Kitchen Assistant (SDSU Children's Center -Spring 2027)

San Diego State University; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

SDSU Children's Center is seeking a Kitchen Assistant for the Spring 2027 term to help prepare and serve meals for up to 200 children daily. The role is part-time year round, with shifts typically M/W/F or T/Th between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM. Orientation occurs January 15, with potential to start before that date.

Responsibilities include maintaining kitchen cleanliness, managing inventory, and ensuring food safety standards. Prior food service experience is preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Enrollment at SDSU in at least half-time units (6 undergrad, 3 grad).
• International students must have full-time enrollment (12 undergrad, 6 grad).
• Must be in good academic standing and eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Prepares breakfast, lunch, and/or afternoon snack for up to 200 children daily.
• Washes, dries, and stores dishes used in meal prep and service.
• Keeps kitchen clean and organized (sinks, cupboards, oven, fridge, floors).
• Maintains inventory and records of food/milk served and returned.
• Monitors food deliveries and updates milk charts daily.

Skills

Strong communication

Kitchen teamwork

Allergy awareness

Education

Enrollment at SDSU

Good academic standing

US work eligibility

Job description

Kitchen Assistant (SDSU Children's Center -Spring 2027)

Location:

Pay:

Pay Type:

Employment Type:

This is a year round part time position. Spring shifts begin as soon as Jan. 15th and ideally continue working throughout the Spring, and Summer semesters. If hired before January 15th, there may be opportunity to pick up shifts before Jan.15th. January 15th is our new staff orientation.

General Purpose Under the Direction of the Children's Center Food Services Supervisor and Assistant, assists in all aspects of providing breakfast, lunch, and/or afternoon snack for up to 200 children a day.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Functions

• Dependent upon schedule, sets up and prepares breakfast, lunch and/or afternoon snack
• Washes, dries and puts away all dishes used in the preparation, eating and serving of the meal
• Maintains the cleanliness and neatness of the kitchen area to include sinks, cupboards, oven, refrigerator, floors, etc.
• Maintains inventory or foods and supplies
• Maintains records of food/milk served and returned daily
• Monitors food deliveries
• Posts quantities of milk returned on the milk chart daily
• Follows through with regular cleaning and maintenance schedules as posted or directed by coordinators
• Applies and maintains appropriate health and safety standards in the kitchen
• Alerts coordinators to equipment that fails to meet the standards for safety as outlined in the food handlers training

Customer Service and Collaboration

• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with various A.S. and University departments

Safety

• Ensures all operations are conducted with safety of staff and customers as first priority, and in accordance with the Injury and Illness Prevention Plan and other safety policies
• Adheres to Associated Students' and Children's Center Codes of Safe Practice
• Reports accidents to supervisor and reviews changes required to avoid reoccurrence Ensures completion proper documentation is completed for each accident (employee and/or non-employee) and forwards to supervisor
• Reports maintenance problems and/or broken and unsafe equipment to the appropriate party immediately

Job Requirements:

Minimum & Preferred Requirements

Education

• Students must be enrolled in at least half time units at SDSU (6 units undergraduate; 3 units graduate).
• International students must have full-time enrollment at SDSU (12 units undergraduate; 6 units graduate).
• Global Campus units do not meet the SDSU unit requirements.
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must be eligible to work in the United States

Experience

• Experience in food service preferred but not required

The following items are required for employment at childcare establishments

• FBI, DOB, and Child Abuse Index fingerprint clearance
• TB clearance, current Health Screening and up to date immunizations
• Beginning in January 1, 2018, Health and Safety code 1596.8662 requires all licensed providers, applicants, directors and employees to complete training as specified on their mandated reporter duties and to renew their training every two years
  • Certificate of completion of the Mandated Reporter training AB1207 and must be renewed every two years. This online training can be completed and accessed at http://childcare.mandatedreporterca.com/
• Basic Pest Management in the School and Child Care Settings Training Certificate
  • This online training can be completed and accessed at https://online2.cce.csus.edu/dpr/login/index.php

Trainings

• Anti-Harassment training (must be completed within 30 days of hire)
• Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Training (Must be completed within 30 days of hire)
• Gender Awareness Training (Must be completed within 30 days of hire)
• Computer Security Awareness
• Must attend monthly required staff training (as scheduled)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a kitchen team
• Knowledge of specific food allergies and preferences of children enrolled

SCHEDULE & WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a year-round part-time position. Hiring for Spring shifts will be completed in Novemeber and December. Staff orientations are scheduled in January prior to shifts beginning on Jan 15.

Regular scheduled shifts are MWF or TTh schedule between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM. Mandatory staff training is held Friday from 4:00-5:30 once a month.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is in a work environment that is frequently busy and has tight workspace. The work environment also involves exposure to various elements including but not limited to: chemicals, dust, blood borne pathogens and other environmental risks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must frequently be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility throughout the entire shift. The employee must be able to frequently use fingers and hands to handle serving equipment, such as plates, tongs, spoons, ladles, etc. The employee must frequently be able to lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds and frequently use upper body strength required. There will be long periods of time standing on their feet and moving around and the employee will occasionally be required to sit, climb, balance, bend at the waist, push or pull, reach above shoulder level, stoop and kneel. Hearing and speaking to exchange information with children, staff and parents; moving quickly and easily from bent to standing; visual scanning to ensure safety of all work in kitchen and surrounding areas is also expected.

RELATIONSHIPS

Inside the Organization

• Reports to the Children's Center Food Services Supervisor and Food Services Assistant

Outside the Organization

• Establishes and maintains working relationships with various A.S. and University departments

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY

Range I, Step I - Starting Rate: $17.75 per hour

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered this position with Associated Students. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current Associated Students employees who apply for the position.

Fingerprinting is required for all employee and volunteer positions that have direct contact with minor children.