Buchanan Community Schools:
Cook’s Help

Buchanan Community Schools is welcoming applicants for Cook’s Help at Buchanan Middle School. The district seeks qualified applicants to assist in the preparation and serving of quality food to students in a quick and pleasant manner.

Eligible candidates must meet the following qualifications:

Assists with quantity food preparation
Assists with the daily cleaning of all kitchen equipment to ensure cleanliness and sanitary conditions are met
Sets up/breaks down serving lines (salad bar, hot food, ala carte, etc.)
Serves meals under the direction of the kitchen manager
Previous experience with large scale cooking and food preparation/serving is preferable
Ability to perform job and communicate in a noisy environment
Experience working with Elementary and Middle School-aged children preferred
Maintains regular, reliable and punctual attendance

Qualification Requirements: to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience
- High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred
Language Skills
- Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, students, or other employees of the organization
Mathematical Skills
- Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance
Reasoning Ability
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but basic written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations
Other Skills and Abilities
Ability to work in a friendly manner with co-workers and students; able to effectively take direction and work both independently and as a member of a team; ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies; ability to handle complex and stressful issues or situations with sound judgment, common sense, and a calm demeanor; impeccable character, sense of humor, and compassion for students, families, and district staff; good communication skills; punctual and rarely absent work habits

Physical Demands: the physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and continuously required to stand. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and waist while performing the duties of this job. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and color vision.

Work Environment: the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; the employee regularly works indoors and will occasionally work outdoors. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in temperatures above 100 degrees and occasionally will walk on slippery surfaces. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud to where you have to raise your voice to be heard.

Position Details:

Title: Cook’s Help
Base Kitchen: Buchanan Middle School
Reports to: Becky Kaltenbach, Food Service Supervisor
Starting date: August 18, 2025
Calendar: Student full days only, approx. 3.5 hours per day
Compensation: At least $14.61 depending on experience
Posting date: July 30, 2025
Application deadline: Until filled

Application and supporting materials should be submitted using
Buchanan Community Schools’ online employment link:
http://www.buchananschools.com/employment/

Questions should be addressed to:
Becky Kaltenbach | Food Service Supervisor | rkaltenbach@buchananschools.com

BUCHANAN BOARD OF EDUCATION
STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW

Buchanan Community Schools complies with all federal laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and with all requirements and regulations of the U.S. Department of Education. It is the policy of the Board of Education that no person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, gender/sex, height, weight, marital status, or disability shall be subjected to discrimination in any program, service, or activity for which it is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. Compliance Officers for Affirmative Action and review of Federal requirements are as follows: Section 504 and ADA; Callie Campbell (Director of Special Education, 695-8442), Title IX and Title VI; Brian Pruett (Buchanan High School Principal, 695-8404) and Shelby Beasley (Buchanan Middle School Principal, 695-8406).

Cook's Help