Food Service Associate

Who We Are 
Manchester Youth Development Center (MYDC) has served children, youth, and families in Pittsburgh's Northside community for decades. Our mission is to provide a welcoming, safe, and caring environment that supports the academic, social, emotional, and overall development of children and youth.

Our Training Wheels Early Childhood Education Program serves children ages 3-5 in a nurturing, structured learning environment. Providing children with nutritious, safely prepared meals is an important part of creating the environment they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Position Summary 
MYDC is seeking a dependable and energetic Part-Time Food Service Associate to support meal service for our Training Wheels Early Childhood Education Program. The Food Service Associate is responsible for assisting with the preparation, portioning, serving, and cleanup of breakfast and lunch for children enrolled in Training Wheels.

This individual will help ensure that meals are prepared and served safely, efficiently, on time, and in accordance with applicable food-service and childcare requirements. This is an ideal position for someone who enjoys working as part of a team, takes pride in maintaining a clean and organized kitchen, and understands the importance of providing quality meals to young children.

Essential Duties:
Food Preparation & Meal Service

• Prepare and portion breakfast, lunch, snacks, and other food items according to established menus and serving guidelines.
• Ensure meals are ready and distributed according to the Training Wheels daily schedule.
• Assist with serving meals to preschool and Pre-K classrooms.
• Follow appropriate portion sizes and meal-service requirements.
• Prepare food in accordance with dietary restrictions, allergy information, and other documented meal accommodations.
• Maintain appropriate food temperatures during preparation, holding, and service.
• Assist with receiving, storing, rotating, and organizing food and kitchen supplies.

Kitchen Cleaning & Sanitation

• Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen and food-preparation environment.
• Clean and sanitize food-preparation surfaces before, during, and after meal preparation.
• Wash dishes, utensils, cookware, serving equipment, and other kitchen items.
• Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment as required.
• Sweep, mop, remove trash, and complete other routine kitchen-cleaning responsibilities.
• Properly store food and supplies and follow appropriate food-rotation procedures.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, health, and MYDC procedures.

Program & Team Support

• Work collaboratively with the food service team and Training Wheels staff to ensure meals are delivered accurately and on schedule.
• Communicate promptly regarding food shortages, dietary concerns, equipment problems, or other issues that could affect meal service.
• Help maintain accurate meal-service, temperature, inventory, or other required records.
• Assist with organizing deliveries and maintaining kitchen inventory.
• Maintain a professional and positive attitude while working around children, families, coworkers, and community partners.
• Perform other food-service duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 
Required

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous experience in food preparation, food service, kitchen operations, or a similar environment preferred.
• Ability to follow recipes, menus, portioning instructions, food-safety procedures, and written directions.
• Strong attention to cleanliness, organization, and food safety.
• Dependable attendance and ability to consistently report to work by 7:00 AM.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate professionally with coworkers and program staff.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all background clearances and other requirements applicable to employees working in a child-serving organization.

Preferred

• Previous experience working in a school, childcare center, senior facility, institutional kitchen, restaurant, or other high-volume food-service environment.
• Knowledge of safe food handling and sanitation practices.
• Current food-handler or food-safety certification.

Why Work at MYDC?
At MYDC, food service is more than preparing meals. Our kitchen team plays an important role in creating a safe, caring environment where children have what they need to learn and grow. The Food Service Associate will join a team committed to serving children and families while helping ensure that every child begins their day with nutritious meals prepared with care.

Manchester Youth Development Center is an equal opportunity employer. MYDC is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.