Cafeteria Manager Pool 2025-2026

HCISD (Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District) is a prominent educational institution committed to providing quality education and fostering a supportive environment for students and staff. HCISD is dedicated to the well-being and academic success of its students, with various departments working collaboratively to ensure an enriching school experience. Among these, the Child Nutrition Department plays a vital role in promoting health and wellness by delivering nutritious meals to students and staff across the district. The department emphasizes food quality, nutrition, safety, and compliance with health regulations, contributing significantly to the overall school environment and student performance.

The Child Nutrition Department is currently seeking qualified candidates to join their team through a general job posting that remains open year-round. This approach helps the district maintain a pool of job applicants interested in working within this essential service area. When vacancies arise, candidates from this pool are carefully screened, and interviews are arranged by invitation only. This system ensures a timely and efficient hiring process to meet the dynamic needs of the district's food service operations.

The position available is a managerial role within the Child Nutrition Department focused on food preparation, kitchen supervision, and staff training. The primary responsibility of this role is to prepare menu items according to standardized recipes to meet menu requirements and uphold the highest standards of food quality, production, sanitation, and safety. This position requires managing and motivating a team of up to 10 kitchen staff members, ensuring smooth kitchen operations, maintaining compliance with health department standards, and fostering a safe and hygienic work environment.

Candidates are expected to have a high school diploma or GED and hold or be capable of obtaining a Certified Food Manager (CFM) sanitation certificate, which is a mandatory requirement by the Health Department. The role demands strong communication skills for effectively providing instructions related to food preparation and safety protocols. Candidates should possess working knowledge of kitchen equipment, recipe procedures, food safety practices, and sanitation standards, as well as the ability to train and supervise staff efficiently. Experience in computer usage is also essential to facilitate various administrative and operational tasks.

Applicants typically have at least two years of successful experience as a cafeteria manager in a large organization or have gained equivalent experience through on-the-job training within Harlingen CISD. The position follows a 210 workdays calendar and offers an hourly rate of $19.41, reflecting the district's commitment to fair and competitive compensation for its employees. Overall, this role offers an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about child nutrition and school food service management to contribute meaningfully to the district’s mission of supporting student health and achievement.