Kitchen Helper (KMS) - Food Service (AFSCME)

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

Job summary

Lake Shore Public Schools' Kennedy Middle School is seeking a Kitchen Helper to support daily food prep and kitchen operations, ensuring safe, hygienic service for students.

You will assist with stock, prep, cleaning, and inventory, follow hygiene guidelines, and work 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM, Monday through Friday, in a fast-paced school kitchen.

No advanced certifications required, but basic food safety knowledge and dependable teamwork are valued; background check may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Experience in food service 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.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must pass a background check and any health screenings.

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.
• Complete cleaning projects weekly.
• 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.
• Utilize knife techniques; wear cut-resistant gloves.
• Work as a team with colleagues, administration, students, and customers.
• Attend additional training and meetings; retrieve missed information.
• Complete daily charts and logs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• No personal cell phone during shift.

Skills

Clear communication

Teamwork

Multitasking

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Summary

The Kitchen Helper (American Classics/Sono Server) position at Lake Shore Public Schools - Kennedy Middle School 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

8:00 AM to 1:30 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.