Nutrition Services Assistant (Cook) 7hr (2026-2027)

WASHINGTON; Joliet (IL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Joliet Public Schools District 86 is seeking a Nutrition Services Assistant (Cook) to support meal prep, cooking, serving, and related duties for students and staff in a fast-paced school kitchen.

Responsibilities include cashier duties, food safety, catering support, and ensuring high-quality meals across elementary and junior high programs. Requires a high school diploma, one year of production experience, and sanitation certification within a year.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must have a minimum of one year production experience in a high-volume institutional or commercial food service operation.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of high-volume Institutional food service recipes and production methods.
• Understanding of and ability to properly operate all appropriate kitchen equipment.
• Fluent in Reading, Writing, and Speaking English
• Must either hold a current Will County sanitation certificate or be able to obtain such, within one year of employment.
• Must be able to physically perform all duties associated with the position.
• Must be able to work efficiently and cooperatively with a wide variety of people.

Responsibilities

• Performs duties involved in the safe preparation and handling of food, cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and facilities.
• Practices safety precaution measures in all phases of food service operation.
• Exhibits knowledge of operating all equipment, work techniques, and methods of performing duties.
• Exhibits willingness to work in any situation.
• Preparation and cooking of all pertinent food products for junior high students, elementary students, district faculty, and contract accounts.
• Prepares meals for individual service and packs them in insulated food transporters for delivery to elementary schools.
• Preparation and service of catered events within the district.
• Follows all recipe and production procedures to ensure the highest quality product.
• Follows all mandated procedures to ensure safe handling of food products.
• Serves meals to junior high students, faculty, and staff in the school cafeteria.
• Assumes cashier duties as assigned, following procedures for proper distribution of Type A meals, ensuring proper accounting of various meal categories.
• Maintains proper sanitary conditions in production and serving areas as instructed.
• Any cleaning as directed to include dishwashing, equipment cleaning, sweeping and wet mopping as necessary.
• Heavy lifting, bending, and prolonged periods of standing are required.
• Must be able to work in extreme conditions and able to withstand temperature fluctuations.
• Must be able to work cohesively and communicate effectively under stressful conditions.
• Maintains positive customer relations with students, faculty, and staff.
• All other duties as assigned by the Director of Nutrition Services and/or designee.

Skills

English fluency

Physical ability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Nutrition Services Assistant (Cook) 7hr (2026-2027)

Joliet Public Schools District 86 WASHINGTON - JOLIET, Illinois Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in D86

Job Details

Job ID: 5942215
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Sep 28, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

POSITION: NUTRITION SERVICE ASSISTANT (Cook)

POSITION GUIDE: Non–Certified Personnel

Full–Time 6 Hours or more

Bargaining Unit

Non–Exempt

9 Months

FUNCTION:

Under the supervision of the Unit Supervisor and /or Assistant Unit Supervisor, the Food Service Assistant must be efficient in the preparation of high-quality meals for District #86 students and staff and affiliated organizations. This will include preparation and cooking of meals, packing meals for transport, serving meals to junior high school students and staff, cashier duty, dishwashing, sweeping, mopping, and catering as required.

Salary and Benefits: In accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between the Board of School Inspectors of School District 86, SCHOOL-RELATED PERSONNEL COUNCIL AFT-Local 604 found on the following link: Support Union Contract

*Maximum 5 years full-time Experience

REPORTS TO: Director of Nutrition Services

Nutrition Services Coordinator

Nutrition Services Supervisor

RELATES TO: School Principal

Assistant Principal

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED program.
• Must have a minimum of one year production experience in a high-volume institutional or commercial food service operation.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of high-volume Institutional food service recipes and production methods.
• Understanding of and ability to properly operate all appropriate kitchen equipment.
• Fluent in Reading, Writing, and Speaking English
• Must either hold a current Will County sanitation certificate or be able to obtain such, within one year of employment.
• Must be able to physically perform all duties associated with the position.
• Must be able to work efficiently and cooperatively with a wide variety of people.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs duties involved in the safe preparation and handling of food, cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and facilities.
• Practices safety precaution measures in all phases of food service operation.
• Exhibits knowledge of operating all equipment, work techniques, and methods of performing duties.
• Exhibits willingness to work in any situation.
• Preparation and cooking of all pertinent food products required for:
  • Junior High Students
  • Elementary Students
  • District Faculty
  • Contract Accounts
• Prepares meals for individual service and packs them in insulated food transporters for delivery to elementary schools.
• Preparation and service of catered events within the district.
• Follows all recipe and production procedures as instructed to ensure the highest quality product.
• Follows all mandated procedures to ensure safe handling of food products.
• Serves meals to junior high students, faculty, and staff in the school cafeteria.
• Assumes cashier duties as assigned, following procedures for proper distribution of Type A meals, ensuring proper accounting of various meal categories.
• Maintains proper sanitary conditions in production and serving areas as instructed.
• Any cleaning as directed to include, dishwashing, equipment cleaning, sweeping and wet mopping as necessary.
• Heavy lifting, bending, and prolonged periods of standing are required.
• Must be able to work in extreme conditions and able to withstand temperature fluctuations.
• Must be able to work cohesively and communicate effectively under stressful conditions.
• Maintains positive customer relations with students, faculty, and staff.
• All other duties as assigned by the Director of Nutrition Services and/or designee.

The information contained in this job description complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties performed by the individual holding this position may be assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Exposed to heat from ovens, burners and steam trays; exposed to cutting and slicing equipment and machines with moving parts; required to stand for prolonged periods; required to move heavy supplies and full pans of food weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; exposed to high noise levels from kitchen equipment and students at meals; required to wear protective clothing; may need to take precautions to avoid exposure to cleaners and fumes; potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students.

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.

Employee will have frequent interruptions; required to meet inflexible deadlines; requires concentration and attention to detail.

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Categories:

Support Staff > Food Service

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• JOSE JARAMILLO , ASSIST. SUPERINTENDENT OF HR
• JPS DISTRICT 86
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]