Food Service Lead

J.o-Combs-Unified-School-District; San Tan Valley (AZ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits eligible

First month after hire benefits

Job summary

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 seeks a Food Service Lead at Ellsworth Elementary School. The role reports to the Food & Nutrition Supervisor and oversees kitchen operations, ensuring quality meals and efficient teamwork.

Candidate must have a high school diploma or GED, with related experience; a Fingerprint Clearance Card and required food-safety certifications are expected. This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a 90-day probationary period.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED with one year of training or experience in large quantity food preparation or management.
• Must obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card and relevant food & safety certifications.
• Knowledge of food service equipment and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain daily records including cash reports and inventory.
• Prepare hot dishes for students and staff, ensuring food safety and quality.
• Supervise kitchen staff, delegate tasks, and promote teamwork.
• Order supplies and manage deliveries as instructed.
• Adhere to district policies and safety guidelines at all times.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication skills

Food safety knowledge

Cashier/software use

Inventory management

OSHA knowledge

Customer service

Training & supervising staff

Bilingual (preferred)

Education

High school diploma or GED

IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

Food Manager's Certificate

Arizona Food Handler's Card

CPR and First Aid Certification

Job description

Openings as of 8/20/2026

Food Service Lead JobID: 650

• Date Posted:8/17/2026
• Location:Ellsworth Elementary School

Position: Food Service Lead
Salary Schedule: $16.66 an hour, plus additional credit for related experience and education.
Hours:Full-time; 7.5 Hrs/Day
FLSA Status:Non-Exempt
Benefits: Eligible, first of the month following date of hire
Evaluation:90-day Probationary, then Annually
At Will Agreement:10 Months, 195 Days
Reports to:Food Service Supervisor

Job Description

TheKitchenLead works at the School Site and reports to the Food & Nutrition Supervisor overseeing the Food Service program and workers. The KitchenLead oversees the kitchen operations, ensures quality meals, promotes teamwork, and maintains a successful kitchenby performing the following duties.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High School diploma or GED and one year of training or experience in large quantity food preparation and/or management
• Must have or be able to obtain an IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, through the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• Mustpossess or be able to obtainChild Nutrition Programs Certification,Food Manager's Certificate andArizona Food Handler's Card
• Mustpossessor be able to obtainCPR and First Aid Certification
• Knowledge of institutional kitchen equipment including operation and preventive maintenance procedures
• Knowledge of OSHA requirementsand other District, Federal and State workplace safety requirements and ability to adhere to the guidelines and procedures
• Must be able toorganize and direct the work of others and act asan effective team leader
• Mustbe abletoaccuratelycalculate figures and amounts such as measurements, proportions andpercentages
• Must be ableto use District computer softwarefor cashier responsibilities, tomaintainaccuraterecords, write routine reports, correspondence and procedure manuals
• Must be ableto read and interpret documents such as safety rules, spreadsheets,operating and maintenance instructions, and policy manuals
• Ability to assess concerns and complaints of students, staffand parents and proceed appropriately
• Must possessexcellent communication skills and must beable to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of supervisors, subordinates, other employees, parents and the general public
• LINQ school nutrition experience or training preferred

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains a variety of records and prepares reports, including daily cash report
• Assists with Free/Reduced applications. May enter information in the computer and send correspondence
• Prepares a variety of hot dishes for students and faculty
• Uses safe food handling and preparationpracticesin all aspects of serving meals
• Makes sure the kitchen is maintained in a sanitary and safe condition
• Prepares weekly inventory and consults with Food Services Supervisor
• Review student accounts and ensure accuracy. Records information appropriately
• Confers with Food Services Supervisor regarding quantities and adjusts recipes for proper amount
• Orders milk and supplies as instructed
• Displays and demonstrates thorough knowledge of food safety guidelines and procedures
• Keeps temperature chart on walk-in freezer and dry storage
• Checks the temperature of food to ensure proper holding temperatures
• Checks in & puts away deliveries. Ensures quality and quantity of orders
• Cleans equipment, dishes, utensils, and work area
• Attends seminars,workshops, and trainings as directed by Food Services Supervisor
• Assists in finding recipes for utilizing commodities
• Performs all duties in a safe and effective manner
• Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

SupervisesFood Service employees on site.Carries out supervisory responsibilities inaccordance with District policy and applicablelaws.Responsibilitiesmayinclude interviewing,hiring and training employees;daily communication withFood Services Supervisor;planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is regularly exposed to risk of electrical shock and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and extreme cold.The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, or sexual orientation in admission and access to its programs, services, activities, or in any aspect of its operations and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. The following employees have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Compliance Officer for Title IX , Director of Human Resources, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300, and Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA , Director of Student Services, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.

J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 no discrimina en base a la raza, el color, la religión, el origen nacional, el sexo, la discapacidad, la edad, o la orientación sexual para la admisión y su acceso a sus programas, servicios, actividades, o en cualquier aspecto de sus operaciones y proporciona un acceso igualitario a los Boys Scouts y otro grupos de jóvenes designados. J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 tampoco discrimina en sus prácticas de empleo y contratación. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para manejar las preguntas en cuanto a las polízas de no discriminación: Funcionario de Cumplimiento de Título IX , Director de Recursos Humanos, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 o 480-987-5318 y Funcionario de Cumplimiento para la Sección 504/ADA , Director de Servicios Estudiantiles, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.