Sioux Falls Residential and School Kitchen Assistant

Children; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

HSA options

Life insurance

AD&D

Job summary

Children’s Home Society of South Dakota is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to help prepare and serve nutritious meals for children and staff in a clean, orderly kitchen. You will assist with food prep, dishwashing, and proper labeling and storage of leftovers in accordance with food safety standards.

You will monitor temperatures, document appliance readings, and ensure a safe, welcoming dining area. The role emphasizes teamwork, reliability, and adherence to regulatory guidelines while upholding

Qualifications

• Team player who promotes a positive work environment.
• Effective communication with colleagues, clients, and the public.
• Demonstrates professionalism, kindness, and respect in interactions.
• Handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and dependable.
• Supports and embodies our mission, vision, and values.
• Values and respects diverse cultural backgrounds of employees and clients.

Responsibilities

• Assist with food preparation and meal service for children and staff.
• Wash dishes, pots, pans, trays, and kitchen equipment; maintain sanitation.
• Label, date, and store leftovers per food safety standards; monitor temperatures.
• Record temperatures for refrigerators/freezers and dishwashing equipment.
• Help ensure meals are served in a safe, healthy, welcoming environment.

Skills

Team player

Effective communication

Professionalism and respect

Discretion with sensitive information

Organized and dependable

Mission alignment

Cultural sensitivity

Job description

Description

About the Company

Children’s Home Society of South Dakota is the oldest nonprofit human services organization in South Dakota and a recognized leader in compassionate, trauma-informed care. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and belonging while providing life-changing services that strengthen children, families, and communities.

When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly matters. Every day offers an opportunity to make a positive impact, whether through a kind interaction, a supportive gesture, or the care you provide. The smiles you create, the encouragement you offer, and the lives you touch will reflect the meaningful difference you make in helping children and families thrive.

Position Overview

As a Kitchen Assistant, you won’t simply be helping prepare meals. You will have the opportunity to be part of one of the best moments of a child’s day by supporting the preparation and service of nutritious, high-quality meals and snacks for children and on-duty staff. In this role, you will assist with food preparation and meal service, wash dishes, pots, pans, trays, and kitchen equipment, remove kitchen waste, and help maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment. You will also be responsible for properly covering, labeling, dating, and storing leftovers in accordance with food safety standards. A strong commitment to cleanliness, personal hygiene, and regulatory compliance is essential, as you will assist with monitoring and recording food temperatures during meal service and documenting refrigerator, freezer, and dishwashing machine temperatures. Your attention to detail and dedication to food safety will help ensure every meal is served in a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for the children and staff we serve.

Competitive Compensation

Minimum of $20 an hour.

Requirements

What Makes You a Great Fit

• You are a team player who promotes a positive work environment.
• You communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, and the public.
• You demonstrate professionalism, kindness, and respect in your interactions.
• You can handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• You are organized, detail-oriented, and dependable.
• You support and embody our mission, vision, and values.
• You value and respect the diverse cultural backgrounds of employees and clients.

Preferred Requirements

• Ability to follow food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Experience in quantity food production preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required food handler certifications.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Requires standing for extended periods of time. Exposure to tools, utensils, equipment, and cleaning materials, requiring attentive and safe utilization.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Work-Life Balance

Enjoy a consistent 40-hour workweek with alternating weekends.

Benefits Worth Up to 30% of Your Salary

• Choose from two health insurance plans, plus dental, vision, HSA options, employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, long-term disability, and voluntary coverage options.

Student Loan & Tuition Support

• Receive up to $200 per month in tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment assistance.

Generous Paid Time Off

• Recharge with a generous PTO package, 10 paid holidays, and a paid Day of Service to give back to your community.

Retirement Contributions from Day One of Eligibility

• Receive a 3% employer contribution every pay period plus the potential for an additional 5% annual contribution. Employees become fully vested after four years of credited service.

Employee Referral Bonuses

• Earn up to $1,000 for referring great people to join our team.

Join us at Children’s Home Society and truly "Work for Good" every day, helping to change the world one child, one family, and one smile at a time.

Must successfully complete all required background and pre-employment checks EEO/AA.