Job Description

WAHLUKE SCHOOL DISTRICT #73

JOB POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT/DESCRIPTION

Available to Begin between January 5, 2026

JOB TITLE: Food Service Assistant Cook. Position hours anticipated to be up to 6 hours per school day. Initial assignment location is at the High School. Assignment locations may change and is at the discretion of the Student Support Director and SFE Director.

DEPARTMENT

: Child Nutrition/Food Service

REPORTS TO

: Director of Student Support Services, Lead Cook, Southwest Food Excellence (SFE) Director

CLASSIFICATION

: Classified hourly position, FLSA Non-Exempt

REPRESENTATION

: Union representation available by the local PSE Union

WORK SCHEDULE:

180 school days (days prorated at time of hire), plus 10 paid holidays,

SALARY:

Current PSE Agreement Salary Schedule for Food Service Assistant

WORK HOURS

: To Be Determined-Early Morning Start (Initial assignment is 6 hours a day)

Benefits:

Position qualifies for employer contribution to medical benefits; Retirement contributions and plans. Earned sick leave, 10 days per year or prorated from date of hire; personal days, 4 per year or prorated from date of hire; up to 10 paid holidays per year.



The Food Service Department is contracted with Southwest Food Excellence to direct our meal planning, preparations and service.

GENERAL DUTIES:

Is responsible for the preparation of all food items determined by the SFE Director and/or Lead Cook. May prepare food for the serving line and keep all foods on the serving line at lunchtime. Requires frequent lifting and moving of items up to 25 lbs unassisted. Is responsible for the cleaning, maintaining of the small wares and equipment, and cleaning of dishes in their school.

SUMMARY

: May prepare meal menu items according to standardized recipes and production sheets. Serves meals that comply with USDA requirements for a reimbursable meal. May wash all types of dishes including but not limited to trays, pots and pans. May clean and sanitize foodservice equipment.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to read and write English, to do simple arithmetic, and to follow oral and written direction. Must have the capacity to grasp and adjust to new and changing situations. Manual dexterity and ability to work under pressure are desirable. Must be neat in appearance and wear uniform-type clothing, hairnet or cap covering on hair, and comfortable, safe no-slip shoes. Must have a Food & Beverage Workers' Permit.

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:

High School Diploma or GED. At least one year of experience in foodservice preparation preferred. Follows oral and written directions. Must be able to read and write English, to do basic arithmetic. Must have flexibility and the capacity to grasp and adjust to new and changing situations. Manual dexterity and ability to work under pressure are desirable. Experience working with culturally diverse students and parents desirable. Willingness to work with children in a kind and caring manner. Must be neat in appearance and wear uniform-type clothing, hairnet or cap covering on hair, and comfortable, safe no-slip shoes. Willingness and availability to work during summer and other non-school days to meet student programs needs preferred and may be considered necessary.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

May use scales for weighing ingredients and portion control, mixer, oven, range, steam-jacketed kettle, slicer, braising skillet, knives, and other related tools and equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

At certain times of the year, kitchen may become excessively warm. Must do much standing on feet and lifting.

The employee must frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds unassisted, or up to 50-100 pounds assisted.

The employee must regularly push and/or pull carts and other portable/moveable equipment.


Frequent bending, twisting, lifting, grasping.

JOB EXPECTATIONS

:

Dress according to school policy and food worker card safety code (listed below): School dress code is casual professional attire Closed toe no-slip shoes (no heels) Properly covered - no tank tops, short shorts, or holey clothing No gang-related, tobacco, or alcohol attire No perfume or cologne Be at the kitchen early enough to be ready at your scheduled start time. Ready means: Hair restrained Apron on Hands washed. No cell phones in kitchen area - keep in coat, use during break time only
Follow all instructions from regular kitchen staff Be able to lift 25 pounds unassisted, and up to 50 pounds with help Break times: 4 hour shift - one 10 minute break, 5+ hour shift - hour unpaid lunch and one 10 minute break

Personal Habits Affect Food Safety - Washington Food Worker Code

Eating, Drinking and Smoking

Food worker may not eat, drink, or use any type of tobacco in food preparation areas. This is to prevent spills onto food and to reduce the chance of contamination.

Exception: Food workers may drink form a covered container with a straw. The drink must be stored so that it cannot spill onto food or food-contact surfaces.

Hair Restraints

Hair restraints are intended to keep hands out of hair and hair out of food. Hair must be effectively restrained whenever you are working around food or food preparation areas. Hair restraints include hairnets, hats, barrettes, ponytail holders, and tight braids. Long beards must also be restrained.

Fingernails

Fingernails must be trimmed so they are easy to clean. If nail polish or artificial nails are worn, the food worker must wear gloves when preparing all foods, not just ready-to-eat foods. For example, a food worker with artificial nails would need to wear gloves when mixing batter with a spoon.

Jewelry

Jewelry can hide germs that cause foodborne illness and make it hard to wash hands. Jewelry can also fall into food. While preparing food, food workers must remove watches, rings, bracelets, and all other jewelry on the arms or hands.

Exception: Wedding rings may be worn if they are covered with a glove when the food worker is preparing food.

Personal Items

Personal items like medicine, coats, and purses must be stored away from food, dishes, and linens.



ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES of the Food Staff Assistant include the following. This is a representative list and is not considered exhaustive.

Other duties may be assigned.

May prepare main dish(es), and any other secondary dishes as needed. Maintains proper food hot holding/cold storage temperatures and reheating, cooling, freezing and thawing procedures in their school. Operates kitchen equipment and dishwasher. Inspects equipment for cleanliness. Maintains clean/sanitary food preparation and serving area. May organize and supervise student servers for uniformity and maximum efficiency. May supervise other food service staff and substitutes. Ladles soups and gravies, serves salads, breads, main dish items, sandwiches and other food items in appropriate portions. Replenish supply of food items on serving line. Lifts full pans of food to move around kitchen. May lift full milk crates into cooler. Stores and/or disposes of unused foods. Wash dishes, trays, silverware, utensils, pots and pans and stack and/or store in appropriate containers or storage areas. May maintain necessary supplies and goods for assigned meals. Restock breakfast supplies for the next day (cereal & seeds), restock lunch cart (trays, silverware and napkins). Basic Housekeeping may include: washing counters, counter fronts/sides/doors, stainless steel and shelves, serving equipment. May clean ovens, steam jackets, mixers, refrigerators or freezer units, milk coolers, warming ovens, food carriers, utility carts, dishwasher and any equipment used by food service persons. May open cans with can opener and chops, slices and cuts with sharp knives. May prepare food or condiment items as needed. May stock shelves. May wash steam kettle & braising skillet as needed. May relieve or assist other employees to meet emergency or on-the-job training situations. Perform related duties as required.




The Wahluke School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, homelessness, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, age, or honorably discharged veteran or military status. This holds true for all programs and services. The District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance/complaint procedures may be directed to the school district's Civil Rights Coordinator at lleitz@wahluke.net; Title IX Director at jesindola@wahluke.net or (509)932-4477; Section 504/ADA Coordinator, at gcalaway@wahluke.net or (509)932-4565 or by mail at 411 E. Saddle Mt. Dr., Mattawa, WA 99349.