Classroom Food Service Worker-Florence

Head Start of Lane County is a dedicated non-profit organization committed to promoting the well-being and development of young children and their families through comprehensive early childhood education and support services. As part of the nationwide Head Start program, this agency provides vital resources to ensure that children from low-income families have access to quality care that supports their educational, social, and nutritional needs. Located in Lane County, Oregon, Head Start programs are federally funded and work closely with families, educators, and community partners to create a nurturing environment that fosters growth and lifelong learning. The organization upholds a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity employment and services that respect the unique backgrounds and needs of the children and families served.

This position is designed to support the Direct Service Teams at Head Start classrooms by focusing on the vital areas of food preparation, service, clean-up, and site sanitation. The role plays an essential part in creating a safe and healthy environment for children during their time at the classrooms by ensuring that food is prepared according to special dietary requirements and served hygienically. Responsibilities include proper portion sizing, setting tables, delivering food, washing dishes, and maintaining cleanliness in both the kitchen and classroom serving areas. In addition, the role involves managing the storage, inventory, and ordering of food and equipment to guarantee that the classroom operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Candidates for this role will find themselves working cooperatively with classroom staff, families, and the food service team to support nutrition and sanitation standards outlined by USDA regulations. There is frequent communication and training with the Food Service Manager to ensure compliance with established policies. The position requires adherence to confidentiality policies related to sensitive information within the Head Start program. This is a time-bound role spanning 9 months, supervised by a Regional Manager, with a starting pay of $16.43 per hour. The working environment includes physical activities such as kneeling, stooping, bending, reaching, and occasional lifting of items up to 40 lbs. The organization values candidates who bring a strong sense of independence, reliability, and teamwork, along with the ability to assist in supervising volunteers when necessary.

This role requires specific certifications such as a valid Food Handler's Card and enrollment in the Child Care Division-Central Background Registry. While prior experience in food service or child care operations is desired, additional skills such as Spanish language proficiency or previous Head Start experience are considered a plus. Head Start of Lane County is committed to nurturing a supportive workplace where employees can thrive while making a positive impact on the health and education of children within the community. The organization encourages applications from diverse candidates and maintains compliance with all federal Equal Employment Opportunity regulations, ensuring fair treatment in every aspect of employment.