Cafeteria Worker

Cafeteria Worker

Position Overview

Job Title: Cafeteria Worker

Department: Food Services

Reports To: Café Manager

Location: St. John Vianney High School

Employment Type: Part-Time

Experience Level: Entry Level (No experience required; on-the-job training provided)

Job Summary

The Cafeteria Worker assists in the daily operations of the school lunchroom and kitchen. The primary responsibilities include preparing and serving nutritious meals to students and school personnel, maintaining excellent sanitation and safety standards, and executing basic point-of-sale (POS) financial transactions. This role requires a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Food Preparation & Service

• Assist with basic baking and cooking, following established school recipes and portion-control guidelines
• Prepare, slice, portion, and assemble food items (such as fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, and side dishes) for daily service
• Set up serving lines, ensuring food is displayed attractively and held at correct regulatory temperatures
• Serve students and staff efficiently and courteously during designated meal periods

2. Point of Sale (POS) & Cashiering

• Operate the school's computerized point-of-sale system during lunch periods
• Accurately scan Student IDs or look up accounts to process meal transactions
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student account statuses

3. Inventory Management & Storage

• Assist with unloading, verifying, and storing food shipments and kitchen supplies upon delivery
• Rotate stock using the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method to minimize waste and ensure freshness
• Keep food storage areas, walk-in coolers, and pantries organized and clean

4. Sanitation, Safety & Maintenance

• Clean and sanitize food preparation surfaces, serving counters, and dining tables before, during, and after service
• Wash, sanitize, and properly store kitchen equipment, utensils, dishes, pots, pans, and serving trays according to health department codes
• Safely operate and maintain commercial kitchen equipment
• Empty trash receptacles and maintain high standards of cleanliness throughout the kitchen and cafeteria spaces

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: None required; prior experience in food service, customer service, or a school environment is a plus but not necessary
• Skills: Basic mathematical skills for handling transactions.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions/recipes
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact positively with high school students, educators, and teammates
• Physical Requirements: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 30-40 pounds occasionally (such as inventory boxes)
• Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures (near ovens or inside walk-in freezers)