Substitute Cafeteria Helper

Chicopee Public School District; Chicopee (MA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Chicopee Public School District is seeking a Substitute Cafeteria Helper for the Food Service Department in Chicopee, MA. The position is on-call across district schools and involves food preparation, sanitation, serving, and related duties under supervision.

Ideal candidates will have a High School Diploma or GED, ability to read/write/maths, and prior food service experience; ServSafe certification is preferred. Position starts immediately with flexible, on-call hours across sites.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Proficient in reading, writing and math - Required.
• Previous food service experience preferred.
• Ability to move, bend, stand and lift for long periods of time.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food in a sanitary manner for students and staff.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary cafeteria environment.
• Clean, mop, scrub, wash, and sanitize.
• Operate a POS/Cash Register system, handle money and keep records.
• Work with and take direction from the Asst./Cook Manager.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Asst./Cook Manager or Food Service Director.

Skills

Food preparation

Sanitation

Punctuality

Attendance

Education

High school diploma

Tools

ServSafe Certification

Job description

Substitute Cafeteria Helper

Chicopee Public Schools Food Service - Chicopee, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Chicopee Public School District

Job Details

Job ID: 5028186

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Re-Posted: Feb 11, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

TITLE:SUBSTITUTE CAFETERIA HELPER

TYPE:Non-Union, Cycle III

SALARY:Per the Terms of Employment for Non-Union Personnel, Cycle III

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The Substitute Cafeteria Helper position is an on-call basis within the Chicopee Public Schools Food Service Department. The Substitute Cafeteria Helper will fill-in at various schools throughout the District on an as needed basis. The Substitute Cafeteria Helper is expected to perform efficiently, and to the best of their abililty, the duties assigned in relation to the preparation of food, sanitation, cleaning, serving food and other assiged duties in the time allotted, under the supervision of the Cook Manager, Assistant Cook Manager, and Director of Food Service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preparation of food in a consistent and sanitary manner for consumption by students and staff.
• Ability to operate kitchen equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Ability to maintain a safe and sanitary cafeteria environment.
• Ability to clean, mop, scrub, wash, and sanitize.
• Ability to operate a POS/Cash Register system, handle money and keep records.
• Ability to work with and take direction from the Asst./Cook Manager.
• Any other duties assigned by the Asst./Cook Manager or Food Service Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Skilled and knowledgeable in the following: food preparation and sanitation requirements. Ability to courteously and effectively work with all students, faculty, and other school personnel Ability to be a flexible self-starter.
• Must be punctual and prepared to work on a daily basis.
• A good attendance record is required.
• ServSafe Certification preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must demonstrate a positive attitude, strong work ethic, integrity, and ethics.
• Must be available and able to transfer to any other cafeteria based on the needs of the Food Service Department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. High School Diploma or GED preferred

2. Proficient in reading, writing and math - Required

3. Previous food service experience preferred

4. Ability to move, bend, stand and lift for long periods of time

ADA & MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Physical Requirements:Must be physically able to operate a variety of cafeteria equipment. Must be able to exert up to 15 pounds of force, and enough force to constantly to lift up to 35 pounds, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move small and large objects. Work requires walking, standing, kneeling, squatting to a significant degree.
• Interpersonal Communication:Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments or directions to staff, students, parents, and visitors.
• Language Ability:Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, forms, newsletters, schedules, manuals, invoices, requisitions, menus, recipes, journals, etc.
• Intelligence:Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Verbal Aptitude:Requires the ability to deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently.
• Form/SpatiaI Aptitude:Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Motor Coordination:Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using equipment.
• Manual Dexterity:Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and hand tools and kitchen equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Interpersonal:Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
• Physical Communication:Requires the ability to talk (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words) and hear (perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone or radio.

Position Type: Substitute

Salary: $16.55 to $16.55 Per Hour

Job Categories:

Support Staff > Food Service

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Melanie Wilk , Director of Food Services
• Food Service
• Email: [e-mail]