Kitchen Assistant

West Ottawa Public Schools; Michigan; On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

West Ottawa High School School is seeking a part-time food service assistant for the school cafeteria. The position involves light food preparation, sanitation, occasional cash register duties, dishwashing, and supervising the cafeteria during lunch periods.

The role requires the ability to lift up to 40 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work in a fast-paced kitchen. Experience in a school kitchen is preferred; ServSafe certification is a plus.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a school kitchen or cafeteria preferred.
• ServSafe certified preferred.

Responsibilities

• Food Preparation: Assist with light food preparation. Follow recipes and portion guidelines to ensure consistency and quality. Maintain a clean and organized work area at all times.
• Sanitation: Adhere to proper sanitation and food safety guidelines at all times. Clean and sanitize food preparation surfaces, equipment, and utensils. Monitor food temperatures and storage to prevent spoilage and contamination.
• Running Register: On occasion, assist with operating the cash register and accurately process transactions. Handle cash in accordance with established procedures. Balance cash drawer at the end of each shift.
• Dishwashing: Assist with dishwashing duties as needed, including washing, rinsing, and sanitizing dishes, carts and utensils. Ensure that all dishes are properly cleaned and stored for future use.
• Cafeteria Monitoring: Greet students and staff in a friendly and courteous manner. Keep a clean and welcoming cafeteria environment. Wash and lift tables at the end of the lunch period. Empty full trash bins and take trash to outside dumpster. Assist students with their meals and answer any questions about menu items.
• Other: Physically demanding job. Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry up to 40 lbs. Able to stand for extended periods and work in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Skills

Experience working in a school kitchen

ServSafe certified

Job description

West Ottawa High School School

Posting Dates: September 2, 2026 – Until Filled

Reports To: Food Director

Beginning: September, 2026

Hours: 20 hours per week

Monday to Friday

School Year/Part Time

Qualifications:

• Experience working in a school kitchen or cafeteria preferred.
• ServSafe certified preferred.

Job Responsibilities:

• Food Preparation::
  Assist with light food preparation. Follow recipes and portion guidelines to ensure consistency and quality. Maintain a clean and organized work area at all times.
• Sanitation: Adhere to proper sanitation and food safety guidelines at all times. Clean and sanitize food preparation surfaces, equipment, and utensils. Monitor food temperatures and storage to prevent spoilage and contamination.
• Running Register: On occasion, assist with operating the cash register and accurately process transactions.Handle cash in accordance with established procedures. Balance cash drawer at the end of each shift.
• Dishwashing: Assist with dishwashing duties as needed, including washing, rinsing, and sanitizing dishes, carts and utensils. Ensure that all dishes are properly cleaned and stored for future use.
• Cafeteria Monitoring: Greet students and staff in a friendly and courteous manner. Keep a clean and welcoming cafeteria environment. Wash and lift tables at the end of the lunch period. Empty full trash bins and take trash to outside dumpster. Assist students with their meals and answer any questions about menu items.
• Other: Physically demanding job. Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry up to 40 lbs. Able to stand for extended periods and work in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles. Must be able to lift, carry, push and/or pull up to 40pounds
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken work; those activities where detailed or import spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound.
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• The worker is subject to environmental conditions.
• The worker should provide consistent and reliable in person attendance.