Food Service Assistant I

Job Title: FOOD SERVICE ASSISTANT I Reports To: Director of Food Services Organization: Tejano Center Division: RYSS Texas Public Schools Location: Assigned Campus/Location FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Emp Employment Status: Full-Time Work Calendar Status: 10 Months (195 Days) Salary: MIN: $14/hrly MID: $14.96/hrly MAX: $16/hrly Revised: September 8, 2026

POSITION SUMMARY The Food Service Assistant I supports the daily preparation, service, and cleanup of school meals. This position assists with setting up serving areas, serving meals for students and staff, receiving and storing food and supplies, and maintaining kitchen and food service areas in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition.

The Food Service Assistant I is expected to follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, health, and organizational procedures while providing courteous service to students, staff, and visitors.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to read, write, and understand basic instructions.
• Previous food service, cafeteria, restaurant, or kitchen experience preferred but not required.
• Must obtain and maintain required food handler certification and complete all required annual training.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Assist with preparing food service and serving areas for breakfast, lunch, and other meal services.

• Set up serving lines, steam tables, trays, food, beverages, utensils, and other supplies according to established procedures.

• Serve appropriate food portions to students and staff while following established meal service, food safety, and sanitation requirements.

• Assist with the preparation, assembly, packaging, and distribution of meals as assigned.

• Receive food and supplies and assist with proper storage, organization, rotation, and inventory.

• Monitor and document food temperatures as required and ensure food is stored and served at appropriate temperatures.

• Maintain kitchens, serving areas, counters, steam tables, coolers, and other work areas in clean, sanitary, organized, and safe condition.

• Wash, sanitize, and properly store pots, pans, trays, utensils, kitchen equipment, and other food service items.

• Maintain the organization and cleanliness of refrigerators, freezers, walk-in coolers, dry storage areas, and other food storage spaces.

• Assist with storing unused food and supplies and properly disposing of food waste, leftovers, and garbage according to established procedures.

• Safely operate standard food service equipment, including ovens, dishwashers, steam tables, and other kitchen equipment. Immediately report damaged or malfunctioning equipment.

• Assist with the distribution and service of breakfast and other meals for students in grades PK-12, including setup, delivery, service, and cleanup as assigned.

• Follow all applicable health, sanitation, food safety, and workplace safety requirements.

• Complete all required annual training and maintain required food handler certification.

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance and report to work according to the assigned schedule.

• Provide courteous and professional customer service to students, employees, families, and visitors.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Basic knowledge of food preparation, serving procedures, and sanitation practices.
• Ability to safely operate standard kitchen equipment and utensils.
• Basic math and measurement skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate food temperatures and follow proper food storage procedures.
• Ability to learn and follow health, safety, sanitation, and food service requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively and professionally with students, staff, and coworkers.
• Ability to meet established schedules and timelines.
• Knowledge of proper lifting and workplace safety techniques.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Mental Demands

• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Follow instructions and work effectively with frequent interruptions.
• Maintain attention to food safety and sanitation requirements. Physical Demands
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Frequent use of hands for food preparation, serving, and cleaning.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Environmental Factors:

• Work in kitchen, cafeteria, and food storage areas.
• Frequent exposure to hot/cold temperatures, noise, wet surfaces, and cleaning products.
• Occasionally extended or adjusted hours as needed.

Equal Opportunity Statement Tejano Center for Community Concerns is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Reviewed by ___Date____

Received by ____Date