Title:

Cafeteria Substitute - Hourly

Work Unit:

Student Nutrition Department

Reports To:

Student Nutrition Department Director(s)/Cafeteria Manager

Contract Length:

Hourly

Pay Schedule:

Hourly

Overtime Status:

Exempt

Hours:

Variable

Union Status:

Non-union

Licensure:

NM Food Handler

Note: All positions with Santa Fe Public Schools require a post-offer/pre-employment background check. Some positions have additional requirements as established by federal or state rules and regulations.

General Function:
Fill absences or vacancies for kitchen staff in cafeterias as needed. Expected to drive to and work in any kitchen in the district. Prepares and serves attractive, nutritious, and palatable cafeteria meals in an efficient, pleasant, and clean environment, while meeting standards for child nutrition programs, complying with sanitation standards, and district policies.

Education/Training/Experience:
Minimum: Must have or obtain a Food Handler Certificate. Repeat work placement depends upon consistently meeting performance standards and beginning the training program for the cook/cashier position.
Preferred: Cooking/kitchen experience. Bilingual English - Spanish.

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:
Ability to follow directions for food preparation, service, and cleanup. Ability to work safely and follow sanitation procedures. Ability to serve correct portions as instructed by the foodservice manager. Ability to learn requirements for the school meal programs. Ability to understand and follow recipes.

Essential Job Functions:
Performs all functions in accordance with established policies, procedures, safety and environmental regulations, facility and computer security policies and procedures. Functions are subject to change over time to meet the organization's needs. Current essential functions include the following:

Complies with department rules, procedures, administrative directives and regulations, district policies and procedures, and federal, state, and local regulations.
Prepares or assists in the preparation, service, and cleanup of foods using menus, standardized recipes, and designated portion sizes, and follows district sanitation procedures.
Records food used on Food Production Worksheets accurately to account for usage.
Stores, utilizes, and disposes of food and supplies by following federal, state, and local regulations.
Follows sanitation and safety standards in the cleanup and operation of the kitchen and kitchen equipment.
Practices a "clean as you go" policy to keep work areas clean and sanitized.
Serves food to students and adults in a friendly and appetizing manner while meeting the correct portion requirements.
Responsible for making sure the foodservice manager verifies and initials the time worked at each site on the timesheet. Turns in the signed timesheet to the Student Nutrition Office by the established due dates.
Takes and passes assessment tests quarterly or as needed to ensure understanding of job requirements and program requirements.
Willingness to work toward meeting all performance standards and learn skills required for the cook position to be ready to consider moving into a permanent position.
Performs other relevant tasks as required.

Salary Range:
$17.50 per hour

Resources Used in Performing the Job Include (but are not limited to):
Manual and mechanical kitchen equipment, such as knives, can openers, scales, serving equipment, etc., as well as institutional cooking equipment such as mixers, ovens, steamers, dishwashers, etc. Must read and follow recipes, menus, and food production worksheets. Kitchen sanitation, cleaning equipment, and supplies.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:
Regularly required to stand; move throughout the room and/or facility, communicate verbally and electronically, use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. Occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, and drive. Regularly required to lift or exert force of up to 25 pounds. Frequently required to lift or exert force of up to 50 pounds and occasionally required to lift or exert force of up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Must maintain a driver’s license and personal vehicle to travel between school sites.

Environmental Conditions:
Primary work setting is indoors in a school cafeteria; outdoor meal service activities may be required on occasion. The cafeteria environment may be hot, humid, loud, and chaotic during meal service. Use of certain kitchen equipment can be hazardous. The environment may be hectic with frequent interruptions and noise. Significant contact with children of all ages.

Personal Accountability:

Demonstrates reliability as evidenced by attendance records and punctuality.
Properly notifies supervisor and/or designee of absences or tardiness.
Begins and completes work within the allotted time.
Consistently appears in attire appropriate to the work environment.
Demonstrates skill in the use of equipment, including its capabilities, limitations, and appropriate/special applications.
Protects the district’s resources through appropriate and careful use of supplies and equipment.
Utilizes appropriate body mechanics to aid in the prevention of muscle strain/injury.

Santa Fe Public Schools does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, medical/genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

2026-2027 SY: Cafeteria Substitute - Hourly