Job Class: 2615

Salary Range: $21.33 - $29.82/hourly

Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt

Length of Appointment: As-Needed

Calendar: Must be able to cover any shift from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m

Location: Must be available to work any shift at any San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) school site.

Who We Are

With an annual budget of $1.17 billion, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is California's seventh-largest school district, serving over 50,000 students who speak more than 44 documented languages across 130 schools. We aim for all SFUSD students to graduate as independent thinkers with a sense of agency, equipped with academic and creative skills to lead productive lives and contribute to our community.

Overview of the Position

As a School Lunchroom Helper, you will report to the School Lunchroom Supervisor and be a part of the Student Nutrition Services Department, helping to ensure high standards in food preparation, food safety, and customer service. You will play a vital role in delivering nutritious and appealing meals to students, while supporting the overall health and well-being of the school community.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

Knowledge of approved food handling practices and the use of cafeteria equipment
Skill in operating Point of Sale (POS) systems and basic computer software
Ability to prepare and serve food efficiently
Ability to clean and sanitize kitchen and cafeteria equipment
Ability to communicate clearly and work collaboratively with diverse staff and students
A proven record of effectively planning, organizing and using resources to take action

Responsibilities

Under general supervision, the School Lunchroom Helper supports daily operations in school kitchens by assisting in the preparation and serving of a variety of food items, maintaining sanitary conditions, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. This position requires the ability to follow established procedures, maintain accurate records, and communicate effectively with students, staff, and faculty. The work involves significant physical effort, exposure to kitchen-related hazards, and occasional contact with unpleasant conditions.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Prepares and heats a variety of food items such as salads, sandwiches, soups, grain and noodle dishes, and bagged lunches following standard menus and recipes
Ensures meals are appetizing, nutritious, and in accordance with SFUSD’s Student Nutrition Program standards
Serves food to students and staff in a courteous and efficient manner.
Maintains high standards of customer service and professional communication (both verbal and written)
Upholds strict food safety and sanitation practices, including compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines
Practices FIFO (First-In, First-Out) inventory management procedures
Maintains cleanliness of kitchen, storage areas, equipment, and utensils; sanitizes work surfaces, tables, and floors
Operates dishwashing equipment and hand-washes kitchen tools and serving trays as required
Uses Point of Sale (POS) system to process transactions, identify reimbursable meals, and maintain student confidentiality regarding meal eligibility
Completes necessary software procedures including logging in/out, entering cash totals, and troubleshooting system errors with guidance from technical support
Maintains accurate documentation and completes required forms and logs as assigned by the supervisor
Participates in staff meetings and mandatory training sessions
Performs additional related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent
Experience: Requires six (6) months of routine kitchen work experience including use of a computer and point of sale software
License/Certification: Requires possession and maintenance of a current Food Safety certification

Who We Want

When you join our team at SFUSD, you can expect to be part of a collaborative, inclusive, and equity-oriented organization that is intensely focused on achieving our student outcome goals. We want talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who are committed to and will champion our Core Values, are inspired by our mission, steeped in equity, and motivated to unleash our students’ potential. We want strong collaborators, skilled communicators, and problem solvers comfortable in a continuous learning community.\

The strongest candidates will have:

Knowledge of approved food handling practices, food preparation and use of cafeteria equipment; and food and supply ordering, receiving and inventory control
Skills to operate basic office equipment including computer, peripherals, telephone
Ability to do the various tasks of a kitchen; meet work schedules and timelines, and work under pressure of deadlines and interruptions; keep records as required; add, subtract, multiply, and divide accurately; work cooperatively with others; understand and carry out oral and written directions; operate a Point of Sale system independently

What We Offer

SFUSD offers a competitive rate of $21.33 - $29.82/hourly commensurate with experience in a similar position. We offer a comprehensive benefits plan including dental and vision plans, a defined benefit pension plan, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options and vacation time. We also offer an inclusive and equity-centered environment where we encourage staff to bring their whole selves to work

How to Apply

Visit careers.sfusd.edu and create a new account to begin your application
Visit careers.sf.gov and begin the application process
You will be prompted to electronically attach a letter of interest, resume, list of professional references and any applicable credentials or licenses
Our Human Resources team will then review your entire application to determine your eligibility status and contact you directly should you move forward in the process

What to Expect in the Application Process

SFUSD is committed to providing a transparent, fair, rigorous, and expedient selection process. At minimum, the selection process may include the following steps:

Application screening
Phone screen
Panel interview 1 (in-person)
Panel interview 2 (in-person)
Reference Check/Employment Verification
- Proof 6 months of paid kitchen work experience, GED/High School Diploma, Food Safety Manager Certification
Offer extended
- Fingerprinting, TB Clearance and Health check up
Onboarding

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification from this and future job opportunities with the San Francisco Unified School District.

Non-Discrimination Policy

San Francisco Unified School District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This policy extends to the San Francisco County Office of Education, including community school programs and activities.

For more information about the District's non-discrimination policy, please review Board Policy 4030.

School Lunchroom Helper (As-Needed)(2615/TEX) 2025-2026