Food Services Assistant II

Food Service Assistant II

Portsmouth Middle School in Portsmouth, NH is looking for enthusiastic and dependable Food Service Assistants II to help provide nutritious meals and provide a positive experience for our students. As a Food Service Assistant II, you'll be part of a team that helps ensure students have access to healthy meals in a welcoming, friendly environment. The starting pay range for this position is $18.21 and hour up to $21.92 an hour depending on experience and certifications. This position follows the school calendar meaning no work on weekends, holidays, school vacation, and most snow days and the workday will end by 2:00pm!

Nature of Work: The purpose of this position is to assist the Cafeteria Manager on cooking entrees using a variety of foods from fresh, canned, dry, or frozen food products according to recipes.

Supervision: The incumbent works under the general direction of the Director of Food Service or a designee.

Essential Job Functions:

• Maintains high standards of control for quality food production and service.
• Cooks a variety of main and side dishes and accompanying menu items, including sandwiches, salads, meats, vegetables, and fruits as specified by the menu, recipes, and production needs.
• Sets up food service areas and serves food.
• Operates kitchen equipment such as, but not limited to, electric mixers, slicers, grinders, ovens, stove tops, warmers, and coolers.
• Utilizes kitchenware such as, but not limited to, knives, spatulas, whisks, tongs, spoons, and ladles.
• Practices safe food handling according to state and federal law.
• Assists in the monitoring, reduction, and management of food waste.
• Cleans and sanitizes pots, pans, and kitchen utensils.
• Performs daily, weekly, and monthly deep cleaning of the facilities, service areas, and all kitchen equipment such as counters, tables, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, mixers, transient hot carts, mobile carts, and rolling racks.
• Receives, labels, and stores food and supplies according to standards.
• Assists in taking inventory.
• Maintains an environment conducive to protecting the health and well-being of the students through high standards of food safety and sanitation.
• Maintains quality standards for the presentation and service of food in a pleasant environment.
• Ensures compliance with school district policies and procedures.
• Implements administrative policies for the proper use and care of all equipment.
• Performs all duties and responsibilities in an ethical and professional manner.
• Communicates effectively with supervisors and other employees.
• Performs other related tasks as required by the supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to utilize kitchen equipment and kitchenware including electric mixers, slicers, grinders, ovens, stove tops, warmers, coolers, knives, spatulas, whisks, tongs, spoons, and ladles.
• Knowledge of basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).
• High level of customer service for children and adults.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work cohesively with peers, supervisors, school personnel, and students.
• Ability to maintain standards of cleanliness, sanitation, and personal hygiene.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, City staff, and government officials at all levels.

Environment, Working Conditions, Physical and Mental Effort: The incumbent will work in a standard school and kitchen environment, which can be noisy at times. The position requires the incumbent to safely lift and carry up to 50 pounds, bend, reach, stand for long periods of time, and withstand a wide range of temperatures. The incumbent is required to comprehend and follow recipes, as well as use kitchen equipment in a safe and effective manner. Physical duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Minimum Required Qualifications: A candidate for this position should have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). Prior experience in accounting and/or bookkeeping is desired. Prior experience working in a kitchen is a plus but not required.

The City of Portsmouth is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The City is committed to providing access to equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services programs, and activities.