Standby Senior Cook, Food & Nutrition Services

Boston Public Schools; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 52,762,000 - 71,360,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Public Schools is hiring a Standby Senior Cook to support Food & Nutrition Services. This full-time role covers coverage across schools, preparing meals, maintaining safety, and assisting with records. Travel is required to locations citywide in Boston.

The position requires one year in institutional food service, a high school diploma or GED, and a Food Safety Certification for Managers. Salary is listed at $21.67 per hour with full-time benefits.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in institutional food service.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Food Safety Certification for Managers.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals in large-scale settings following recipes.
• Maintain safety, cleanliness and sanitation of kitchen areas.
• Assist with production records and meal counts.
• Travel to schools and kitchens as needed for coverage.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and portion food accurately.
• Provide strong customer service to students and staff.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Standby Senior Cook, Food & Nutrition Services

Boston Public Schools Central Office - Food & Nutrition Services - Boston, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Boston Public Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5307544
Application Deadline: Dec 30, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted: Jul 28, 2025 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

General Information

Job Title: Standby Senior Cook

FTE: 8 hr/day

Grade: 3

Job Code: _____

REPORTS TO: Assistant Director Operations

District & Department Overview:

Founded in 1647, Boston Public Schools (BPS) is the oldest public school district in the country. With approximately 49,000 students from over 114 different countries, nearly 8,000 employees, and an annual budget of $973 million, the BPS is the largest district in Massachusetts and one of the most diverse as well.

Currently BPS has 125 schools with two different food service delivery models. The majority of schools have full service kitchens with a full time cafeteria manager and subordinate staff. The remaining schools and programs are satellite sites receiving meals from a consolidated production facility. The district serves approximately 17,000 breakfasts, 25,000 lunches, and 2,100 after school meals per day. During the summer months BPS serves roughly 22,000 meals at sites all over the city. BPS has been approved for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP); which enables the district to provide free meals to all Boston students.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Boston Public Schools and Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) are seeking a Standby Senior Cook who is dependable, flexible, accountable, confident and works well with others. The Standby Senior Cook is a full time position assigned to FNS Central Office. The Standby Senior Cook will be deployed to schools and kitchens on an as needed basis to provide coverage for a vacant Senior Cook or Prep Cook. This is an exciting opportunity for student and food service centered individuals who wish to gain experience in different schools and kitchens across the District. This unique opportunity includes placements in our schools and kitchens that need your help the most.

The Standby Senior Cook is responsible for creating a welcoming meal experience for students through the safe preparation, handling, cooking, and service of food in large scale quantities; providing customer service, cleaning the kitchen and associated food service equipment, and assisting with record keeping. A Standby Senior Cook evaluates food for quality, quantity, appearance, temperature and taste.

The position requires travel to all neighborhoods in the City of Boston. Location may vary daily.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs duties involved in the safe preparation and handling of food, cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and facilities, and serving of food.
• Maintains knowledge of the standard methods, techniques, safety practices and procedures used in food handling, storage, preparation, cooking and serving.
• Safely prepares food in quantities following standard recipes and established procedures; adjusts recipe yield as needed to produce required amounts.
• Reads and uses computer generated standard menus and recipes to prepare meals.
• Evaluates food for quality, quantity, appearance, temperature and taste through observation and tasting in order to determine if it is fresh, properly portioned and prepared correctly.
• Operates kitchen equipment properly and in a safe manner to portion and/or prepare food.
• Transports food to and from service areas.
• Assists kitchen personnel in proper portion control, preparation and meal service.
• Sets up the serving line and serves meals
• Ensures cleaning and sanitizing of cooking equipment and work areas.
• Completes Production Records, inventory sheets, meal counts and other department paperwork.
• Communicates with Culinary team and Cafeteria manager regarding menu feedback
• Operates the POS, as needed
• Provides outstanding customer service to students and other stakeholders
• Contributes to a positive and inclusive work environment and works as part of a team.
• Attends culinary and food service training.
• Follows all policies of the School Committee, FNS Department and instructions of the Cafeteria Manager relating to safety measures, sanitation practices, personnel standards, work techniques, and methods of performing duties.
• Performs duties as assigned by the Cafeteria Manager.
• Performs other related work as required.

Qualifications - Required:

• At least one year experience in preparation and cooking in an institutional food service setting.
• High school diploma or GED required
• Food Safety Certification for Managers
• Physical Requirements:
• Standing: 45% of 8-hour day
• Walking: 45% of 8-hour day
• Sitting: 10% of 8-hour day
• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Ability to work in and out of extreme temperature environments, including walk-in refrigeration and freezers.

• Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment
• Must have a valid Massachusetts driver's license and access to a vehicle.
• Ability to travel to assigned location(s) as required, in a timely manner.
• Pass a CORI/SORI criminal background check.

Qualifications - Preferred:

• Certificate from a recognized trade, technical or vocational school at high school level or higher, with a focus in culinary arts or food services or food trades
• Ability to give and follow oral and written direction

TERMS:

This position is subject to the City of Boston residency

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

Position Type: Central Office
Salary: $21.67 1.0 FTE

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Boston Public Schools, Office of Human Resources
• 2300 Washington Street
• Roxbury, Massachusetts 02119
• Email: [e-mail]