Food Service Assistant - Helensview

Reports to: School Principal

Program: Helensview

Classification/Range : Classified, Range 12

Schedule: 195 days per year, 8 hours per day

Start Date: As soon as possible | Open until filled

POSITION PURPOSE:

Handle daily operations of school meal delivery and facilitate student-driven catering services. Helensview centers its students in all its activities. As part of the kitchen team, the Food Service Assistant at Helensview is responsible for preparing and serving daily breakfast and lunch for the school. The primary goal of this role is to provide students with hands-on learning experiences across all aspects of the culinary program. Through real-world, practical exposure, students will be involved in every stage of the culinary process, including food preparation, cooking, and service. This position is designed to immerse students in the culinary field, allowing them to develop essential skills while working in a professional kitchen environment. All responsibilities may include mentoring and guiding students, helping them build both technical skills and a strong understanding of kitchen operations.

NATURE & SCOPE:

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations, and applicable State and Federal statutes. This position carries no administrative authority or responsibility.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Prepare meals, including but not limited to: reheating, cutting, sorting, and assembling food for the school breakfast and lunch program.
• Prepare serving area for each meal.
• Place food in serving/eating dishes or trays for students.
• Serve meals.
• Clean kitchen/lunchroom area following meals, including but not limited to: sweep and mop floors as needed; and wash pots and pans, cooking utensils, and dishes.
• Adhere to program procedures as established to maintain quality sanitation and safety standards. ? Receive food deliveries.
• Communicate school meal data to appropriate personnel.
• Update and maintain records and/or reports related to food services.
• Receive and disseminate catering orders for MESD Transition Program.
• Work with students on job-related kitchen/catering tasks.
• Communicate with others utilizing appropriate interactions.
• Use personal safety techniques to avoid exposure and injury to self, students, and other staff. ? Implement program-adopted crisis prevention/intervention strategies including the use of de-escalating procedures and physical interventions to avoid injuries.
• Maintain satisfactory job attendance record.
• Drive MESD vehicle to pick up and deliver food and supplies. This may involve transporting students as part of this assignment.
• Notify supervisor of needed kitchen maintenance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Work with the Culinary instructor to design and implement a food menu every week

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

Equity : Lead and support regional equity initiatives

Vision : Lead with vision, follow-through, and student focus.

Trust : Develop trust among coworkers and students through honesty and fairness.

Communication : Communicate in an inclusive, effective, and collaborative manner.

Personal Qualities : Be respectful, excel in customer service, caring, humble, and courageous. Enjoy helping children learn.

Attendance: Daily and consistent attendance and punctuality are paramount, as this provides consistency and alignment with students, peers, and programming outcomes.

Agency-wide perspective : Be involved in and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD programs and services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Daily and consistent attendance and punctuality

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Bilingual or multilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, Somali

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High School diploma, or GED, and previous experience in food preparation.
• One year of experience working with students with special education needs.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed primarily in a school kitchen; involves extended periods of standing, reaching, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Use of kitchen equipment including but not limited to industrial dishwasher, blenders and stove. Physical skills required to complete food preparation including chopping, mixing, blending and serving. Also requires driving 10- passenger van including loading and unloading supplies and assisting students.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Mobility: Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time. 2. Lifting: Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
2. Vision: Visual acuity to read and interpret written and electronic information.
3. Dexterity: Ability to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, and operate objects, tools, or controls. 5. Hearing/speaking: Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information so others will understand.
4. Emotional/Psychological: Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in challenging situations, remain empathetic and understanding towards individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs, handle stress and pressure effectively, and adapt to change in the workplace.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to relate to children and adolescents with cognitive and behavioral needs in a friendly and pleasant manner.
• Knowledge of proper kitchen hygiene and attire.
• Ability to use technology to access databases, enter data and retrieve information, and compile reports.
• Effective communication skills with district food provider and community members.
• Maintain a current Food Handler’s Card.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to maintain ODE Driver Certification for Type-10 vehicle.

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable state and federal statutes. This position does not carry administrative authority. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the supervisor of this position.

NOTE: The description contained herein reflects general details as necessary to describe the principle functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veterans status, genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment.

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at ....