SY 26-27 Food Services Assistant

The School District of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia is seeking an Entry Level Food Service Worker to assist in the preparation and service of meals in district facilities. You will follow standardized recipes, serve students and staff, handle cash transactions, and operate a compliant POS system.

This role emphasizes food safety, sanitation, timely meal production, and teamwork with kitchen staff. Education required is a high school diploma, and prior cafeteria experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Two years of full-time, paid food services experience in a large-scale institutional environment.
• Ability to operate a compliant POS system and handle cash accurately.

Responsibilities

• Counts items prepared and served and assists in serving meals.
• Serves food to children and adults and handles cash transactions.
• Operates a compliant POS and POS terminal.
• Washes pots, pans, trays and cleans kitchen/service areas.
• Prepares main entrees or items following standardized recipes.
• Counts end-of-day sales and may generate reports from POS system.
• Removes trash and assists with general cleaning in kitchen/cafeteria.
• May prepare grill items and assemble sandwiches.

Skills

Food safety

Cash handling

POS operation

Kitchen cleaning

Cooking and prep

English literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years of full-time food services experience (large-scale institutional)

Job description

DISCLOSURE: This position requires both a written and an oral exam for consideration. For current employees, please apply through the Employee Portal for consideration.

Job Summary

Assists in the preparation and service of food within School District of Philadelphia facilities. Cleans food preparation and/or service areas. Work may involve cooking the main entrees and/or other items in a full-service cafeteria by following standardized recipes, serving and/or cashiering in a lunchroom or maintaining an accurate count of items produced and sold. Operates a compliant Point of Service (POS) and POS computer system/terminal.

Essential Functions

• Counts the number of items prepared and served.
• Places food on serving counter; serves food to children or adults in a lunchroom; receives money and makes change.
• Operates a compliant POS and POS computer system/terminal.
• Washes pots, pans, trays and other utensils; cleans preparation and/or service areas; may perform heavier cleaning tasks periodically; may sweep and mop floor in kitchen area.
• Cooks the main entrees or other items in a full-service cafeteria following prescribed menus and standardized recipes.
• Collects, sorts and counts bills and coins received from lunchroom sales.
• May count the number of items prepared and sold; may generate end-of-day reports from POS computer system/terminal.
• Removes trash form kitchen and cafeteria.
• May prepare food on grill, including but not limited to hamburgers and hotdogs.
• Assembles sandwiches, slices meat, and chops vegetables, prepares salad and fruit dishes; bakes desserts or breads; prepares desserts and portions into serving containers.

Minimum Requirements

• Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• food preparation techniques for both hot and cold food entrees and a la carte food items
• the health and sanitation aspects of food handling and preparation
• public health aspects related to food handling and preparation
• the materials, equipment, methods and techniques of preparing food in quantities of three hundred meals or more
• Demonstrated skill in:
• the use and care of equipment used in food preparation and services
• the preparation of a variety of main dishes from standardized recipes
• Ability to:
• adhere to established time schedules for food preparation
• perform mathematical calculationsli>
• maintain personal cleanliness
• read, write in English and count accurately
• operate a compliant Point of Service and Point of Service computer system/terminal and/or roster
• understand and follow oral and written instructions in English
• establish and maintain effective working relationships

Minimum Requirements:

• Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade;
• Two years of full-time, paid food services experience in a large-scale institutional environment which has included the School Food Service, Principles of Quantity Food Production, and ServeSafe Sanitation Program.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Additional Information

References ADA, 42 U.S.C.S, Section 12113 (d) – Person in job must not have nor contract any disease listed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Such person may be removed from their job pursuant to the American with Disability Act and due process.

Primary Location The School District of Philadelphia

Job Food Services

Organization The School District of Philadelphia

Schedule Regular

Employee Status Entry Level

Job Posting Sep 1, 2026, 4:19:54 PM

Union Affiliation Local 634 UNITE HERE (634)

Overtime Status Non-exempt

Unposting Date Sep 18, 2026, 10:59:00 PM