School Nutrition Assistant III

James K. Polk Elementary School; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

James K. Polk Elementary School in Alexandria, VA is hiring a School Nutrition Assistant III to lead cashier and food-prep duties, assist management, and train staff. The role supports daily nutrition operations and ensures accurate record-keeping and safe, nutritious meal preparation.

The position is full-time with a schedule roughly 5:30am–2:30pm, offering hourly pay in the published range and requiring ServSafe and NVCFM certifications along with a high school diploma.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• ServSafe and NVCFM certifications are required.
• Job related experience is desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead cashier, prep/production and food-service duties as assigned; provide guidance to others.
• Assist management in the absence of the manager/assistant manager.
• Train new employees with the manager.
• Arrange and display food items for students and staff.
• Prepare reports and help maintain documentation per regulations.
• Stock and inventory refrigerated and frozen groceries.
• Clean utensils, equipment and work areas to maintain sanitation.
• Collect payments and ensure accurate cash handling.

Skills

Cash handling

Lead/ supervise

Inventory control

Team leadership

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

ServSafe

NVCFM

Job description

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

The School Nutrition Assistant III assists the school food service team in the preparation, serving, and cleanup of nutritious, appealing meals and works with the manager in maintaining documentation of daily record keeping/or financial daily record keeping for specific department.

This (1.0) position is 7.75 hours/day, 187 days per year, with the Food & Nutrition Services team, located atJames K. Polk Elementary School, with a schedule between the hours of 5:30am and 2:30pm

Qualifications:

• Education:A High School diploma or equivalent.
• Certificates & Licenses:ServSafe; NVCFM
• Experience:Job related experience is desired.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as lead cashier, produce/baker, or prep/production employee as assigned by manager. Provide leadership to other employees in assigned area.
• Assist with management responsibilities in the absence of the manager/assistant manager.
• Work with manager/assistant manager to train new employees.
• Arranges food and beverage items (e.g. placing in steam tables, displaying, filling racks, transport food carts to classrooms, etc.) for students and staff.
• Assists in promoting the food services program to ensure food service programs are self-supporting.
• Assists in the preparation of a variety of lunchroom-related reports (e.g. bank deposits, production sheets,temperature sheets, etc.) in compliance with established regulations.
• Assists with stocking and inventorying refrigerated and frozen groceries.
• Cleans utensils, equipment, and the storage, food preparation and serving areas to maintain sanitaryconditions.
• Collects payments for food items (e.g. cash, eligible meal recipients, etc.).
• Cooks food, prepares and/or from scratch, to meet projected meal requirements.
• Documents waste (e.g. left overs, unsanitary food items, spoilage, etc.) in compliance with state andfederal regulations.
• Inspects food items and/or supplies to verify quantity and specifications of orders in compliance withmandated health requirements.
• Loads carts and delivers meals to classrooms as assigned.
• Monitors kitchen and cafeteria areas to ensure a safe working environment.
• Monitors temperatures (e.g. freezer, refrigerator, hot food, etc.) to ensure safe storing and serving offood items in compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Prepares food and beverage items to meet mandated nutritional requirements and projected mealrequirements.
• Receives supplies and food items to ensure adequate supplies to meet mandated nutritionalrequirements.
• Reconciles cash transactions and item counts to balance financial and daily inventory accounts.
• Responds to inquiries from various parties to provide information and/or refer to appropriate personnel.
• Serves food items to meet mandated nutritional requirements and/or requests of students and schoolpersonnel.
• Stocks food, condiments and supplies to maintain adequate quantities and security of items.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Lifting ability of 50 pounds or more.

Compensation:

• Hourly wage,$18.08to$21.59an hour (Additional factors in calculation, including hours, # of days, etc.)
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt position - This position is classified as non-exempt, meaning it is eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.
• Public Health Compliance -Must follow safety and health protocols.

Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $26,202.44 to $31,289.30 School Nutrition Services SUP-03

Job Details

Job ID: 5953075
Application Deadline: Nov 02, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted: Oct 07, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)
Starting Date: Immediately

Contact Information

• Gina Green
• Central Office - ACPS
• Email: [e-mail]