Food Services Cook

J.o-Combs-Unified-School-District; San Tan Valley (AZ); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

J.O. Combs Unified School District is seeking a Food Service Cook for a substitute role at Ellsworth Elementary School. The position involves assisting in food prep, serving meals, and maintaining safe, clean kitchen operations under supervision.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma or GED, and may need a Food Handler's Certificate, CPR/First Aid, and a DPS fingerprint clearance. Candidates should be able to lift up to 50 pounds and operate standard kitchen equipment.

Qualifications

• Requires a Food Handler's Certificate or ability to obtain one.
• Must hold CPR and First Aid Certification or obtain.
• Must possess and maintain DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Experience in institutional food prep helpful but not required.
• Able to operate institutional equipment safely.
• Ability to read and follow cooking instructions, recipes, memos.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation of foods as instructed.
• Operate standard cooking and baking equipment.
• Operate institutional kitchen equipment like mixer, slicer, and dishwasher.
• Handle routine food prep tasks with accuracy.
• Weigh and measure ingredients and set up serving lines.
• Serve students with correct portions and maintain safety.
• Clean up serving lines and kitchen areas; dispose of refuse.

Skills

Food Handler's Certificate

CPR & First Aid Certification

Reading and following instructions

Ability to lift 25-50 pounds

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Oven

Convection oven

Microwave oven

Mixer

Slicer

Chopper

Dishwashing machines

Steam table

Job description

• Position Type: Food Services/ Food Services Cook
• Date Posted: 8/28/2026
• Location: Ellsworth Elementary School

J.O. Combs Unified School District 44 complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities to apply and participate in the hiring process. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources at 480-987-5300.

About Us

J.O. Combs Unified School District is located in San Tan Valley near Queen Creek, Mesa, Apache Junction, and Florence. We offer the full student experience from Pre-K through high school. The District is comprised of five elementary schools, a middle school, a high school, and alternative and online schools. We hire employees who are committed, innovative, and passionate about children and their educational opportunities. If this describes you, continue to learn more about the position below.

Benefits:Eligible, first of the month following date of hire

Reports to: Food Service Supervisor

Why Work for Us

• You will make a difference in children's lives, our future leaders
• As a substitute, you choose when and where you work based on open positions

About the Role

The Food Service Cook works under supervision to assist in the preparation, serving, and cleanup of food in a quantity food service operation. The Food Service Cook uses safe food practices in setting up the serving line. Food Service Cook serves and stores food and equipment for students and staff by performing the following duties.

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists in the preparation of foods as instructed
• Operates standard cooking and baking equipment such as oven, range, convection oven, microwave oven, steam cooking table, and hot holding carts
• Operates institutional kitchen equipment such as mixer, slicer, chopper, scale, and dishwashing machines
• Is responsible for work of routine difficulty in the preparation of food products
• Selects, weighs, and measures ingredients and prepares food
• Sets up serving lines
• Sets up steam table, salad bar, and serving area
• Serves students with correct portions
• Performs all duties safely and prudently as directed
• Cleans up serving lines
• Cleans work areas and disposes of refuse. Assists in the cleaning of the kitchen, equipment, and utensils
• Performs all general clean-up. Washes dishes, pots and pans, equipment, cooking and preparation surfaces, and the floor
• Performs additional related duties as required

What You Need

• High school diploma or GED
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Food Handler's Certificate
• Must possess or be able to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification
• Must possess and maintain a valid DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Experience in institutional food preparation helpful but not required
• Must be able to safely operate institutional equipment
• Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals
• Must know of and must be able to adhere to District, state and federal policies, regulations and procedures
• Must be able to carry out written or oral instructions
• Must be able to read and comprehend cooking instructions, recipes, short correspondence, and memos
• Must be able to effectively present to supervisors, students, and other employees
• Must be able to lift required amounts

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.

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, Athletic Director, 2505 E. Germann Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-882-3540 and Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA, Director of Student Services, 43371 N. Kenworthy Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 or 480-987-5300.

Postings current as of 8/31/2026 1:31:07 PM CST.

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