Lunchroom Attendant

Chicago Public Schools; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A large public school district in Chicago is looking for a Lunchroom Attendant to assist in food preparation and sanitation in the school environment. Responsibilities include preparing meals, maintaining hygiene standards, and ensuring proper food storage. Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED and one year of work experience. The position requires the ability to lift up to 25 lbs frequently and perform kitchen-related tasks. Join a mission-driven team dedicated to providing equitable food access to students.

Qualifications

• Must be able to handle all types of food.
• Minimum of 1 year of professional work experience.
• Required to lift or exert force of twenty-five (25) lbs.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and serving of food.
• Responsible for washing, peeling, cutting, and chopping ingredients.
• Cleans and sanitizes food service equipment.

Skills

Ability to follow oral and written instructions in English

Basic math skills

Basic skills in the use and care of kitchen utensils

Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Tools

Basic food service equipment

Job description

Posting Date

Aug 25, 2025, 2:01:29 PM

Primary Location

Position Type: Union Position

Overtime Status

Non-exempt

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world‑class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student‑centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

Nutrition Support Services (NSS) offers all CPS students breakfast, lunch, and, at select schools, after‑school meals at no charge. Meals are offered every school day, during Saturday school programs, and during the summer. Meals comply with nutrition standards set forth in the USDA’s Child Nutrition Program meal patterns.

Job Summary:

Under immediate supervision, the Lunchroom Attendant assists in the preparation and serving of food and the sanitation of food service facilities and equipment; and performs related duties as required.

The Lunchroom Attendant will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Responsible for following the departmental personal hygiene requirements and HACCP sanitation and safety guidelines.
• Operates, cleans, and sanitizes food service equipment.
• Opens cans and packages.
• Responsible for washing, peeling, cutting, chopping, mixing, weighing, and determining portions of ingredients.
• Sets up and restocks serving areas.
• Attends all meetings, workshops, and training as scheduled.
• Scrapes and washes dishes and trays, washing, pots, pans, and utensils.
• Cleans and sanitizes countertops, work areas, storage areas, lunchroom tables and food service equipment. Washes walls as high as he/she can reach without standing on anything.
• Sweeps and mops floors.
• Breaks down boxes and disposes of them in a designated area.
• Assists with placing food items in proper storage area.
• Serves food to customers using proper utensils using correct portion sizes, while demonstrating a professional demeanor at all times.
• Participates in detail cleaning as warranted.
• Attends all training sessions to meet USDA mandated training hour requirements.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Lunchroom Attendant must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required

• High school diploma or GED equivalent is preferred.

Experience Required

• Minimum of 1 year of professional work experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions in English and willingness to perform essential functions of the job.
• Must have basic math skills and be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and use fractions. Must be able to handle all types of food.
• Basic skills in the use and care of kitchen utensils, basic food service equipment, and performing sanitation duties.

Physical Requirements/Physical Demands

• Required to lift or exert force of twenty‑five (25) lbs. frequently and forty (40) lbs. occasionally, or ten (10) to twenty‑five (25) lbs. frequently, or up to ten (10) lbs. constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time, stoop, crouch, climb, bend, reach, handle and finger objects.
• Must be able to taste and smell in order to identify flavors and odors and exercise frequent use of near visual acuity with the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
• Must be able to work in environments with some temperature extremes.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency – Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

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