Food Service Specialist

Tap Into Hope; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Tap Into Hope is seeking a Food Service Specialist to support daily kitchen operations, meal preparation, and delivery for child development centers. Responsibilities include preparing large quantities of meals, packaging, labeling, and maintaining food service records to ensure CACFP compliance and food safety.

The role requires applicant to assist with inventory, meal distribution, and coordination with center staff.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of food sanitation and safety procedures.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and recordkeeping abilities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, package, transport, and serve meals per approved menus and CACFP standards.
• Assist with food production, inventory, and maintaining accurate records.
• Help with meal delivery to designated centers and support daily operations.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation throughout kitchen, storage, and delivery areas.
• Assist with special dietary substitutions and field trip meals; ensure safety and safety compliance.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Instruction following

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SERV Safe Training

Vehicle operation

Job description

Every TAP employee shares in TAP’s responsibility to “Mobilize Community Resources” in support of TAP’s anti-poverty efforts.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Food Service Specialist performs a variety of food service, meal support, and delivery duties in support of daily kitchen operations and meal distribution for child development centers. Responsibilities include preparing and cooking food in large quantities, assisting with food production and packaging, maintaining food service records, cleaning and sanitizing kitchen areas and equipment, preparing meals for transportation, and delivering food to designated centers. Additional duties include assisting with meal service at child development centers, setting up and serving meals and snacks, monitoring dining areas to promote cleanliness and safety, and helping maintain compliance with nutrition, sanitation, and program guidelines.

This position also supports inventory management, prepares special dietary substitutions and field trip meals, and assists with maintaining compliance with USDA/CACFP regulations, food safety standards, and agency procedures. The employee may work independently on assigned tasks and under direct supervision for assignments outside routine duties. Work is reviewed through observation and inspection.

REPORTING STRUCTURE:

Supervised by: Food Service Manager

Supervises: None directly; may assist with oversight of food service staff in the absence of the Food Service Manager

Coordinates with: All Food Service Staff, Center Lunch Aides, and Child Development Centers

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Food Service Specialist performs a wide range of food preparation, meal service, delivery, sanitation, inventory, and support functions to ensure the efficient operation of the food service program for child development centers. Responsibilities include:

• Preparing, cooking, packaging, transporting, and serving meals and snacks in accordance with approved menus, CACFP guidelines, and established food safety and sanitation standards.
• Preparation and cooking of meats, vegetables, fruits, breakfast items, snacks, and other food items in large quantities; following approved menus, standardized creditable recipes, and special dietary requirements.
• Preparing and packaging meals, snacks, allergy substitutions, and field trip meals; labeling food items and maintaining accurate food service documentation.
• Organizing and preparing food and supplies for daily and weekly center deliveries.
• Filling meal totes with correct menu items
• Receiving, inspecting, storing, and rotating inventory.
• Stocking food and supplies from refrigerators, freezers, and storage areas; and returning unused food items to proper storage locations following meal service.
• Loading, unloading, and transporting food, meal containers, and supplies
• Operating agency vehicles to complete assigned meal delivery routes including assisting with vehicle fueling, cleaning, inspections, maintenance appointments and ensuring timely and accurate delivery of meals to designated centers.
• Maintains cleanliness and sanitation throughout kitchen, storage, prep, dishwashing, loading dock, and vehicle areas by washing and sanitizing dishes, pots, pans, utensils, equipment, prep stations, refrigerators, freezers, floors, and delivery totes in accordance with health and safety standards.
• Assists with receiving vendor deliveries, organizing supply shipments, removing trash and recyclable materials, and maintaining a safe, clean, and organized work environment at all times.
• Assist Center Lunch Aides with meal setup and service, communicate meal-related information between centers and kitchen staff, and support daily operations in the absence of the Food Service Manager as assigned.
• Ability to obtain SERV Safe Food Handler or Manager Certification
• Expected to work cooperatively as part of the food service team and perform other related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Knowledge of food sanitation and food safety procedures.
• Ability to learn repetitive tasks quickly and efficiently.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in oral and written form.
• Basic math and recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to maintain positive working relationships.

TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of six months experience in food service operations required.
• Experience in large-scale food preparation or institutional kitchen operations preferred.
• Valid Virginia Operator’s License with a good driving record preferred for positions requiring food delivery duties.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Participation in Whole Family training and agency data entry systems may be required as part of agency operations and client services.
• Serve Safe training preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must pass drug screening and all required background checks, including criminal, sex offender, and child protective services screenings.
• Employees operating agency or personal vehicles for agency business may be subject to Virginia DMV Driver Alert Program monitoring.
• Ability to perform heavy physical work including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, walking, kneeling, crouching, climbing, reaching, balancing, and repetitive hand movements.
• Ability to lift and move heavy objects, supplies, and food containers regularly.
• Visual acuity sufficient to safely operate motor vehicles and equipment and to inspect work for accuracy and cleanliness.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors and tolerate exposure to noise, heat, odors, fumes, dust, mists, chemicals, gases, and other kitchen-related environmental conditions.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description provides information regarding the essential functions and general nature of the work performed. It is not intended to describe all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications that may be required and should not be interpreted as limiting the assignments that may be given.

Every employee shares responsibility in supporting TAP’s mission to “Mobilize Community Resources” in support of anti-poverty efforts.

We only hire individuals legally eligible for employment in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Drug-Free Workplace