FOOD SERVICE ASSISTANT II

SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Lawrence Unified School District is seeking a part-time Food Service Assistant II at Southwest Middle School in Lawrence, Kansas. The role involves food preparation, serving meals, cashiering, and maintaining sanitary kitchen areas to meet nutrition and safety standards.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, and offers duties across food preparation, inventory and record-keeping, with training for student workers.

Qualifications

• Experience in a school food service environment is preferred.
• Ability to manage cash handling and meal accounting.
• Knowledge of food safety standards and sanitation procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals meeting nutritional guidelines.
• Assist with inventory and stock replenishment.
• Maintain cleanliness of kitchen, serving, and dining areas.
• Process payments and manage student meal accounts.
• Train student workers and volunteers as needed.

Skills

Food service

Cashiering

Safety procedures

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Hobart mixer

Ovens

Steamer

Job description

Lawrence Unified School District (KS) SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL - Lawrence, Kansas Open in Google Maps

FOOD SERVICE ASSISTANT II

Lawrence Unified School District (KS) SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL - Lawrence, Kansas Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Lawrence Unified School District (KS)

Job Details

Job ID: 5934249
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Sep 21, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Food Service Assistant II

USD 497

Details

FTE:

0.5

HOURS/DAY:

4.0

DAYS PER YEAR:

184

Purpose Statement

The job of Food Service Assistant II is done for the purpose/s of performing a variety of food service operations (e.g. food preparation, servicing, cashiering, cleaning) at various school sites, distributing food items for consumption by students and school personnel and maintaining facilities in a sanitary condition.

Essential Functions

• Arranges food and beverage items (e.g. placing in steam tables, displaying, filling racks, etc.) for the purpose of making them available to students and staff.
• Assists the supervisor in the oversight and preparation of food and beverage items (e.g. transport preparations, temperature monitoring, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that department objectives are achieved.
• Assists with physical inventories for the purpose of verifying stock and ensuring availability of supplies needed.
• Attends meetings as assigned for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Cleans utensils, equipment, and the storage, food preparation, serving, and eating areas for the purpose of maintaining sanitary conditions and meeting health and safety requirements.
• Collects payments for food items from students and/or staff (e.g. cash, meal tickets, etc.) for the purpose of securing funds for reimbursement of costs for providing nutritional services.
• Cooks food items for the purpose of meeting mandated nutritional requirements and/or projected meal requirements.
• Estimates food preparation amounts and adjusts recipes if required for the purpose of meeting mandated nutritional requirements, projected meal requirements and minimizing waste.
• Inspects food items and/or supplies received for the purpose of verifying quantity and specifications of orders and/or complying with mandated health requirements.
• Maintains accurate student accounts (e.g. free and reduced meal status, meal count, etc.) for the purpose of providing documentation to meet state, federal and/or administrative requirements.
• Maintains records for the purpose of creating a complete and accurate history of activities.
• Monitors kitchen and cafeteria areas for the purpose of ensuring a safe work environment.
• Performs functions as required of another position within area of responsibility for the purpose of providing overall coverage of food service operations.
• Prepares food and beverage items for consumption at site or for transporting to other locations for the purpose of meeting mandated nutritional requirements and projected meal requirements.
• Processes various documentation for the purpose of providing food and money accountability.
• Reconciles transactions for the purpose of balancing accounts and adhering to established accounting practices.
• Records equipment malfunctions for the purpose of maintaining equipment in a safe working order.
• Records meal counts for the purpose of providing documentation and/or conveying information for planning purposes to supervisory and management personnel.
• Responds to inquiries of students, staff and the public for the purpose of providing information and/or direction regarding the selection and price of meal items.
• Serves one or more items of food for the purpose of meeting mandated nutritional requirements and/or requests of students and school personnel.
• Stocks food, condiments and supplies for the purpose of maintaining adequate quantities and security of items.
• Tests prepared food for flavor, appearance and temperature for the purpose of ensuring the acceptance of items by students and staff.
• Trains employees and student workers/volunteers and evaluates job performance for the purpose of achieving success in the food services department.

Other Functions

• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and utilizing equipment used in food preparation including can opener, scales, Hobart mixer, ovens, steamer, steam pot, slicer, proofer, knives, transport carts, serving tools, etc.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: health standards and hazards; quantity cooking; and safety practices and procedures.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others; work with data utilizing specific, defined processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires following prescribed guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; setting priorities; working with children; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; working as part of a team; adhering to district policies; and regular attendance except when taking approved leave.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 10% sitting, 10% walking, and 80% standing. The job is performed under some temperature extremes and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience Job related experience is desired.

Education High school diploma or equivalent.

Valid Driver’s License & Evidence of Insurability Preferred

Certificates

SNA Certification

Continuing Educ./Training

At least 6 hours of annual continuing education/training. Coordinated by Food Service Department

In-house 3 hour Food Safety Basics Class within the first 6 months of employment and thereafter every 5 years

Clearances

Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Kansas Department of Children and Families

Physical and Tuberculosis Clearance

FLSA Status

Non Exempt 07/01/26 08

Position Type: Part-Time
Salary: $20.10 to $20.10 Per Hour
Job Categories:

Support Staff > Food Service

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required