Traveling Kitchen Specialist

Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) is one of the largest public school districts in Oklahoma, dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive educational environment for its diverse student population. The district places strong emphasis on providing essential services that support student well-being, including a comprehensive student nutrition program designed to deliver healthy and nutritious meals across multiple school sites. The Student Nutrition Services department plays a crucial role in this mission, contributing to the positive health outcomes and academic performance of students by ensuring access to quality meals in a safe and professional manner. OKCPS values its employees and offers positions that cater to individuals committed to service, attention to detail, and teamwork.

The role of Traveling Kitchen Assistant within the Student Nutrition Services is a dynamic and essential position focused on ensuring the efficient preparation, serving, and cleanup of meals in varying school environments. Classified as a non-exempt position, this role reports directly to the Cafeteria Supervisor and typically involves working six hours per day for 177 workdays annually. Compensation is determined by experience, starting at an hourly rate of $4.52. This position may require traveling between multiple school sites and occasionally supporting special events and catering in alignment with district and department activities.

The Traveling Kitchen Assistant is responsible for the safe handling and preparation of food and non-food supplies. Duties include receiving deliveries, safeguarding items, preparing and cooking meals, serving food, and cleaning up kitchen spaces and equipment as needed. This role demands strict adherence to all federal, state, and local guidelines concerning food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety. A key aspect of this position is the need for cooperative teamwork with fellow kitchen staff to maintain a harmonious working environment. Additionally, the position is safety sensitive under Oklahoma regulations, which necessitates passing pre-employment drug screening and compliance with the district's drug policies.

Employees in this role are encouraged to pursue professional development through training courses and certifications, which help maintain high standards of service and safety. Physical requirements include manual dexterity, adequate vision and hearing, and the ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds frequently with assistance and sometimes up to 75 pounds. The work environment consists of kitchen settings which may not always be climate controlled and may require working outside normal hours, including weekends, to meet the demands of special events or catering assignments.

In this role, punctuality, uniform appearance, and consistent attendance are highly valued attributes. The Traveling Kitchen Assistant must also be capable of operating district vehicles when transportation between sites or event locations is necessary. Overall, this position offers a fulfilling opportunity to contribute to the health and success of Oklahoma City’s student community by ensuring that nutritious meals are delivered efficiently and safely across the school district.