Food Service Assistant I

Position Title: Food Service Assistant I

Position Status: Regular Full Time (non-exempt)

Reports to: Food Service Supervisor

Position Purpose:

Assist in preparing and delivering healthy meals to assigned Head Start Center (site).

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

  • High School Diploma or G.E.D. plus one year experience of food preparation.

Experience

  • It is preferable that the assistant has past experience working with preschool children whether it is paid or volunteer.
  • Current or past Head Start parents encouraged to apply.

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Work under the direct supervision of the Food Service Supervisor. Work indirectly under the Food Service Specialist and management.
  • Work as Food Service Supervisor in absent of Food Service Supervisor.
  • Prepare breakfast and snack as required using the Child Adult Care Food Program at assigned site.
  • Prepare breakfast, lunch and snacks as required using the Child Adult Care Food Program when Food Service Supervisor is absent.
  • Assists in the packaging of meals for transport to sites.
  • Maintain meal schedules.
  • Lifts and stores food deliveries, boxes, crates and other containers weighing 10 to 50 pounds.
  • Wear safety back brace when lifting items greater than 25-50 pounds.
  • Washes dishes, pots and kitchen utensils by hand or by using mechanical equipment at central kitchen site.
  • Cleans ovens, ranges, freezers, coolers and other equipment as required at assigned site.
  • Collect and clean dishes and pots after meals at central kitchen site.
  • Sweeps and wet mops floors when necessary to avoid fall and injuries.
  • Disinfects cabinets, tables, sink, counters and walls as needed at central kitchen site.
  • Assist and store food and supplies according to the agency procedures at central kitchen site.
  • Ensure that a proper amount of supplies are available.
  • Maintain standards of personal grooming, appearance and habits following policies and procedures.
  • Maintain a safe and secure place to store chemicals away from food or preparation of foods.
  • Attends training classes and relevant food service workshops as required.
  • Maintain a safe and clean site using proper sanitation to pass all inspections.
  • Works within an established production system following standardized recipes, preparation and service methods and food handling techniques to ensure acceptable standards.
  • Assists in maintaining allergy forms as required and report confidentiality at assigned site.
  • Knows allergy substitutions.
  • Follows established procedures for service and distribution of meals.
  • Transport lunch meals daily to assigned site.
  • Store food and supplies at site according to agency procedures.
  • Assist in the daily inventory of food as required.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Necessary Skills:

  • Ability to weigh and measure ingredients as directed.
  • Knowledge of all basic food service equipment, i.e., mixers, blender, food processor, range, broiler, oven, toaster, disposal, dishwasher, etc.
  • Skilled in the use of ladles, spoons and knives.
  • Be able to follow a safety protocol in the event of a kitchen mishap.
  • Ability to use and operate fire extinguishers for each type of kitchen fire.
  • Ability to follow oral and written directions.
  • Practice sanitation and safety procedures.
  • Daily driving of car to deliver food to assigned site.
  • Keep vehicles clean interiors and exteriors as needed.
  • Keep a mileage record daily.
  • Keep a transport log daily of food served at site.
  • Keep foods at safe temperatures using an accurate temperature device.
  • Ability to work in a team concept with others.
  • Able to be a floater when needed.
  • Ability to lift and move items weighing approximately fifty (50) pounds.
  • Should know location of a safety protocol in the event of kitchen mishap.

Other Requirements:

  • Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, car and automobile insurance.
  • Must be eligible to be employed in the United States.
  • Continuing Education required.
  • Completion of an initial physical examination and follow up examinations every two years.
  • Current First Aid and CPR certification.
  • Fingerprint clearance, tuberculosis clearance and child abuse clearance must be on file and submitted according to policy.
  • Completion of a Food Safety Certification.
  • Bilingual where applicable.

Reasoning Ability

 

  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.  
  • Ability to read and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, map or schedule format.
  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, teachers, parents, and the general public.
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, and rates. 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
  • Work environment involves minimal exposure to physical risks, such as operating dangerous equipment or working with chemicals.
  • Work involves minimal exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to:

  • Regularly talk or hear up to 5 hours a day;
  • Regularly sit, write, type, and use a mouse up to 5 hours a day;
  • Regularly sit and stand from chair up to 20 times a day;
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • Occasionally stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
  • Regularly bend, stoop and squat;
  • Occasionally drive in dry and wet weather, usually during day light hours, but occasionally during evening hours;
  • Regularly get in and out of car up to 5 times per day;
  • Occasionally climb stairs and/or take elevator; and
  • Occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.