Kitchen Helper (ECC) - Food Service (AFSCME)

LAKE SHORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; Saint Clair Shores (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Lake Shore Public Schools is seeking a Kitchen Helper to support daily food preparation and kitchen operations at the Early Childhood Center. The role involves stock, prep, and cleaning duties while promoting safe, hygienic food service for students.

The schedule runs Monday through Friday from 9:45 AM to 1:45 PM. Candidates should be ready to work in a fast-paced environment, follow hygiene guidelines, and assist with inventory and food safety practices.

Qualifications

• Experience in a school or food service environment preferred.
• Basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Ability to follow hygiene and uniform guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to Hygiene and Uniform Guidelines at all times.
• Assist with stock on delivery days.
• Attend to dishes and stock; participate in monthly inventory.
• Check the prep list and complete items needing to be done.
• Complete weekly cleaning projects.
• Participate in daily kitchen stock rotation, especially fresh produce.
• Assist with soft serve ice cream and clean the machine daily.
• Adhere to safety pledge policies.
• Develop mise en place and knife techniques; wear cut resistant gloves.
• Work as a team with colleagues, administration, students, and/or customers.
• Attend additional training and meetings as required; retrieve missed information.

Job description

Summary

The Kitchen Helper position at Lake Shore Public Schools - Early Childhood Center offers an opportunity to support the nutritional needs of students by assisting with daily food preparation and kitchen operations. This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy working in a fast-paced kitchen environment and have a passion for promoting healthy eating habits among students. The Kitchen Helper will assist with stock, prep, and cleaning duties while maintaining a safe and hygienic food service environment.

Work Schedule

9:45 AM to 1:45 PM - Monday-Friday

Responsibilities

• Adhere to all Hygiene and Uniform Guidelines at all times.
• Assist with stock on delivery days.
• Attend to dishes and stock as needed; participate in monthly inventory.
• Check the prep list and complete items needing to be done.
• Complete cleaning projects assigned weekly.
• Participate in daily kitchen stock rotation, particularly fresh produce.
• Assist with soft serve ice cream and clean the machine daily.
• Adhere to all "safety pledge" policies.
• Develop mise en place.
• Utilize appropriate knife techniques; must wear "cut resistant" glove.
• Work as a team with colleagues, administration, students, and/or customers.
• Attend additional training and meetings as required; retrieve missed information.
• Complete required daily charts, including food production records, cooler temperature logs (milk & double), and cashier cash charts.
• Perform other duties as assigned or changed to meet the needs of the district.
• No personal cell phone or earbud use permitted during working shift hours.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience in food service or a related field is a plus but not required.
• ServSafe Certification preferred but not required.
• Basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must pass a background check and any required health screenings.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to the full length of a shift.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds regularly, and occasionally lift heavier items with assistance.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and kneel to access supplies, ovens, and storage areas.
• Manual dexterity to operate kitchen equipment such as slicers, mixers, ovens, and dishwashers.
• Tolerance for exposure to varying kitchen temperatures, including heat from ovens/stoves and cold from walk-in coolers/freezers.
• Ability to work around hot surfaces, sharp tools, and cleaning chemicals while following proper safety precautions.
• Ability to stand on tile or non-slip flooring for extended periods, sometimes in wet conditions.
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to monitor food safety, equipment operation, and student needs.

ADA / Reasonable Accommodation Note:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.