Food Service Assistant I Candidate Pool

Howard County Public School System; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Membership in Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA)

Paid time off

Job summary

Howard County Public School System is seeking a Food and Nutrition Service Assistant 1 to assist in preparing and serving food to students in various schools. Responsibilities include food preparation, serving, operating kitchen equipment, and maintaining sanitary conditions in the kitchen.

The ideal candidate must possess a high school diploma or GED and have 6 months of relevant food service experience, ideally within a school cafeteria setting. This position offers competitive benefits and compliance with USDA training requirements.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of main dishes, vegetables, salads, and beverages.
• Set up food counters for serving and stock counters with food and utensils.
• Serve food and beverages to students and adults.
• Function as a cashier and maintain cash accounts.
• Operate kitchen equipment and maintain sanitary conditions.
• Assist with the receiving and storage of food and supplies.
• Deliver meals to classrooms and maintain food quality.

Skills

Kitchen cleaning methods

Food preparation techniques

Sanitation regulations

Safety and accident prevention

Customer service skills

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Kitchen equipment

Job description

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Food and Nutrition Service Satellite Manager or other designated individual, the Food and Nutrition Service Assistant 1 performs duties related to preparing and serving foods to students and maintaining kitchen equipment and facilities. The assistant may serve as a floater across elementary, middle, or high schools.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of main dishes, vegetables, salad‑based items, sandwiches, and other foods and beverages served in the cafeteria.
• Set up hot and cold food counters for serving and properly stock counters and carts with food, plates, utensils, and condiments.
• Serve food and beverages to students and adults.
• Identify and serve a reimbursable meal as defined by the USDA child nutrition program to each student.
• Function as a cashier, receive money, and operate the cafeteria point‑of‑sale register while maintaining an accurate account of cash collected and meals served.
• Operate kitchen equipment such as 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 to maintain sanitary conditions.
• Assist in receiving and storage of all food, equipment, paper, and cleaning supplies and assist with inventory.
• Load carts and deliver meals to classrooms as assigned.
• Use correct portion‑control techniques to meet USDA requirements.
• Replenish and refill any diminishing quality of menu items and keep condiments always filled.
• Inspect food items before serving to verify compliance with mandated health requirements.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of kitchen cleaning methods, serving techniques, and storage procedures.
• Introductory knowledge of safety and accident prevention techniques related to food preparation and kitchen 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 the 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.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift bulk weights up to 55 pounds. Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, squat, climb, and 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.

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 Grade2 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.

Benefits

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary. HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including paid time off and other negotiated benefits 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. Some positions may require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing. All candidates must provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E‑Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 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.