Lead Food Service Worker

Salary : $3,868.48 - $4,264.48 Monthly
Location : Charter Oak Unified School District, Covina, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: CL26/27-04
Department: Food Services
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 6/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


APPLICATION FILING INFORMATION
Opening Date: June 1, 2026
APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ONLINE.

RECRUITMENT TYPE

Open - anyone may apply.
The District will have one vacancy at eight (8) hours per day and nine (9) months per year for the 2026/2027 school year. The work schedule is 7:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Food Services Department. The examination process will consist of supplemental questions included in the application, a job-related written examination, and a qualifications appraisal interview followed by a selection interview for those candidates in the top three ranks on the eligibility list. The eligibility list that is being established will be used to fill the current vacancy and for future vacancies within one year.

BASIC POSITION INFORMATION
The Lead Food Service Worker provides leadership, work direction and guidance to food service workers, substitute and student workers involved in ala carte and meal service preparation and sales in a middle and/or high school cafeteria environment. Incumbents in this classification perform complex duties involved in cafeteria and kitchen operations and assist in preparing food and supplies orders, cash and point-of-sale reconciliations and related reports.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES AND KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Representative Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The classification specification does not describe all duties performed by the incumbent in the class. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification.
• Plan, schedule, assign, and monitor the food service activities; at an assigned site; provide assistance in work direction and guidance to monitor daily job assignments and operational activities in food service areas. E
• Oversee and participate in the preparation and service of food for students and staff at assigned site; assure that standardized recipes and approved price schedules and portion controls are followed. E
• Monitor workflow and staff to assure compliance with established practices, rules, regulations and requirements; assist in ordering appropriate quantities of food and supplies and assure proper storage and usage to assure safety and sanitation rules, regulations and guidelines are followed; follow approved housekeeping and safety practices to assure that sanitary and safe conditions are maintained in kitchen, food-serving areas and in dining areas. E
• Plan, organize, and coordinate day-to-day operations and activities in assigned food services areas. E
• Prepare and maintain a variety of food services files, records and forms, such as inventory, cash receipts, costs, catering, menus, work orders, purchase orders and related items. E
• Perform a variety of financial record-keeping activities including counting cash and verifying receipts. E
• Operate a variety of kitchen and food service equipment including cash register, point-of-sale and inventory software, oven, grill, cook-top, barbeque and related equipment. E
• Operate a variety of office equipment such as computer hardware and software, calculator, photocopy machine, telephone, and related equipment. E
• Train new staff in food service operations. E
• Assist the food service operations supervisor to implement necessary improvements, changes in food preparation, meal service, menus and equipment. E
• May relieve and substitute for absent food service staff as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an italicized "E" which identifies essential duties required of the classification. This is strictly for use in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Food handling practices, safety policies, health code laws and regulations.
Food service operations, policies and objectives.
Policies and objectives of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Quantity food preparation and menu planning.
Proper cooking methods and equipment.
Large scale catering operations.
Operation of a computer and assigned software including word processing, spreadsheets and database management.
Oral and written communication skills.
Leadership and training techniques.
Interpersonal skills including tact, patience and courtesy.
Record-keeping techniques.
Modern office practices, procedures, machines and equipment.

ABILITY TO:
Coordinate the daily activities of a school site's food and nutrition services programs.
Keep up with current and evolving laws, regulations, guidelines and rules related to school lunch and food programs.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Operate a variety of large scale and countertop kitchen and food preparation equipment and utensils.
Operate a computer, cash register, point-of-sale system and other office equipment as assigned.
Analyze cost information and make mathematical calculations with accuracy and speed.
Work independently with little direction.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Participate in workshops and training sessions on food safety and nutrition standards.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Education and Training:

Graduation from high school supplemented by coursework in nutrition, catering, quantity food service preparation, culinary arts, food service management or related field is required. An Associate of Arts degree in one of these areas is desirable.

Experience:

Three years of quantity food preparation and service experience is required. One year in a lead role in a large-scale food service operation is desirable.

Two years of experience as a Food Service Worker I or II with the Charter Oak Unified School District may substitute for the required coursework.

Any other combination of training and experience that could likely provide the desired skills, knowledge or abilities may be considered.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this classification must obtain a valid Food Handler's certificate issued by an authorized agency within completion of the six (6) month probationary period and maintain certification throughout employment in this classification.
2. Incumbents in this classification must possess a valid California driver's license and appropriate liability insurance. Positions in this classification may be required to travel and work at multiple sites on a regular basis.


Working Conditions
Kitchen, cafeteria, and office environments.
Driving a vehicle to conduct work.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Lifting moderately heavy objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone.
Seeing to read a variety of materials.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, cash register, point-of-sale system and commercial kitchen equipment.
Standing, sitting and walking for extended periods of time.
Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to reach into cabinetry above and below kitchen equipment.

HAZARDS
Subject to heat from ovens and cold from refrigerators or freezers.
Exposure to hot foods and equipment.
Working with knives, slicers and other sharp objects.
Exposure to cleaning chemicals and fumes.
Other Necessary Requirements
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Holidays
Up to 16 paid holidays per year depending on months worked for all regular classified employees. Holidays are prorated for all classified employees, based on the hours and months worked per school year.

Vacation
Paid vacation is prorated for all regular classified employees, based on the hours and months worked per school year. Below is the vacation schedule for classified staff and classified management. For the purpose of vacation, a "month of service" is defined as fifteen (15) or more calendar days of paid status in any one calendar month.

1-5 years of service - One day of vacation will be earned per month of service.

6-10 years of service - One and one-quarter (1.25) days of vacation will be earned per month of service.

11-15 years of service - One and one-half (1.5) days of vacation will be earned per month of service.

16-19 years of service - One and one-sixth (1.6) days of vacation will be earned per month of service.

20-24 years of service - One and three-quarter (1.75) days of vacation will be earned per month of service.

25 + years of service - Two (2) days of vacation will be earned per month of service.

Health and Welfare Benefits

Medical Benefits - For full-time classified employees working 40 hours per week, the District will pay 100% of the premium of the least expensive family medical insurance plan (for the employee and eligible dependents). For classified employees whose assignment is less than full time, but 30 hours per week or more, the District will pay a proration of the premium payment for the medical insurance plan based on the hours per week of the position.


Dental Benefits - For classified employees working 30 hours per week or more, the District will pay 100% of the premium for dental benefits for the employee and eligible dependents.

Vision Benefits - For classified employees working 30 hours per week or more, the District will pay up to 100% of the premium for vision benefits for the employee and eligible dependents, depending on which plan is selected by the employee.

Life Insurance Benefits
For classified employees working 15 hours per week or more, the District will pay 100% of the premium for life insurance coverage for the employee of $35,000 ($50,000 for confidential and classified management employees).

The following benefit providers are available for enrollment for eligible classified employees:

*Medical: Health Net HMO/Select

*Dental: Delta Dental (PPO) or DeltaCare USA (HMO)

*Vision: Vision Service Plan (VSP) or Safeguard Vision

*Out of pocket costs are dependent on which provider is selected.

Retirement
The District participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Lifetime retirement benefits are provided for eligible retirees. Classified employees working 20 hours or more per week will be enrolled in CalPERS (employees make a mandatory 8% contribution).

Paid Sick Leave
All regular classified employees earn paid sick leave based on one day for each month in which such employees are in a paid status with the District and is prorated on the hours and months worked per school year. For example, employees working 12 months per year will normally earn twelve (12) days of sick leave during each school year. Earned, but unused sick leave can accumulate without limit.

Salary Step Increments
Regular classified employees receive a step increase of 2.5% annually based on their service in the District. Longevity increments of 5% additional salary are granted at the beginning of the 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and 30th year of service in the District, which are cumulative.

Please see Human Resources for complete benefit information.

The information provided above was updated April 2025.
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This position requires one of the following: 1. Three years of quantity food preparation and service experience is required. One year in a lead role in a large-scale food service operation is desirable.2. Two years of experience as a Food Service Worker I or II with the Charter Oak Unified School District may substitute for the required coursework.3. Any other combination of training and experience that could likely provide the desired skills, knowledge or abilities may be considered. Please explain how you meet or exceed one of these three criteria. DO NOT say "see resume" or you will be disqualified.
Required Question