Substitute Cafeteria Worker (Variable Hours) - 10 vacancies

New Bedford Public School District; New Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

New Bedford Public School District is hiring Substitute Cafeteria Workers (variable hours) for the Central Kitchen in New Bedford, MA. Openings: 10 vacancies.

You will support breakfast and lunch service, help with food preparation, cashiering, and kitchen cleanup under supervision of Food Services leadership. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED preferred, basic math and cash handling skills, and the ability to work as part of a team in a busy school cafeteria.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred; no minimum educational requirement.
• Food safety and sanitation certification preferred.
• Ability to complete required training in food safety, sanitation, nutrition, and equipment operation.
• Basic math, reading, computer, and clerical skills.
• Ability to accurately process meal transactions and handle cash.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn food sanitation procedures, cleaning methods, and the safe operation of kitchen equipment.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team while also completing assigned tasks independently.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Demonstrated commitment to cleanliness, organization, and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve breakfast and lunch in a timely, courteous, and efficient manner.
• Ensure proper portion sizes and that reimbursable meals include all required meal components.
• Prepare all food item according to the menu & standardized recipes as assigned.
• Refill serving lines and maintain food quality throughout meal service.
• Receive, inspect, store, stock, and rotate food, supplies, and equipment.
• Transport food, supplies, equipment, and utensils between storage and work areas.
• Operate the point-of-sale computer system to process meal transactions.
• Accurately handle cash, balance cash drawers, and manage snack station sales as assigned.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and personal hygiene requirements, including proper handwashing, glove use, and hair restraints.
• Monitor food temperatures during storage, preparation, and service.
• Properly label, date, rotate, and discard food products according to established procedures.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely, including dishwashers, ovens, steamers, steam tables, kettles, tilting skillets, microwaves, ranges, slicers, and other food service equipment as assigned.
• Wash, rinse, sanitize, and store pots, pans, dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment.
• Clean and sanitize serving areas, tables, carts, kitchen equipment, and work surfaces.
• Sweep and mop kitchen.
• Knowledge of use and operation of cleaning solutions and equipment.
• Maintain clean, organized storage and work areas.
• Follow all safety & standard operating procedures.
• Assist cooks and other kitchen staff with meal preparation and other assigned duties.
• Interact professionally and courteously with students, staff, and visitors, reporting concerns to the Principal/Food Service Director.
• Follow assigned work schedule.
• Performs any/all other duties as assigned by the Cafeteria Manager, Director of Food Services, or designee.

Skills

Cash handling

Food safety

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

POS system

Job description

Substitute Cafeteria Worker (Variable Hours) - 10 vacancies

New Bedford Public School District PRAB - Food Service - Central Kitchen - New Bedford, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5898254
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Aug 22, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)
Starting Date: Aug 27, 2026

Job Description

Cafeteria Worker

About New Bedford Public Schools

New Bedford Public Schools is deeply committed to an inclusive curriculum and school community that reflects the diversity of our student population. We strive to recruit and retain highly qualified staff and encourage applications from candidates representing a broad range of skills and diverse backgrounds. We seek individuals who are dedicated to inclusion and interested in contributing to the richness of our diverse school community.

Position Summary

The Cafeteria Worker supports the daily operation of the school nutrition program by preparing and serving nutritious, safe, and high-quality meals to students and staff in a friendly, efficient, and sanitary environment. Under the supervision of the Director of Food Services, Principal, and Cafeteria Manager, this position performs a variety of food preparation, meal service, cleaning, cashiering, and kitchen support duties.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve breakfast and lunch in a timely, courteous, and efficient manner.
• Ensure proper portion sizes and that reimbursable meals include all required meal components.
• Prepare all food item according to the menu & standardized recipes as assigned.
• Refill serving lines and maintain food quality throughout meal service.
• Receive, inspect, store, stock, and rotate food, supplies, and equipment.
• Transport food, supplies, equipment, and utensils between storage and work areas.
• Operate the point-of-sale computer system to process meal transactions.
• Accurately handle cash, balance cash drawers, and manage snack station sales as assigned.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and personal hygiene requirements, including proper handwashing, glove use, and hair restraints.
• Monitor food temperatures during storage, preparation, and service.
• Properly label, date, rotate, and discard food products according to established procedures.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely, including dishwashers, ovens, steamers, steam tables, kettles, tilting skillets, microwaves, ranges, slicers, and other food service equipment as assigned.
• Wash, rinse, sanitize, and store pots, pans, dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment.
• Clean and sanitize serving areas, tables, carts, kitchen equipment, and work surfaces.
• Sweep and mop kitchen.
• Knowledge of use and operation of cleaning solutions and equipment.
• Maintain clean, organized storage and work areas.
• Follow all safety & standard operating procedures.
• Assist cooks and other kitchen staff with meal preparation and other assigned duties.
• Interact professionally and courteously with students, staff, and visitors, reporting concerns to the Principal/Food Service Director.
• Follow assigned work schedule.
• Performs any/all other duties as assigned by the Cafeteria Manager, Director of Food Services, or designee.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred; no minimum educational requirement.
• Food safety and sanitation certification preferred.
• Ability to complete required training in food safety, sanitation, nutrition, and equipment operation.
• Basic math, reading, computer, and clerical skills.
• Ability to accurately process meal transactions and handle cash.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn food sanitation procedures, cleaning methods, and the safe operation of kitchen equipment.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team while also completing assigned tasks independently.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Demonstrated commitment to cleanliness, organization, and customer service.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The employee must be able to:

• Stand and/or walk the majority of the workday.
• Frequently use hands and arms to handle food, equipment, and supplies.
• Reach, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, push, pull, and lift as required.
• Use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repetitively lift and carry up to 40 pounds throughout the workday.
• Work safely around commercial kitchen equipment, cleaning chemicals, and hot surfaces.
• Work in varying temperatures, including freezers, refrigerators, kitchens, and outdoor conditions as necessary.
• Communicate effectively in both typical office and busy cafeteria environments.
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• The employee is regularly required to talk and hear in both an office environment and a loud environment.

Terms of Employment

• Position: Cafeteria Worker
• Reports To: Director of Food Services or Designee
• Compensation: Rate: $17.72 per hour

New Bedford Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, genetics, or disability that does not prevent the performance of the essential functions of the position. We encourage applicants with multilingual skills, particularly in Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish, to apply. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $17.72 to $17.72 Per Hour

Substitute > Substitute: Food Service

Support Staff > Food Service

Job Requirements

• High School/Trade School degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Catherine Henriques , Director of Food & Nutrition Services
• PRAB - Food Service - Central Kitchen
• Email: [e-mail]