Job Title: Kitchen Associate

Building/Department: Hoppin Elementary/Child Nutrition Department

Reports to: Child Nutrition Director & Kitchen Lead

Summary:

This position involves general food service work focused on the preparation, presentation, and serving of food in a school setting. The Kitchen Associate maintains high sanitation standards in the preparation, service, and dining room facilities. Additionally, the role may include cashiering duties and requires ensuring a friendly, efficient service experience for students and staff.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent experience required.
Prior experience working in food service is preferred.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

(These duties and responsibilities are judged to be "essential functions" in terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA)

Perform preparation work, including washing, peeling, cutting, and seeding fruits and vegetables.
Weigh and measure designated ingredients as per recipe requirements.
Transport pans, kettles, and trays of food to and from workstations, stoves, and refrigerators in accordance with safety standards.
Store food in designated areas following wrapping, dating, food safety, and rotation procedures.
Clean work areas, equipment, and utensils to maintain sanitation standards.
Distribute supplies, utensils, and portable equipment as needed.
Utilize approved food recipes and production standards to ensure proper food quality, serving temperatures, and standard portion control.
Serve students and staff in a friendly, efficient manner following outlined steps of service.
Resolve student and staff concerns, relaying relevant information to the supervisor.
Ensure compliance with company service standards, inventory, and cash control procedures.
Maintain compliance with all sanitation and safety requirements.
Represent the school district positively in all interactions.
Adhere to school district policies and follow the established chain of command.
Perform any additional duties as assigned
Maintain a consistent and reliable on-site work schedule

Qualification Requirements:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed 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.

Language Skills: Ability to read, write, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Effective communication skills to interact with staff, vendors, and outside agencies.
Mathematical Skills: Basic mathematical skills for measuring ingredients, adjusting recipes, and managing inventory.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with various variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Other Skills & Abilities: Basic computer and clerical skills. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Must have a positive attitude, be self-directed, and be highly motivated.

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 regularly required to sit, walk, stand, and reach with hands and arms. Manually move, lift, carry, pull, or push heavy objects or materials. Frequently required to stoop, kneel, bend, and reach. Regularly lift and carry up to 30 pounds; occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, very good depth perception, and the ability to communicate effectively through speech. The position requires a significant amount of physical activity

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 functions. Indoor Kitchen environment with exposure to heat from ovens.

Potential exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, and sharp objects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly meets deadlines amidst a fast-paced environment with severe time constraints.

Union Representation: Please note: This position is Non-Union: salary, terms, and other conditions of employment established by the Board of Education.

FLSA Status: This is a Non-Exempt FLSA position. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Reasonable Accommodations: Three Rivers Community Schools is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. To request an accommodation during the application process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 269-273-1104.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: Three Rivers Community Schools is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy of Three Rivers Community Schools that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination during any program, activity, in hiring or in employment.

Additional Information:

Schedule: 180 days per year, generally following the TRCS Academic Calendar. Includes non-working days during winter, spring, and summer breaks, as well as designated holidays.