School Lunchroom Helper (2615/Temporary Exempt) 2026-2027

Sylvania; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is seeking a School Lunchroom Helper to support daily kitchen operations, assist in meal preparation, and serve students with a focus on safety and quality. The role reports to the School Lunchroom Supervisor within the Student Nutrition Services Department.

The position emphasizes adherence to food safety regulations, accurate record-keeping, and courteous customer service, with responsibilities spanning from food prep to POS transactions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Six months of routine kitchen work experience including use of a computer and POS software.
• Current Food Safety certification is required and must be maintained.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and heats a variety of foods following standard menus and recipes.
• Maintains sanitary conditions and adheres to SFUSD food safety standards.
• Serves food to students and staff with courteous service.
• Maintains professional communication with students, staff, and faculty.
• Follows FIFO inventory procedures and maintains kitchen records.
• Operates dishwashing equipment and cleans kitchen areas and utensils.
• Uses POS system to process transactions and track meal eligibility.
• Completes required forms/logs and participates in trainings.
• Performs additional related duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Food safety

Teamwork

Communication

POS software

Education

High school diploma

Food Safety Certification

Tools

POS system

Kitchen equipment

Computer basics

Job description

Job Class: 2615

Salary Range: $23.66 - $33.07/hourly

Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt (TEX/1040>=)

Length of Appointment: Regularly Scheduled

Calendar: Must be able to cover any shift from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m

Location: Must be available to work any shift at any San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) school site.

Who We Are

With an annual budget of $1.17 billion, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is California's seventh-largest school district, serving over 50,000 students who speak more than 44 documented languages across 130 schools. We aim for all SFUSD students to graduate as independent thinkers with a sense of agency, equipped with academic and creative skills to lead productive lives and contribute to our community.

Overview of the Position

As a School Lunchroom Helper, you will report to the School Lunchroom Supervisor and be a part of the Student Nutrition Services Department, helping to ensure high standards in food preparation, food safety, and customer service. You will play a vital role in delivering nutritious and appealing meals to students, while supporting the overall health and well-being of the school community.

Responsibilities

Under general supervision, the School Lunchroom Helper supports daily operations in school kitchens by assisting in the preparation and serving of a variety of food items, maintaining sanitary conditions, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. This position requires the ability to follow established procedures, maintain accurate records, and communicate effectively with students, staff, and faculty. The work involves significant physical effort, exposure to kitchen-related hazards, and occasional contact with unpleasant conditions.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares and heats a variety of food items such as salads, sandwiches, soups, grain and noodle dishes, and bagged lunches following standard menus and recipes
• Ensures meals are appetizing, nutritious, and in accordance with SFUSD’s Student Nutrition Program standards
• Serves food to students and staff in a courteous and efficient manner.
• Maintains high standards of customer service and professional communication (both verbal and written)
• Upholds strict food safety and sanitation practices, including compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines
• Practices FIFO (First-In, First-Out) inventory management procedures
• Maintains cleanliness of kitchen, storage areas, equipment, and utensils; sanitizes work surfaces, tables, and floors
• Operates dishwashing equipment and hand-washes kitchen tools and serving trays as required
• Uses Point of Sale (POS) system to process transactions, identify reimbursable meals, and maintain student confidentiality regarding meal eligibility
• Completes necessary software procedures including logging in/out, entering cash totals, and troubleshooting system errors with guidance from technical support
• Maintains accurate documentation and completes required forms and logs as assigned by the supervisor
• Participates in staff meetings and mandatory training sessions
• Performs additional related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent
• Experience: Requires six (6) months of routine kitchen work experience including use of a computer and point of sale software
• License/Certification: Requires possession and maintenance of a current Food Safety certification

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

• Knowledge of approved food handling practices, food preparation and use of cafeteria equipment; and food and supply ordering, receiving and inventory control
• Skills to operate basic office equipment including computer, peripherals, telephone
• Ability to do the various tasks of a kitchen
• Meet work schedules and timelines
• Work under pressure of deadlines and interruptions
• Keep records as required; add, subtract, multiply, and divide accurately
• Work cooperatively with others
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Operate a Point of Sale system independently

Who We Want

When you join our team at SFUSD, you can expect to be part of a collaborative, inclusive, and equity-oriented organization that is intensely focused on achieving our student outcome goals. We want talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who are committed to and will champion our Core Values, are inspired by our mission, steeped in equity, and motivated to unleash our students’ potential. We want strong collaborators, skilled communicators, and problem solvers comfortable in a continuous learning community.

What We Offer

SFUSD offers a competitive rate of $22.29 - $31.17 / hourly commensurate with experience in a similar position. We offer a comprehensive benefits plan including dental and vision plans, a defined benefit pension plan, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options and vacation time. We also offer an inclusive and equity-centered environment where we encourage staff to bring their whole selves to work

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note

Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification from this and future job opportunities with the San Francisco Unified School District.

Non-Discrimination Policy

San Francisco Unified School District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This policy extends to the San Francisco County Office of Education, including community school programs and activities.

For more information about the District's non-discrimination policy, please review Board Policy 4030.