Cafeteria Helper 6-Hour - Location TBD

Job Description

JOB TITLE: School Cafeteria Helper

REPORTS TO: School Cafeteria Manager

LOCATION: Worcester Public Schools, Worcester, Massachusetts

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE
Our mission is to empower students to make healthier choices by working together, supporting one another, and building a Nutrition program with the community that values well-being and success.
We are dedicated to offering high quality nutritious and well-balanced meals for our 25,000+ students across 50+ schools and programs while serving breakfast, lunch, supper, after-school snacks and summer meals. The overall goal of our nutrition programs is to connect the Cafeteria, Classroom and Community to improve student health and well being.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The School Cafeteria Helper will assist with all aspects of cafeteria operations, including serving food, food prep, cleaning, maintaining inventory, using kitchen tools, and following food safety guidelines. This position requires attention to detail, adherence to health and safety standards, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced school environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (may be included along with other responsibilities)

Food Preparation: Participate in meal preparation by cutting, chopping, and assembling ingredients for daily meals. Safely use knives and kitchen equipment (e.g., mixers, slicers) to prepare food according to school menu guidelines.
Serving Food: Serve meals to students and staff during breakfast and lunch periods, ensuring food portions are accurate and that food safety procedures are followed.
Cleaning & Sanitation: Maintain cleanliness in all areas of the cafeteria, including tables, the serving line, prep tables, walk-in fridge/freezer, and floors. Responsibilities include sweeping, mopping, and wiping down surfaces.
Dishwashing: Operate dishwashing equipment or products to clean dishes, trays, utensils, and other kitchen tools, ensuring all items are sanitized and ready for use.
POS/Register Operation: Operate the Point of Sale (POS) register, processing transactions, and handling cash as needed.
Inventory & Stocking: Help with organizing and putting away inventory, ensuring that food and supplies are stored properly. Follow proper labeling and dating procedures for all food items, and ensure that the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method is followed to reduce waste.
Food Safety & Labeling: Label and date food items to ensure proper rotation and safe consumption. Adhere to all ServSafe guidelines for food handling, storage, and sanitation to maintain a safe and healthy environment for students and staff.
Assist with Food Line: Ensure the serving line is well-stocked and organized, assisting students in choosing their meals and ensuring that food items are fresh and properly displayed.
Compliance: Follow all school district and ServSafe regulations, including food safety practices, sanitation standards, and operational procedures.
Other Duties: Perform any other related duties as requested by the Director of Nutrition Services or the leadership team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Ability to safely use kitchen equipment and tools, including knives, slicers, and other food preparation devices.
Knowledge of food safety standards and ability to follow ServSafe guidelines.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. and perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting, bending, and reaching.
Ability to stand or walk for 95% of the workday.
Ability to work efficiently and responsibly in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent customer service and communication skills to interact with students, staff, and coworkers.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Must be available to work at any school site within the city as designated, with respect to the contractual bidding process.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Prior experience in food service, school cafeteria, or related environments.
ServSafe Manager or Handler certification.

WORK YEAR: This is a 42-week, school-year position including: 180 pupil days plus the 3 days before students report to school and 3 professional development days during the school year. Additional professional development hours may be required to obtain required certifications.

Additional hours over summer vacations may be available based on need but are not guaranteed.

WORK DAY: Full-time positions work 6 hours per day for a guaranteed 30 hours per week, Part-time positions work 3 hours per day for a guaranteed 15 hours per week

SALARY: This position is represented by the NAGE R1-16 Cafeteria Workers union and the salary is determined by the appropriate step on the Cafeteria Helper salary schedule.

Please note: To be considered for this role, you MUST also register at City Hall 455 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 (Room 109). You will
then be added to the Civil Service List.
Position Type:Full-time
Salary:$18 to $23 Per Hour
Job Categories:

Support Staff > Food Service

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Worcester Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer/Educational Institution and does not discriminate regardless of race, color, ancestry, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy or a related condition, veteran status or homelessness. The Worcester Public Schools provides equal access to employment and the full range of general, occupational and vocational education programs. For more information relating to Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action contact the Human Resource Manager, 20 Irving Street, Worcester, MA 01609, 508-799-3020.

Job Requirements

• High School/Trade School degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Application Questions

The employer requires all applicants to answer the following questions. It is recommended that you type any essays in a word processing program, save them, and then paste them on the proceeding job application page.

• 1. Have you ever been terminated for cause from a prior position? If so please explain.
  Brief Response (Answer limited to 200 characters, including spaces)
• 2. Are you currently employed by the Worcester Public Schools? If so, what capacity and location?
  Brief Response (Answer limited to 200 characters, including spaces)
• 3. Do you have any relatives employed by the Worcester Public Schools or the School Committee? If yes, please list name, title, and relationship.
  Yes/No