Food Service Worker

City-of-Las-Cruces; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Las Cruces is seeking an entry-level food service worker to support meal preparation and delivery for senior citizens. The role emphasizes safe handling, portioning, and serving meals in a timely manner within a busy kitchen environment.

Responsibilities include cleaning, sanitation, and assisting in various kitchen tasks. CN03 classification; no formal education required, prior kitchen experience preferred; position posted as contract and may be used to build a pool of applicants.

Qualifications

• Food preparation and handling skills suitable for a residential meal program.
• Understanding and applying health, safety, and sanitation practices.

Responsibilities

• Cleans, slices, and chops vegetables and fruits for meals and maintains salad bar with ice as needed.
• Provides kitchen support to other staff and assists with coffee, tea, and water service.

Skills

Food preparation

Safety & sanitation

Customer service

Teamwork

Time management

Job description

Performs and learns a variety of food preparation activities and tasks to assure safe, aesthetically pleasing, and nutritious meals are served to participating senior citizens according to established meal schedules.

Environmental Factors

Work is performed in a commercial kitchen work environment.

Physical Factors

Moderate physical requirements, with risk of burns and cuts; frequent lifting, carrying, and moving up to fifty (50) pounds.

Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies

FIRST CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process. This initial posting will be used to fill one (1) contract positions and may also be utilized to maintain a pool of qualified applicants to fill future vacancies.

This position is graded CN03.

• Cleans, slices, and chops vegetables and fruits to prepare for meals; cleans and maintains salad bar to sustain fresh ingredients and required amount of ice for proper cooling.
• Provides kitchen support to other staff as needed and directed; prepares and cleans-up for coffee, tea, and water service.
• Packages and prepares individual meals for delivery to homebound clients; portions out meals to be catered to various meal sites; follows all portion control, health code, and safety policies and regulations.
• Serves meals to citizens in accordance with established policies and regulations to provide required levels of quality, safety, and customer service.
• Performs a variety of cleaning and sanitation activities regularly to maintain safe and clean environment and food preparation areas; stores and packages food and supplies received in accordance with applicable regulations and safety requirements to ensure items received are not subject to spoilage.
• Transports food to deliver meals or food items to other centers; rotates kitchens as assigned for training purposes.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the entry-level position in the food service series. Working under close supervision, incumbents perform and learn basic institutional cooking methods and procedures. As experience is gained, there is greater independence of action within established guidelines.

No specific educational and experience requirement. Prior experience in a commercial kitchen assisting with food preparation, serving, and cleanup preferred. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy..

Licenses/Certification(s):

Valid Class D driver’s license may be required or preferred. If applicable, position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies. Applicant may be required to satisfactorily complete food safety training and/or obtain applicable food handler’s certification within thirty (30) days of employment.

Knowledge of:

principles, techniques, and methods of volume food preparation, food handling safety and sanitation practices; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards; practices and methods used in food preparation and storage; principles, practices, techniques, activities, rules, and regulations related to the operations and functions of the position and services provided; current principles of record keeping and records management; principles and practices of effective research methods and data analysis, customer service, and problem resolution techniques; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; safe and effective use and maintenance of related tools, materials, and equipment; current methods and standards for preparing effective business correspondence; correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; business and personal computers and related software applications; City organization, operations, policies, and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.

Ability to:

perform a variety of duties and responsibilities and assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands to meet deadlines; ensure appropriate levels of customer service to achieve expectations and meet objectives; read, understand, and assure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, standards, and regulations governing related activities and functions; collect applicable information and maintain accurate and timely records; maintain confidentiality of information and data; communicate effectively orally and in writing and use interpersonal skills to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive work direction; prepare and present accurate and reliable information and reports; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; safely and effectively operate relevant tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles; navigate across even and uneven surfaces; timely and accurately enter data and update records using various mediums and formats; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines and carry out primary responsibilities in accordance with all governing regulations, statutes, and procedures to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.

Skills in:

food preparation techniques and practices; safely and effectively using, operating, and maintaining relevant kitchen tools and equipment; reading, understanding, and applying relevant rules, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures; effectively managing assignments; responding to inquiries timely and within the scope of delegated authority; responding appropriately, maintaining objectivity and freedom from prejudice, and exercising sound judgment and understanding in all interactions; effectively working independently, or as a team member, in various environments with changing priorities; preparing and presenting various reports, documents, forms, and correspondence; researching information, analyzing data, maintaining accurate records, and updating information in various mediums and formats; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; preparing and presenting information in a clear and concise manner; demonstrating appropriate and effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills; performing highly effective support in assigned areas.