Food Service Assistant

The Goddard School; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Paid time off

Job summary

The Goddard School in Springfield, IL is seeking a Kitchen/Food Service Assistant to support daily meal and snack service for our students. You’ll help keep the kitchen organized, clean, and stocked, and assist the Food Service Manager with hands-on prep and delivery to classrooms.

You’ll follow recipes, portion guidelines, and food safety procedures, while staying active all day. This role offers weekday hours in a friendly, supportive school environment where teamwork matters.

Qualifications

• Must meet all Illinois DCFS requirements for employment in a licensed child care center.
• Must be able to pass required background checks.
• Food Handler Certification required or willingness to obtain upon hire.
• Previous kitchen, food service, restaurant, school, or child care experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with daily meal and snack preparation
• Portioning food according to age-appropriate serving sizes
• Preparing and organizing meal and snack carts for classrooms
• Delivering food and supplies to classrooms as needed
• Washing dishes, utensils, pans, carts, and other kitchen equipment
• Cleaning and sanitizing food preparation and kitchen areas
• Properly storing food and rotating inventory
• Assisting with receiving and putting away food and supply deliveries
• Following food safety, sanitation, and allergy procedures
• Helping maintain accurate labeling and proper food storage
• Supporting the Food Service Manager with daily kitchen needs
• Maintaining a clean, organized, and well-stocked kitchen
• Following all school, DCFS, health department, and food safety requirements
• Assisting with other school needs as assigned

Skills

Dependable

Organized

Food safety

Team player

Job description

Benefits

• Employee discounts
• Paid time off

Are you dependable, organized, and someone who enjoys keeping things clean and running smoothly? The Goddard School is looking for a Food Service Assistant to join our team and help us provide nutritious meals and snacks to the children in our care!

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working behind the scenes, staying busy throughout the day, and being part of a fun, supportive school environment.

What You'll Do

As our Kitchen Assistant, you will work closely with our Food Service Manager to help keep our kitchen organized, clean, and ready to serve our students each day.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with daily meal and snack preparation
• Portioning food according to age-appropriate serving sizes
• Preparing and organizing meal and snack carts for classrooms
• Delivering food and supplies to classrooms as needed
• Washing dishes, utensils, pans, carts, and other kitchen equipment
• Cleaning and sanitizing food preparation and kitchen areas
• Properly storing food and rotating inventory
• Assisting with receiving and putting away food and supply deliveries
• Following food safety, sanitation, and allergy procedures
• Helping maintain accurate labeling and proper food storage
• Supporting the Food Service Manager with daily kitchen needs
• Maintaining a clean, organized, and well-stocked kitchen
• Following all school, DCFS, health department, and food safety requirements
• Assisting with other school needs as assigned

What We're Looking For

• Dependable and punctual – our classrooms count on meals and snacks being ready on time!
• Organized and able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable standing, bending, lifting, and being active throughout the shift
• Able to follow recipes, portion guidelines, and written instructions
• Detail-oriented, especially when it comes to allergies and food safety
• Willing to clean, wash dishes, and jump in wherever help is needed
• Positive, flexible, and a team player
• Comfortable working in an environment with young children

Qualifications

• Must meet all Illinois DCFS requirements for employment in a licensed child care center
• Must be able to pass required background checks
• Food Handler Certification required or willingness to obtain upon hire
• Previous kitchen, food service, restaurant, school, or child care experience is preferred but not required
• Ability to safely lift and carry food, supplies, and kitchen equipment
• Ability to follow sanitation and food safety procedures consistently

Why Join The Goddard School?

At The Goddard School, every role contributes to creating a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for our children. Our kitchen team plays an incredibly important part in our school day by making sure our students are well-fed and ready to learn, play, and grow.

We offer a welcoming team environment, consistent weekday hours, and the opportunity to be part of a school community that truly values the work you do.

No late nights and no traditional restaurant environment!

If you're reliable, hardworking, and ready to be part of a team that makes a difference for children every day, we'd love to meet you!

Each Goddard School location is privately owned and operated by Goddard Franchisor LLC franchisees. The Goddard School franchise owner(s) are the employers at each school, and the franchise owner(s) set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location.