School Nutrition Assistant

About the Employer

School Nutrition Assistant

Reports To: Principal and School Nutrition Director Start Date: Immediate

General Statement of Job

Under general supervision, responsible for assisting the manager in oversight of kitchen operations to ensure that students are served nutritious and attractive meals in a clean and caring atmosphere. Responsible for organizing, training, food production, food service activities, and assisting the school nutrition manager with all record management and reporting functions. Will assist with development of kitchen staff and promotes good community relations among school clientele and broader community as directed by the manager. May function as cook, cashier, server or helper. Assists in maintaining National School Lunch Program (NSLP) compliance of free and reduced meals at the point of sale, as well as keeping accurate records of the same in accordance with local, state and federal rules and regulations and USDA requirements.

Food Preparation and Service

• Prepares, cooks, and serves meals according to specified standardized recipes;
• Prepares meals for special diets according to recipes or other instructions provided.

Kitchen Operations

• Uses batch cooking methods and replenishes the warming cabinets and/or serving line(s) to maintain properly cooked food items during the serving period.
• Assures that safe and sanitary practices in all phases of TPHC procedures are followed by all personnel to meet or exceed established health department and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards.

Menu Planning and Inventory Management

• Reviews menu and production records daily; orders food items to meet portion sizes, servings per unit or size, and expected production capacity per recipe;
• Suggests menu substitutions as necessary, and coordinates work schedule to meet serving schedule.

Food Handling and Storage

• Unpacks and carries canned and fresh fruits and vegetables, and frozen processed meats from storage to the food preparation area;
• Transports breads, rolls, desserts, and other items to specified areas;
• Transfers food items from cooking equipment to serving lines.

Ordering and Receiving

• Assists manager in ordering correct quantity of foods; ensures receiving, storing, handling, preparing, and serving of food are performed according to established standards.
• Checks deliveries for invoice accuracy and reports shortages.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Provides oversight of storage for all food and non-food supplies to ensure compliance with recommended storage requirements, maintaining the cleanliness and organization of food storage areas, dating and putting up delivery stock, and counting monthly physical inventory.
• Assists in maintaining accurate records of daily and monthly financial, production, and activity records for student meal charges.

Customer Service and Communication

• May serve meals or supplemental menu items; answers inquiries pertaining to food and meal items and provides excellent customer service.
• Prepares fresh fruits and vegetables, assembles salads, wraps sandwiches, pans food items, bakes cookies, assembles items for meal service at future times and/or locations such as prepping breakfast items for next-day service.

Cleaning and Sanitation

• Prepares the serving line with appropriate condiments and paper products; monitors to ensure cleanliness and stocked throughout serving period.
• May open canned items, prepare condiment trays, fill drink cups, place milk in coolers, place ice cream in open freezers or replenish any other items as needed.

Cash Handling and Financial Management

• Acts as cashier or backup during breakfast or lunch serving period; maintains financial integrity for purchased meals and other foods in cafeteria through kiosk or other remote sites to support data integrity.
• Collects and records advanced payments for lunches and breakfasts, recording amount paid in accordance with established procedures to maintain accurate student files.

Other Responsibilities

• Assists in maintenance of accurate free and reduced meal rosters and in screening free and reduced applications according to established procedures and policies as directed by manager.
• Assists students, parents, teachers, and school staff with questions concerning meal program.
• Enforces standards of cleanliness, health, and safety collection. Supports and assists in the sanitation process while maintaining proper sanitizer levels in all sinks and containers and of all cafeteria utensils, pots, pans, and serving utensils.

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of commercial equipment including ovens, steamers, combi ovens, braising pans, and all types of kitchen utensils and tools pertaining to food service; must be able to lift up to 50 pounds on occasion, exert up to 25 pounds of force regularly, or 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for light work. Must be able to stand for hours. Must be able to bend, twist, lift, stoop, reach overhead to perform assigned tasks.

Data Conception, Interpersonal Communication, Language Ability, Intelligence, Verbal Aptitude, Numerical Aptitude, Form/Spatial Aptitude, Motor Coordination, Manual Dexterity, Color Discrimination, Interpersonal Temperament, Physical Communication, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must be able to communicate in a pleasant, positive manner with students, staff, parents, and coworkers. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments. Must be able to read, understand and follow written work schedules written in English language. Must be able to set priorities and allocate time so that tasks are completed and deadlines are met in a timely manner.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.