Food Service Worker I

Taft College; Taft (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

Taft College is seeking candidates for a part-time, 11-month food service position in the campus cafeteria. The role involves assisting in food preparation, serving meals, and maintaining sanitation standards.

The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and food service experience. Satisfactory food service exam score and Serve-Safe certification within six months are expected. Evening/holiday shifts may apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and food service experience.
• Cash handling experience desirable.
• Satisfactory score on food service examination; Serve-Safe certification within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the preparation of food for service.
• Assures that food is ready for service on time.
• Follows proper sanitary and safety standards for food preparation.
• Helps serve meals.
• Fills ice and juice dispensers; stocks snack bar and machines.
• Cleans assigned work area.
• Washes cooking utensils effectively and quickly.
• Empties trash containers and sanitizes as needed.
• Cleans floors in the cafeteria serving area.

Skills

Cash handling

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Serve-Safe certificate (within 6 months)

Tools

Cash register operation

Job description

Priority Application Deadline: October 18, 2026. Position will remain open until filled.

Anticipated Start Date: November 2, 2026

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical of those performed by employees in the classification, however, employees may perform other related duties not listed and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each employee.

• Assists in the preparation of food for service.
• Assures that food is ready for service on time.
• Follows proper sanitary and safety standards for food preparation.
• Helps serve meals.
• Fills ice and juice dispensers; stocks snack bar, Pepsi machine and milk machine.
• Cleans assigned work area.
• Washes cooking utensils effectively and quickly.
• Empties trash containers and sanitize, if necessary.
• Assists in the cleaning of floors in the cafeteria serving area.
• Cleans ovens.
• Depending on shift assignment, opens and locks all cafeteria doors and secures the facility.
• Operates cash register and accompanying computer terminal to receive cash and record sales; close out and balance cash after shift; prepare or assist in preparing general reports.
• Records meal plan usage.
• Sets up and replenishes salad bar as needed; stores leftover items and cleans up the area.
• Responsible for dispensing, storing, and rotating supplies used in the serving area; such as bringing glasses, cups, drinks, crackers, etc. prior to serving time.
• May transport food following proper sanitary and safety standards
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent and food service experience.

Desirable Qualification

• Cash handling experience

Special Licenses/Certifications

• Satisfactory score on food service examination.
• Possess or be able to obtain Serve-Safe certificate within six months of employment.

Knowledge of

• Basic math for addition and subtraction.
• Sanitation and kitchen safety procedures.
• Food serving procedures to meet time schedules.
• Use of cleaners and detergents as provided.
• Operation of electronic cash register and computer terminal.
• Taft College meal plan.

Ability to

• Account for money and balance cash register.
• Prepare food according to instructions of supervisor.
• Understand and administer meal plan.
• Perform routine, repetitive work.
• Serve the public and students with poise and tact.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff and the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Assignments are typically 19 hours per week and 11 months per year.
• May require over‑time, evening, weekend or holiday hours throughout the year.
• Work is generally performed indoors but may involve traveling to district or county offices to complete assignments or for research, workshops, training or meetings.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and circulate for extended periods of time.
• Ability to see for purposes of reading laws, codes, rules, policies, other printed matter, and observing students.
• Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels.
• Ability to communicate so others will be able to clearly understand a normal conversation.
• Ability to bend and twist, run and lift.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Ability to reach in all directions.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for candidates with physical disabilities.

Environment

Work is generally performed in a busy institutional kitchen and dining facility but may also visit classrooms and attend meetings and training offsite. May stand for extended periods of time.

SUPERVISION

Supervision is received from the Food Service Supervisor. May take or give work direction on projects as assigned. This position has no supervisory duties.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is grade 7 on the Classified Salary Schedule, with a range of $21.05-$22.77 per hour. This is a part time, 11-month position and not eligible for participation in District benefits.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The West Kern Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity . The District is dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination and, as such, is an equal opportunity employer. Veterans, women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.