Lunch/Recess Aide

Duneland School Corporation; Chesterton (IN); On-site; USD 14,547 - 20,719; Part time

Job summary

A local educational institution is seeking a Lunch/Recess Aide to monitor student behavior during meals and maintain cafeteria cleanliness. The ideal candidate possesses strong organizational skills and effective communication abilities to engage with students and staff positively. Responsibilities include managing meal service, ensuring student safety, and enforcing lunchroom rules. This is a part-time hourly position in Chesterton, Indiana, offering $12.80 per hour.

Qualifications

• Excellent organizational and leadership abilities are essential.
• Must communicate effectively with all ages and personalities.
• Required to understand school and lunchroom rules.

Responsibilities

• Monitor students during meal service and assist them.
• Maintain cleanliness of the cafeteria.
• Communicate professionally with students and staff.
• Manage behavior issues according to established guidelines.
• Enforce lunchroom rules and discipline appropriately.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Position Type: Support Staff / Lunch / Recess Aide

Date Posted: 11/20/2025

Location: Bailly Elementary School

Date Available: when filled

Closing Date: when filled

SUMMARY OF POSITION

A lunch/recess aide is responsible for monitoring student behavior during meal service. They assist with the cleanliness of the cafeteria, with recycling, and with the flow of meal service. The work is performed under the general supervision of the principal with consultation from the Food Services Department. This position will deal with community members, parents, students and staff on a regular basis and will be expected to interact with these publics in a professional, friendly, and organized manner.

Starting hourly rate: $12.80

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Excellent organizational and leadership abilities are required to be a successful lunchroom aide. The candidate must be skilled in communicating with a wide range of ages and personalities, and be able to resolve conflicts fairly to the satisfaction of all participants. Good reading comprehension skills are required to understand school and lunchroom rules. Oral communication abilities are needed to clearly explain rules and regulations. The responsibilities and duties listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Each essential function is mandatory to perform this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Manage students during meal service (behavior problems will be referred to the teacher or principal according to guidelines established by the individual school site).
• Communicate with students and school staff in a positive and professional manner utilizing appropriate customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Circulate throughout the cafeteria or in areas where meals are served and/or eaten, assisting students who need assistance.
• Assist with the cleanliness of the cafeteria.
• Dismiss classes in an orderly manner at the scheduled time.
• Encourage good table manners.
• Use a repertoire of acceptable methods to redirect and control students based on knowledge of student behavior and characteristics.
• Organize tasks efficiently since these aides often have several duties to perform simultaneously.
• Communicate effectively with students, teachers and principals.
• Prior experience working with students and knowledge of first aid is an asset.
• Assist new students in lunchroom orientation.
• Enforce established rules and regulations.
• Assist the teacher and/or nurse in completing student accident reports.
• Communicate discipline problems requiring attention to the appropriate teacher and/or principal.
• Exercise disciplinary procedures consistently and fairly.
• Be trained in Heimlich Maneuver and CPR.
• Function as an appropriate role model for children, providing proper examples, emotional support, and a friendly attitude and general guidance.
• Respond to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving student safety concerns and reporting those concerns to the direct supervisor.
• Keep teachers and principal informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
• Attend after school functions when directed by principal.
• Complete other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the building administrator or administrator designee.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Demonstrate interpersonal skills necessary to deal tactfully and effectively with persons at all levels in order to develop and maintain productive relationships with all publics.
• Work cooperatively with teachers, students, and staff.
• Learn new skills quickly and assimilate into daily work.
• Possess functional reading and writing skills in English.
• Be knowledgeable about meal pattern requirements; understand federal, state, and local program regulations.
• Know proper food safety and sanitation procedures for food service.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality both inside and outside the organization.
• Work independently and in a team environment.
• Multi-task with attention to detail.
• Learn lunchroom and school rules, procedures and expectations and apply them consistently.
• Demonstrate organizational and time management skills.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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 noise level is usually moderate. The employee is protected from outside weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. No environmental hazards indicated for this position.

Equipment: This position requires a working knowledge of all school and cafeteria equipment. A basic knowledge of operations for computers, printers, telephone systems, fax machines and copiers is required.

Hours: No more than 180 days per year. Hours/days may be adjusted per the direct supervisor to assure adequate coverage to meet the demands of the school and job.

Physical Demands: The employee must regularly be able to talk or hear, stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

APPLICATION & EEO STATEMENTS

All applicants must have a current application through our electronic application center at www.duneland.k12.in.us.

The Duneland School Corporation is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity in all employment practices. Candidates will be screened, interviewed and employed based upon the successful candidate's qualifications, background, experience and needs of the Duneland School Corporation. Offers of employment are contingent upon the results of personal background.

Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted individually.