Food Services Assistant

Join The Ecs4kids Team

Ecs4kids (formerly Episcopal Children's Services) is a 2026 top workplace that honors young children's immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like voluntary prekindergarten (vpk), head start, school readiness, child care resource & referral (ccrr), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout florida to promote children's well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.

Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout northeast and central florida.

Ecs4kids offers a competitive benefit package which includes:

• medical, dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
• employee assistance program (eap)
• long-term & short-term disability insurance
• employer-paid life insurance
• paid holidays
• generous paid time off
• career development
• qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness program

General Description

Provide a clean, sanitary and safe environment for staff and children. Responsible for kitchen duties, preparation of food and food service for the center as outlined in the menus and in accordance with head start performance standards and usda requirements.

Major Responsibilities

General

1. To maintain sanitation and hygiene procedures and participate in the maintenance of the center.
2. Adhere to the assigned food service work schedule and dress code.
3. To ensure that safe practices are followed to prevent injuries to children or self.
4. To maintain all federal, state, local and accreditation standards (these may include those set forth by naeyc, apple, ecs, doh, dcf and head start).
5. To communicate regularly with other staff, attending staff meetings, trainings and sharing information.
6. To have a cooperative, positive and supportive attitude within the program
7. To follow directions and assignments as given by supervisor and food services lead.
8. Attend training sessions for enhancement of knowledge pertaining to nutritional practices and revised usda requirements, when required.
9. To maintain confidentiality at all times.
10. To provide assistance in the classroom when needed

Kitchen

1. Receive menus in advance of preparation and review goods on hand to determine needs for compliance.
2. Prepare, assemble and deliver breakfast, lunch, and snack on time to the children.
3. Order and prepare items needed for preparation of any classroom nutrition activities.
4. Maintain daily temperature tracking form.
5. Coordinate maintenance of milk, formula, baby food and paper product stock.
6. Inventory nutrition goods and supplies for requisition of needed goods.
7. Maintain copies of all required forms and submit copies to nutrition specialist.
8. Wash all dishes (according to health department standards) daily.
9. Turn in all vendor delivery slips to supervisor at the end of each month.
10. Clean and sanitize all kitchen areas daily.
11. Review inspection reports and take corrective action, when possible.
12. Discard trash and empty supply boxes daily.
13. Secure attendance from teachers, daily and prior to meal preparation.
14. Attend training sessions for enhancement of knowledge pertaining to nutritional practices and revised requirements from usda, when required.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.)

Organizational Relationship

• This position reports to the center manager.

Requirements

Education And Experience:

• high school diploma or ged
• 6 months related experience preferred

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities:

• ability to work effectively with a team
• ability to work independently without direct supervision
• ability to prioritize multiple tasks
• knowledge of proper cleaning techniques/products
• ability to exercise good judgment and emotional maturity
• ability to work effectively with diverse staff and families
• demonstrates proper use of grammar and communication skills
• knowledge of applicable health, safety and abuse-reporting procedures
• ability to maintain confidential information
• ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• ability to plan and organize work as well as maintain records

Certifications:

• complete tb screening & physical within ten (10) days of hire. Renew every 2 years.
• complete on-line food handlers course serving safe food in childcare within 90 days of employment.
• commence within thirty (30) days and complete within 6 months of employment the dcf required 45 hr training.
• complete 15 hours of in-service/professional development training hours each fiscal year (july-june)

Environmental Conditions:

• works inside in a child care setting
• tolerance of loud noise
• exposure to various cleaning chemicals

Essential Physical Skills:

• acceptable eyesight (with or without correction)
• acceptable hearing (with or without correction)
• ability to communicate both orally and in writing
• requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to 50 pounds. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of job.
• ability to bend, stoop, lift, walk and stand intermittently throughout the work day

Background Requirements:

A level ii background screening which consists of a local, state, and federal criminal check will be completed on all employees and any contracted employee position, intern position or volunteer position in which individuals have contact with children, have access to confidential information and / or are in a position of special trust.