Food and Nutrition Service Assistant II

Howard County Public School System; Fulton (MD); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard County Public School System in Maryland is seeking a Food and Nutrition Service Assistant II to support meal preparation and service in a school cafeteria. The role may float between elementary, middle, or high schools and involves cash handling, food safety, and daily kitchen operations.

The position requires 6 months of food service experience, a high school diploma or GED, and the ability to work in a fast-paced school environment.

Qualifications

• 6 months of experience in food service.
• High School diploma or GED.
• 1 year of experience in food service within a PreK-12 school cafeteria.

Responsibilities

• Prepares main dishes, vegetables, salad-based items, sandwiches and other foods and beverages served in the cafeteria.
• Sets up hot and cold food counters for serving and properly stocks counters and carts with food, plates, utensils, and condiments.
• Serves food and beverages to students and adults.
• Identifies and serves a reimbursable meal as defined by the USDA child nutrition program as a unit to each student.
• May function as cashier, receive money, and operate cafeteria point-of-sale register.
• Maintain an accurate account of cash collected and meals served.
• Operate kitchen equipment such as mixers, slicers, grinders, ovens, stove tops, tilt-skillets, tilt kettles, warmers, and coolers.
• Cleans utensils, equipment, and the storage, food preparation, and serving areas for sanitation.
• Assist in receiving and storage of all food, equipment, paper, and cleaning supplies and assisting with inventory.
• Stocks food, condiments and supplies to maintain adequate quantities and security of items.
• Loads carts and delivers meals to classrooms as assigned.
• Uses the correct portion control techniques to meet USDA requirements.
• Replenish and refill any diminishing quantities of menu items being served and keep condiments always filled.
• Inspects food items before served to verify compliance with mandated health requirements.

Skills

Food service

Cashiering

Food safety

Inventory control

Customer service

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

POS system

Job description

ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

Under the direction of the Food and Nutrition Service Satellite Manager or other designated individual, Food and Nutrition Service Assistant II performs various duties involved with assisting with the preparation and serving of foods to students and cleaning of kitchen equipment and facilities. A person in this position may be required to work as a floater at an elementary, middle, or high school.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: 6 months of experience in food service.
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS High School diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of experience in food service within a PreK-12 school cafeteria.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares main dishes, vegetables, salad-based items, sandwiches and other foods and beverages served in the cafeteria.
• Sets up hot and cold food counters for serving and properly stocks counters and carts with food, plates, utensils, and condiments.
• Serves food and beverages to students and adults.
• Identifies and serves a reimbursable meal as defined by the USDA child nutrition program as a unit to each student.
• May function as cashier, receive money, and operate cafeteria point-of-sale register.
• Maintain an accurate account of cash collected and meals served.
• Operate kitchen equipment such as, but not limited to, electric mixers, slicers, grinders, ovens, stove tops, tilt-skillets, tilt kettles, warmers, and coolers.
• Cleans utensils, equipment, and the storage, food preparation, and serving areas for the purpose of maintaining sanitary conditions.
• Assist in receiving and storage of all food, equipment, paper, and cleaning supplies and assisting with inventory.
• Stocks food, condiments and supplies to maintain adequate quantities and security of items.
• Loads carts and delivers meals to classrooms as assigned.
• Uses the correct portion control techniques to meet United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements.
• Replenish and refill any diminishing qualities of menu items being served and keep condiments always filled.
• Inspects food items before served to verify compliance with mandated health requirements.

EMPLOYEE SAFETY

The employee is responsible for the use of safety devices and protective equipment in order to minimize the frequency and severity of work-related accidents. The employee is responsible for using safe practices and methods in the operation and supplies related to their job. The employee is further responsible for correcting any conditions within the building or grounds that may be hazardous to employees, students, or staff assigned to the building and reporting same to the appropriate administrator.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of kitchen cleaning methods, serving techniques, and storage procedures.
• Introductory knowledge of safety and accident prevention techniques, especially as it pertains to food preparation, kitchen, and dining facilities.
• Working knowledge of sanitation regulations for food preparation.
• Ability to learn prescribed food preparation methods and school food service operations.
• Ability to assist with preparation of hot and cold foods and beverages.
• Ability to take and record food temperatures on time and temperature charts.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow work schedules.
• Ability to use and clean all kitchen equipment.
• Ability to serve students and adults efficiently, courteously, and rapidly.
• Ability to follow Food and Nutrition Service Policy and Procedures.
• Ability to work efficiently and harmoniously with other employees and work well with students and staff.
• Ability to remain calm under trying circumstances and work with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in a variety of situations.
• Ability to read and understand operating manuals for equipment to be used.
• Must have dependable transportation throughout the working hours.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Working Hours The duty day for this position is 7.0 hours per day including a thirty-minute duty-free lunch.
• Physical Requirements Ability to lift bulk weights up to 55 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, squat, climb.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and endure extreme temperatures.
• The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education.
• Training Must meet the annual education/training requirements for the United States department of Agriculture (USDA) for School Nutrition Employees.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system. Applicants may be required to complete a skills assessment prior to or during the interview process.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Compensation This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is Grade 3 on the Food Service and Assistants salary scale. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime.

Retirement Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.

Benefits HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

Pre-Employment Requirements Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing. Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States.

HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship. For questions regarding this posting, please contact [e-mail].

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email [e-mail].

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind.

HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.