Nutrition Services Assistant

Ortingschools; United States; On-site; USD 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plan

Retirement plan

Job summary

Ortingschools is seeking a School Kitchen Assistant to support daily food service operations in a district kitchen. You will prep ingredients, monitor inventories, and assist with cashier duties while upholding health and safety standards. The role requires physical activity and teamwork with staff and students.

Expect a 6.5-hour day from 5:30 am to 12:30 pm, 180-day school year, with a salary range per the 2026-27 PSE schedule. Benefits eligibility varies by hours worked.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; school food service experience preferred.
• Possess a current food handlers card.
• May require a valid State of Washington driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily operations in a school kitchen to support site-based food service.
• Prepare ingredients for menu items and manage Friday prep tasks.
• Maintain production records, temperature logs, inventory, and cash handling reports for compliance.
• Clean and sanitize kitchen utensils and equipment; ensure health standards.
• Label and date items using FIFO and manage storage.
• Handle kitchen laundry, trash removal, and equipment maintenance.
• Monitor daily inventory and order supplies as needed.
• Serve as cashier when required and process transactions accurately.

Skills

Lift 50 lb

Cash handling

Stoop & climb

Student interaction

Computer skills

Academic testing

Education

High school diploma

Job description

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT:

Assist in preparing and serving meals, clean up, and related food service duties as required.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Understand and support the educational environment and the District's mission, vision, and Strategic Plan.
• Model appropriate and cooperative behavior while fostering and maintaining strong and productive relationships with District employees, community members, and identified stakeholders.
• Participate in professional growth activities and reflect and respond to suggestions for professional improvement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job description is intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of the job incumbents. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

• Performs daily operations in a school kitchen, which includes various tasks to support smooth and efficient site-based food service.

Organizes and oversees site-based food preparation, including prepping ingredients for menu items (e.g., cleaning, chopping, cooking, defrosting, setting up carts, restocking), and ensures familiarity with the upcoming week's menu to effectively complete Friday prep tasks.

Maintains accurate records such as production details, temperature logs, inventory, and cash handling report to ensure compliance with food safety and recordkeeping standards.

Cleans, sanitizes, and maintains kitchen utensils, equipment, and dishes to meet health and safety standards.

Labels and dates items using the "first in, first out" method for proper refrigerator and freezer storage.

Handles kitchen laundry, removes trash, and maintains cleanliness of kitchen equipment (e.g., descaling equipment, sanitizing hot holding wells).

Monitor daily inventory levels of fresh produce, ensuring adequate stock by ordering adequate quantities to meet customer needs.

Works as a cashier in a school kitchen and/or snack bar, as needed, including verifying customer identity, accurately processing customer transactions (credit and cash), and providing accurate change.

Perform other job-related duties as requested.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to lift up to fifty pounds (50 lb.).
• Experience in handling money and operating a cash register preferred.
• Ability to stoop and climb as necessary.
• Ability to relate to students, staff and parents.
• Ability to operate computers and copiers.
• Achieve minimum acceptable levels/scores in reading, writing, math, and technology assessments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent. Previous school food service experience in quantity cooking preferred.

REQUIRED LICENSES/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possess a current food handlers card.
• May be required to have a valid State of Washington Driver's license.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Work Year: 180 days, regular school year (plus paid holidays that fall within the school year)
• Paid Hours: 6.50 hours per day, Monday - Friday
• Schedule: 5:30 am - 12:30pm (includes a 30-minute duty free lunch) Hours may be adjusted to coordinate with students' lunches
• Salary: 2026-27 PSE Salary Schedule A ($22.33 - $26.53 DOE)

REPORTS TO:

Director of Nutrition Services

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Job duties involve sitting, walking, standing, stooping, crouching and climbing. May be exposed to high noise levels. May be required to deal with distraught students. Work is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

BENEFITS:

• Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours an employee is anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Employees anticipated to work630 hours or more in a year are eligible forthe following benefits:medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, long-term disability and the employee assistance program.
• Other benefits include VEBA, whichis a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) and serves as a way to contribute dollars on a pre-tax basis for out of pocket benefits costs, whether it be for medical, dental or vision premiums, or any other out of pocket medical expenses. This benefit is available, based on the outcome of annual voting of employees by group.

The district's healthcare benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board ( SEBB ). Benefit eligible employees also qualify to optionally participate in deferred compensation/403B plans, dependent care flexible spending/health savings accounts, and additional life insurance and/or added long-term disability coverage through employee contributions. Sick leave, vacation, personal leave, and any paid holidays are aligned with bargaining agreements by association, as listed on our website.

The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills, or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. The District reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Orting School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, marital status, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination and their offices are located at 121 Whitesell St NE, Orting, WA 98360:

Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX/ADA Coordinator

Carrie Joy, Director of Human Resources

360-893-6500, ext. 4028

[e-mail]

Section 504 Coordinator

Dr. Jennifer Westover, Executive Director for Student Support Services

360-893-6500, ext. 4027

[e-mail]

Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint can be accessed here .

Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights .