Kitchen Assistant, At Large: Highlands Ranch

Douglas County School District; Castle Rock (CO); On-site; USD 24,810 - 31,560; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, and dental coverage

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

401(k) and 403(b) retirement options

Job summary

Douglas County School District is seeking a Kitchen Assistant for its lunch and breakfast programs. The role involves preparing meals at various locations, ensuring compliance with all health regulations, and developing good community relations.

This position guarantees 30 hours per week with hourly pay ranging from $18.01 to $22.91, and includes full health benefits after meeting eligibility requirements.

Qualifications

• ServSafe Certification required within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to inventory food and supplies effectively.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily preparation of school meals.
• Serve meals while ensuring health department standards.
• Maintain daily meal counts and production records.

Skills

Collaborative work

Effective communication

Organizational skills

Customer service

Flexibility

Education

High School or Equivalent

Job description

Kitchen Assistant - Highlands Ranch

Provides assistance in daily preparation of the school lunch and breakfast programs. Works at various locations based on needs, under supervision of Area Manager. Develops and promotes good community relations among various community and school clientele.

ServSafe Certification required within 6 months of hire.

Variable Locations, 6 hrs per day guaranteed, full benefit eligible.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, reaching, lifting (including occasional overhead lifting), bending, kneeling, stooping, squatting, climbing, pushing, twisting, and pulling items weighing 40 lbs or less. Standing or walking 95% of the work day.
• Occasional climbing and balancing using step stool.
• Repetitive motions including lifting, keypad entry, chopping, filling and sealing packaging. Make fast repeated movements of fingers, hands and wrists.
• Use both hands to grasp, grip, move or operate objects or equipment.

Responsibilities

Participate in and lead training to kitchen staff members and participate in PGI Classes. Must annually complete all USDA Mandatory Professional Standards training hours, as required by position category. Actively pursue upcoming regulatory changes and provide sustainable solutions.

Serve meals daily while ensuring compliance with Hazard Analysis Critical Control (HACCP) plan and health department sanitation standards. This includes ensuring the proper cooking and serving temperatures of foods by tempering and recording them.

Maintain daily meal counts and production records. Must produce and understand the regulations regarding preparation, proper food temperatures, appearance and portion sizes.

Assist in the set up and cleanup of serving areas for timely service to students, including dishwashing and proper sanitation of work stations. Follows and understands all HACCP. Uses all kitchen equipment properly. Cleans equipment properly and follows all safety precautions.

Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Operate Point of Sale system and reconcile monies daily to ensure accuracy.

Must travel to multiple schools within a reasonable geographic area and have your own transportation and maintain a flexible schedule based on the needs of the work site.

Manage the opening, closing, cooking and serving of students in the absence of the Kitchen Manager, as directed by your Area Manager. Ability to critically think and problem solve.

Assist in the preparation, service, and sale of meals ensuring compliance with department regulations, independently follow menu and recipe instructions. Preparation of meals can include washing, cleaning, peeling, cutting and chopping fresh fruits, vegetables and meat items. Must follow standard recipe, proper portion sizes and verbal instructions.

Maintain good community relationships with other Nutrition Services staff, school staff, students and parents. Must have a focus on customer service. Must be pleasant, cooperative and able to work with a wide variety of people. Flexibility in learning new concepts, cooperates with others, and adapts to a variety of assignments and conditions.

Receive deliveries and store food and supplies as directed by supervisor. Ability to inventory food and supplies, including fresh, frozen and dry goods.

Certifications

ServSafe Certification within 6 months of hire.

Education

High School or Equivalent.

Skills

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to support positive outcomes, effective oral and written communication skills, maintains a generally positive attitude, observes all District policies and procedures, strong organizational and time management skills, verbal and written communication skills in English and a demonstrated ability to read and comprehend written/graphic and oral instructions.

Position Type

Regular.

Location

West Building E - Nutrition Services and Security.

Schedule

30 scheduled hours per week, 172 work days per year, 0.75 FTE.

Compensation

Minimum hire rate $18.01 USD hourly; maximum hire rate $22.91 USD hourly; full salary range $18.01 USD - $27.81 USD hourly.

Benefits

This position is eligible for health, vision, dental, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), District paid and voluntary additional life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, critical illness and accident voluntary insurance, employee assistance program (EAP), voluntary 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plan options.

Time Off

Eligible for paid sick and personal time.

Application Closing Date

This position will be open until filled, but not past September 22, 2026.