Nutrition Services - 1st Helper - Columbia River Elementary

Nutrition Services Inc.; Pasco (WA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Nutrition Services Inc. is seeking a 1st Helper for Columbia River Elementary in Pasco, WA. The position supports cooking, serving, and sanitation under the Unit Manager, helping maintain a clean, compliant kitchen environment.

The role requires lifting up to 40 pounds, working five hours daily, Monday through Friday, as part of a 180-day year. Salary ranges from $21.24 to $21.67 per hour, with degree-based extra pay for AA/BA credentials.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid WA Department of Health Food Worker’s Card.
• Basic arithmetic; operate kitchen equipment; adjust recipes for quantity.
• Know health codes, sanitation, and nutrition requirements.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and stand for long periods.
• Follow oral and written instructions clearly.
• Communicate well with staff, students, and patrons.
• Maintain safe work practices and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated punctuality and reliable attendance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation, serving, storage and disposal of food; keep dining/kitchen areas sanitary.
• Prepare food and beverages to meet nutritional requirements.
• Cook and bake to meet meal projections.
• Estimate amounts; manage leftovers and waste.
• Open cans, prep vegetables; inspect orders for accuracy and safety.
• Wash dishes; maintain supply levels and stock.
• May set up and sell a la carte and bag lunches.
• Support student/volunteer supervision to perform duties safely.

Skills

Cashier

Oral and written instructions

Customer service

Staff collaboration

Food service sanitation

Health codes knowledge

Team leadership (assistants/volunteers

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

WA Food Worker’s Card

Serv Safe Certification (desirable)

Job description

Nutrition Services - 1st Helper - Columbia River Elementary

Pasco School District 1 Nutrition Services - Pasco, Washington Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5948954
Application Deadline: Oct 09, 2026 4:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
Posted: Oct 02, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

PASCO SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1

1215 WEST LEWIS ST

PASCO, WASHINGTON 99301

PHONE [phone]

Open Date: 10/2/2026

Application Deadline/Close Date: 10/9/2026 at 4:00pm

POSITION: Nutrition Services- 1st Helper

LOCATION: Columbia River Elementary

SCHEDULE: 5.00 hours per day, Monday through Friday

180 day work year

SALARY: $21.24 - $21.67 per hour

AA Degree - $.50 per hour extra/

BA Degree $.75 per hour extra

NEW HIRES ARE CONDITIONAL UPON PASSING A FINGERPRINT SCREENING

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: (Qualifications which are essential to the position)

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid State of Washington Department of Health Food Worker’s Card
• Skills to perform basic arithmetic calculations, operate and care for institutional kitchen equipment, adjust recipes to various quantity demands, and use standard office equipment
• Knowledge of modern methods of food preparation, health codes, sanitation principles and nutritional requirements
• Ability to lift and move 40 pounds
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods. Significant physical abilities include lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling/balancing/reaching/handling/hearing/near visual acuity/depth perception
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with staff, students and patrons
• Ability to follow safe work practices and procedures
• Demonstrated exemplary customer service and responsiveness
• Ability to establish and maintain professional, cooperative working relationships
• Must work within designated bounds of authority and confidentiality
• Demonstrated punctuality and an excellent work attendance record

QUALIFICATIONS DESIRED: (Qualifications that would be useful to the position)

• Ability to cashier
• Serv Safe Certified, completed a 10 hour food safety and sanitation class

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The kitchen helper will assist in the preparing, cooking, baking, and distributing of food for consumption by students and school personnel, under the general supervision of the Unit Manager. This person will be responsible for maintaining facilities in a sanitary condition that meets health inspection requirements.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Assist in preparation, serving, storage and disposal of food; daily clean dining, kitchen areas and equipment for the purpose of maintaining sanitary conditions and to comply with health regulations
• Prepare food and beverage items in order to meet mandated nutritional and projected meal requirements
• Cook and bake foods, pre-made or from scratch, for the purpose of meeting projected meal requirements
• Estimate food preparation amounts, store and/or dispose of unused food to meet meal and waste requirements
• Open cans, apportion contents, wash and prepare vegetables for cooking
• Inspects food and/or supplies for the purpose or verifying quantity and specifications of orders and/or complying with mandated health requirements
• Wash dishes, utensils, pots and pans, clean tables and chairs and food service area; replenish food and condiment containers for the purpose of maintaining adequate quantities and security of items
• May set up and sell a la carte and bag lunches
• May lead work of students and/or volunteers for the purpose of assisting them to perform their functionsin a safe and efficient manner
• Report equipment malfunctions in order to maintain a safe working environment
• Respond to inquiries of students, staff, and/or public for providing information regarding food items
• Assist with year-end closure by cleaning up stock inventories, requesting food and supplies for the next year
• Prepare documentation for the purpose of providing written support and/or conveying information
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Unit Manager, Food Service Supervisor or Assistant Supervisor

Letters and applications received after closing date will only be accepted and screened if the position remains unfilled .

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION: Pasco School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be addressed to the following designated employees: Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator-Jen Johnson, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco, WA 9930, 509-543-6700, [e-mail] ; and Sec. 504 Coordinator-Kristi Docken, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco, WA 99301, 509-543-6700, [e-mail] .

Position Type: Continuing

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Nutrition Services
• Phone: [phone]