Substitute Cafeteria Worker

Position Type:
Food Services/Cafeteria Worker

Date Posted:
3/6/2026

Location:
Westfall District Office

Closing Date:
Until Filled


Title: Substitute Cafeteria Worker

Department : Food Service


Building/Facility : District-Wide


Reports to : Head Cook


Employment Status : Substitute


FLSA : Non-Exempt


Description : Assist in daily lunchroom operation including preparing food, serving students and staff and clean up and storage


NOTE: The below lists are not ranked in order of importance


Essential Functions :

• Adhere to prescribed standardized recipes
• Adhere to rigid sanitary standards in work and attire
• Assist head cook with receiving, storing and maintaining inventories for all food and supplies purchased from vendors or procured from the Ohio Department of Education Commodities Distribution
• Assist in the daily cleaning of all kitchen equipment
• Assist the head cook with meal preparation
• Ensure safety of students
• Follow rules, regulations and policies of the school lunch program
• Help supervise/advise student workers
• Inform head cook of needed food, supplies or repairs
• Interact in a positive manner with staff, students and parents
• Maintain orderly and clean work areas
• Maintain respect at all times for confidential information, e.g., free and reduced lunch students
• Make contacts with the public with tact and diplomacy
• Prepare and serve food in an attractive manner
• Prepare and serve quality food to the students in quick and pleasant manner
• Prepare the day's menu using standardized recipes and methods
• Promote good nutrition for all students regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, age or handicap
• Promote good public relations by personal appearance, attitude and conversation
• Respond to routine questions and requests in an appropriate manner
• Serve students and adults using proper portion control methods for the day's menu
• Use proper storage methods for leftovers as directed by cafeteria manager
• Use the proper storage methods for use, sanitization and maintenance of kitchen equipment
• Perform cashier duties for breakfast/lunch

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with regular inventories of raw food, materials and equipment
• Attend meetings and in-services as required
• Perform other duties as assigned by the head cook/food service manager
• Report the inferior quality of food or faulty equipment to the appropriate supervisor
• Schedule and plan in advance foods that need to be defrosted, e.g., turkey and chicken
• Scrape trays during lunch periods when necessary
• Serve as a role model for students in how to conduct themselves as citizens and as responsible, intelligent human beings
• Straighten and put away stock in storage areas

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or general education degree (GED)
• One year related experience
• Such alternative(s) to the above qualifications as the superintendent and/or the board of education may find appropriate

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate ideas and directives clearly and effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to follow recipes
• Ability to read and understand verbal and written instructions, written warnings and labels
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently during lunch periods
• Effective, active listening skills
• Experience cooking in large quantities
• Experience in preparing school lunches
• Knowledge of various cooking procedures
• Organizational and problem solving skills
• Training in the proper care and storage of chemicals, e.g., OSHA/PERRAC training
• Report all problems related to the computer/cafeteria terminals and printers
• Maintain a clean workstation
• Keep computer/terminal equipment clean and in good working condition
• Ability to use e-mail
• Usage of spreadsheets and graphs

Equipment Operated:

• Can opener
• Convection oven
• Conventional oven/stove
• Dishwasher
• Food processor
• Grinder
• Knives
• Microwave
• Mixer
• Slicer
• Steamer
• Point of Sale System
• Computer
• Printer
• Fax machine

Additional Working Conditions:

• Frequent excessive standing during assigned work day
• Frequent requirement to lift, carry, push and pull various items up to a maximum of 20 pounds
• Frequent requirement to stand, walk, read, hear, reach, stretch with hands and arms
• Interaction among unruly children
• Occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue
• Occasional operation of a vehicle under inclement weather conditions i.e., being prepared to come to school on all scheduled school days, except calamity days
• Occasional repetitive hand motion, e.g., cutting and grinding
• Occasional requirement to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and hear
• Occasional requirement to work beyond the normal workday

This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the incumbent. The incumbent will be required to follow the instructions and perform the duties required by the incumbent's supervisor and/or appointing authority.