.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.