Kitchen Assistant

West Ottawa Public Schools; Michigan; On-site; USD 1,653,000 - 2,204,000; Part time

Job summary

West Ottawa Public Schools is seeking a part-time Food Service Assistant to support breakfast and lunch preparation in a school setting. You will follow recipes, assist with serving students, and maintain a clean work area.

The role requires the ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 40 lbs, and operate the service line efficiently. Prior Cafeteria exposure and ServSafe certification are preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience in a school cafeteria preferred.
• ServSafe certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Light food prep for breakfast and lunch following recipes and portion guidelines.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area throughout the shift.
• Serve students and staff, assist with meals and respond to menu questions.
• Operate cash register and process transactions, balance drawer at shift end.
• Assist with dishwashing and ware, ensure proper cleaning and storage.
• Physically demanding role; ability to lift up to 40 lbs and stand for extended periods.

Skills

Experience working in school kitchen

ServSafe certified

Job description

Frontline Applicant Tracking - West Ottawa Public Schools

Reports To: Food Director

Beginning: October, 2026

Hours: 28.75 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: Responsible for light food prep including breakfast and lunch meals. 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.
• Serving Students: Greet students and staff in a friendly and courteous manner. Serve food items according to portion sizes and dietary restrictions.Assist students with their meals and answer any questions about menu items.
• Running Register: Operate 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.
• 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.