Kitchen Assistant - At Large - Highlands Ranch

Douglas County School District; Highlands Ranch (CO); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, dental

HSAs and FSAs

401k/403b/457 retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Douglas County School District in Highlands Ranch is seeking a Kitchen Assistant - At Large to support daily meal preparation across multiple school locations. You will assist with serving, sanitation, inventory and records under supervision. ServSafe certification is required within 6 months of hire.

The role requires teamwork, reliable English communication, and a customer-focused attitude. This 0.75 FTE position offers full benefits and a 30-hour work week, with duties spanning various

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders.
• 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 English communication; reads and understands instructions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain daily meal counts and production records.
• Assist in setup and cleanup of serving areas and sanitation of workstations.
• Follow HACCP guidelines.
• Operate kitchen equipment properly.
• Open, close, cook and serve for students as directed.
• Receive deliveries and store food and supplies.
• Inventory food and supplies.
• Assist in training kitchen staff and participate in PGI classes.
• Complete USDA Professional Standards training hours annually.

Skills

Collaborative skills

Communication skills

Positive attitude

Policy compliance

Organization & time management

English literacy

Education

ServSafe Education: High School or Equivalent

Job description

Job Posting Title: Kitchen Assistant - At Large - Highlands Ranch

Job Description:

Provides assistance in daily preparation of the school lunch and breakfast programs. Works at a variety of locations based on needs of kitchens, 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. NOTE: 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

Position Specific Information (if Applicable):

Responsibilities:

• 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
• Operate Point of Sale system and reconcile monies daily to ensure accuracy
• 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
• 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
• 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 pursues upcoming regulatory changes and provides 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 temping and recording them
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.
• 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
• Assist in the preparation, service, and sale of meals ensuring compliance with department regulations, Independently follows 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.

Certifications:

• ServSafe Certification within 6 months of hire
• ServSafe 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

Primary Location: West Building E - Nutrition Services and Security

One Year Only (Yes or No): No

Scheduled Hours Per Week: 30

FTE: 0.75

Approx Scheduled Days Per Year: 172 Work Days (260 days indicates a year-round position. Time off [or Off-Track Days] are then granted based on the position. Any exceptions to the normal off-track time will be noted in the Additional Position Details section above, as scheduled work days.)

Minimum Hire Rate: $18.01 USD Hourly

Maximum Hire Rate: $22.91 USD Hourly

Full Salary Range: $18.01 USD - $27.81 USD Hourly

All salary amounts listed above are based on a full-time (1.0) FTE. If applicable, part-time salaries will be prorated according to the assigned FTE.

Benefits:

This position is eligible for health, vision, dental, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), District paid and voluntary additional (supplemental) 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 Plans:

This position is eligible for paid sick and personal time.

This position will be open until filled, but will not be open past: December 8, 2026

Proud to Be DCSD - 65 Years of Excellence

A career in Colorado's Douglas County School District is a chance to be part of something incredibly important and fulfilling. Spanning over 850 square miles, Douglas County School District offers a variety of communities ranging from small rural farm towns to large and fast-growing suburban neighborhoods. At the heart of it all is a love and dedication to family and a unity of purpose around ensuring that each and every one of our community’s 61,000+ students receives the education needed to have the brightest future possible.

Unity of Purpose

DCSD’s Board of Education adopted the following goals for our school district – and our leaders, educators and support staff work diligently to incorporate these values in everything they do.

1. Academic Excellence
2. Outstanding Educators and Staff
3. Safe, Positive Climate and Culture
4. Collaborative Relations with Parents and Community
5. Financial Well-Being

Students Are at the Center of What We Do

In Douglas County, we know that working in education is more than a job - it’s a calling. Every day our dedicated team of educators guides our community’s future leaders by encouraging them to ask questions, explore new ideas, and solve problems. Our school leaders and staff put students first in everything they do and work hard to ensure that our educators have the tools they need to provide every student the best education possible.

Every Student is Unique

In Douglas County, we understand that no two students are the same. Each has a unique learning style and needs. We also know that students want and deserve multiple options for life after high school. We support all students, whether their goal is to go on to a four‑year college, join the military, or directly enter the workforce. We have the programs and know-how to ensure our students are successful in whatever they choose to do after high school.

Every Employee Matters.

From our school principals and licensed teachers to our nutrition services staff and bus drivers, all DCSD employees touch the lives of students and every employee contributes to their success.