Dishwasher, Culinary Team

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

About KIPP NYC:
Founded in 1995, KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of 18 free, public charter schools located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful, academically excellent schools where every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

From our first middle school, KIPP Academy in the Bronx, to today’s network of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, and one high school, KIPP NYC provides students with engaging academics, arts, athletics, and social–emotional learning that prepare them for college, career, and beyond.

Our commitment doesn’t end at graduation. Through KIPP Forward, we continue to support our alumni as they navigate college, career, and life, helping them define success on their own terms and pursue the paths that align with their goals and sense of purpose.

Together, we serve more than 9,400 students, support 4700 alumni, and employ over 1,100 dedicated team members who bring passion, expertise, and commitment to our mission every day.

About KIPP NYC Culinary:

Since 2016, the KIPP NYC Culinary Team has been reimagining what school food can be by providing students with fresh, scratch-cooked, nutritious, and delicious meals at no cost to students or families. As an extension of KIPP NYC's commitment to creating joyful, academically excellent schools, the Culinary Team plays a vital role in ensuring students have access to healthy meals that support their learning, well-being, and overall success.

Today, the Culinary Team serves nearly 10,000 students across 18 KIPP NYC schools and continues to expand its innovative scratch-cooking model. In Fall 2026, the team will complete its expansion across the network, bringing high-quality school meals to every KIPP NYC student.

In recognition of its impact and bold vision for the future, KIPP NYC was awarded a Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. This transformational investment will support the development of the KIPP NYC Culinary Institute—a central production and teaching kitchen, commissary, and workforce development hub that will strengthen school meal operations, expand career pathways for students, and deepen partnerships with local communities and New York State food producers.

Job Description

Position Overview:

The Dishwasher is an important member of KIPP NYC's Culinary Team, helping to ensure the kitchen operates safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all food safety and sanitation standards.

Reporting to the Head Chef, this role supports daily meal service by maintaining a clean and organized kitchen, washing dishes and equipment, assisting with food preparation, and contributing to a positive team environment. While previous commercial kitchen experience is preferred, we welcome candidates who are eager to learn, take pride in their work, and are committed to supporting students through high-quality food service.

This role requires a dependable, hardworking individual who values teamwork, maintains high standards of cleanliness and safety, and helps create an environment where students can enjoy healthy, delicious meals every day.

This is a full-time, in-person position requiring on-site work five days per week. The role is based at one of our KIPP NYC campuses across the Bronx, Brooklyn, or Manhattan. Your primary work location will be determined by your leadership team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Kitchen Operations

• Wash and sanitize pots, pans, dishes, utensils, trays, serving equipment, and kitchen tools throughout meal service.
• Assist with bussing trays, bins, and dish return stations during breakfast and lunch service.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen, dishwashing area, and servery.
• Support food preparation activities as directed by the Head Chef or culinary staff.
• Assist with meal service, kitchen setup, and cleanup as needed.
• Support special meal functions, events, and additional food service activities.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Follow all Department of Health (DOH), USDA, HACCP, and KIPP NYC food safety, sanitation, and cleaning procedures.
• Maintain assigned workstations in a clean, organized, and sanitary condition.
• Properly clean, store, and care for kitchen equipment and supplies.
• Maintain acceptable standards of personal hygiene and adhere to department dress code requirements.
• Immediately report equipment issues or safety concerns to the Head Chef.

Team Support

• Work collaboratively with the culinary team to ensure efficient kitchen operations and high-quality meal service.
• Assist in other areas of food production or service based on operational needs.
• Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and a commitment to outstanding customer service.
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance.

Working Conditions

• Regular exposure to temperature variations, moisture, steam, and wet working conditions.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and repetitive hand motions.
• Ability to lift and move supplies, equipment, and food items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to heat from ovens, steam tables, dishwashing equipment, and kitchen appliances.
• Exposure to moderate to high noise levels during meal service.
• Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and follow all kitchen safety procedures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience working in a commercial kitchen, school nutrition program, restaurant, or food service environment preferred, but not required.
• Fundamental understanding of food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness practices, or willingness to learn.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while maintaining high standards of quality and customer service.
• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and positive team environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and school staff.
• Self-motivated with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently while supporting team goals.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role, including standing for extended periods; carrying, bending, stretching, stooping, pushing, pulling, and lifting items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Demonstrates professionalism by modeling KIPP NYC's core values of zest, grit, hope, love, social intelligence, gratitude, and a sense of humor in all interactions with students, families, colleagues, and community members.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and continuous improvement by actively seeking and applying constructive feedback.
• Deep commitment to KIPP NYC's mission and belief that every student deserves access to healthy, high-quality meals that support joyful, academically excellent schools.

Additional Information

Compensation & Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers an hourly rate of $17.00 – $19.00. Hourly ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized by role level and function, and individual rates are determined with an equity lens, taking into account years of relevant experience.

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Robust benefits include medical, dental, and vision. 
• Generous time off, including 5 school vacation weeks, sick and personal days, and an extended summer break. 
• Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave. 
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder Care.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short-term/Long-term disability.
• Employee incentives include an 8-week paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

This role is based in NYC and will require travel to our schools. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. You must notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate.

KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization. 

KIPP NYC LLC is committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. 

KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.