Kitchen Assistant Part Time [Starts $18/hr]

Omaha Public Schools; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player in education is seeking a dedicated Kitchen Assistant for the upcoming school year. This part-time role involves assisting with meal preparation, ensuring food safety, and providing exceptional customer service to students and staff. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills, along with a commitment to maintaining a positive environment. Join a team that values diversity and aims to create a supportive atmosphere for all. If you are passionate about food service and enjoy working with children, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Qualifications

• High School diploma is required; food service experience preferred.
• Skills in safe food handling and customer service are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparation, service, and storage of food.
• Promote customer service by providing appealing food.
• Follow food safety, cleaning, and sanitation procedures.

Skills

Basic arithmetic calculations

Food service experience

Safe food handling

Customer relations

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

2025-26 School Year

Location: Pine Elementary

5.0 scheduled hours per day: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Work August through May when students are in session.

Reports To: Executive Director, Nutrition Services

Position Purpose: Primary responsibilities include assisting with the preparation and serving of quality meals to students and staff, cleaning and sanitation of equipment, rotating food stock and supplies, and providing superior customer service.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to apply basic arithmetic calculations using units of American money, weight measurements, volume and distance.
• Previous food service experience, preferred.
• Skill in safe food handling.
• Skill in customer relations and service recovery.
• Must demonstrate excellent attendance and work record.
• Practical working knowledge of food safety practices and procedures.
• Sensitivity and ability to interact with students, co-workers, teachers, administrators, other staff, and parents of other cultures and backgrounds.
• The skills pertinent to positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with all staff, students, parents, administrators and the community.
• Excellent organizational skills, demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects with strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of OPS’s mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Assist with the preparation, service, and storage of food.
• Support service excellence initiatives with proactive efforts in service.
• Follow approved cafeteria menu preparation and service protocols within approved timeline.
• Train in all stations within the kitchen to cross cover as needed.
• Promote improvement in customer service by providing appealing food and excellent customer service.
• Participate in financial management process by carefully monitoring portion control, proper pricing, and safe storage of supplies and food.
• Assist with the completion of required reports.
• Working with and understanding a diverse student population.
• Serves as a positive role model.
• Ability to recognize a “reimbursable” meal.
• Must follow and maintain required food safety, cleaning and sanitation procedures.
• Follow Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) procedures.
• Must practice good hygiene habits.
• Demonstrate proficiency of the English language to read and communicate with others.
• Demonstrate proficiency of basic math skills (add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals), as well as counting money.
• Ability to operate the food service equipment in a safe manner.
• Ability to receive and process verbal information as well as respond to nonverbal sounds.
• Assist with the dishmachine as needed.
• Successful completion of the Douglas County Food Handlers Certification, scoring 80% or above, before attending the kitchen training class.
• Successful completion of Kitchen Assistant Training.
• Ability to maintain current Douglas County Food Handler’s Certification.

Additional Duties:
Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Travel: Local travel will be required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Work in an office environment, school buildings and warehouse setting.
• Ability to lift, move and reposition objects and materials-frequently exerting force equal to lifting fifty (50) pounds.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors.
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day-to-day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

• For departments and/or schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Terms of Employment:

This position is treated as a classified part-time non-exempt position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

• Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses, certificates, and other requirements for your position (e.g., Paraprofessionals obtaining “Highly Qualified status,” etc.), as identified.
• A thorough background check which demonstrates to OPS that background is acceptable for the position sought and working with or around students.
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination to determine ability to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

Omaha public schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.