School Nutrition Assistant (3hrs)

This job opening is for a School Nutrition Assistant position within a school district's nutrition services department. The district is committed to providing nutritious, appealing meals in a clean, safe, and caring environment to support students' health and learning. The organization operates under guidelines such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and adheres to local, state, and federal regulations to ensure compliance and food safety. As a public education institution, the district emphasizes community engagement, healthy meal options, and high standards of service and sanitation throughout its cafeterias and meal service areas.

The School Nutrition Assistant role is integral to supporting the School Nutrition Manager by assisting in the oversight of daily kitchen operations. This role requires a versatile team member who can participate in various food service functions including meal preparation, cooking, serving, cashiering, cleaning, and record keeping. The assistant collaborates closely with the nutrition manager to maintain accurate inventory, order supplies, manage production and attendance records, and ensure compliance with all relevant food safety regulations and federal meal program requirements.

The individual in this role will be responsible for the preparation and cooking of meals according to standardized recipes, including accommodations for special diets. Responsibilities also include batch cooking, replenishing serving lines, and conducting temperature monitoring to uphold health standards such as those outlined by HACCP. The Nutrition Assistant supports effective storage and inventory management by verifying deliveries, monitoring food quality, and maintaining the cleanliness and organization of food storage areas. This attention to detail helps prevent food contamination and waste while ensuring food availability aligns with educational schedules and meal counts.

Serving meals with a positive, customer-focused attitude is a key component of the position, assisting students, staff, and parents with inquiries about meal options, ingredients, allergies, and meal program eligibility. Additionally, the Nutrition Assistant may occasionally serve as the Person in Charge (PIC) in the manager's absence, taking leadership responsibility for food safety and operational oversight during health inspections or audits.

The position also entails financial accountability, including cashier duties, collecting meal payments, preparing deposits, and maintaining accurate records of daily and monthly financial transactions related to student meals. Supporting administrative functions involves timely submission of payroll, production sheets, and other required documentation using current computer software for accuracy and efficiency.

Physical requirements are significant, as the role demands standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, and operating commercial kitchen equipment such as ovens, steamers, braising pans, and others. Employees must demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work cooperatively in a team-oriented environment and maintain professionalism while managing multiple priorities. Experience in institutional or childcare food preparation, coupled with a high school diploma or GED, is preferred to ensure the candidate can competently manage the responsibilities of the position.

The position offers an opportunity to positively impact the health and well-being of students while developing skills in food service management within a structured educational environment. School Nutrition Assistants must also be willing and able to obtain a bus license to serve as substitute bus drivers, which demonstrates the district's need for flexible and multi-skilled employees. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about nutrition, food safety, and community service who seek to work in an organized and mission-driven institution with a focus on student success and wellbeing.