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Food Service

School cafeteria staff are vital to the school team. By feeding students a nutritious breakfast and lunch, they provide the fuel kids need to learn and grow.

Education & Testing

Required

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Valid Washington State Food Worker Card (also known as Food Handler’s Permit)
  • State/FBI background clearance

May be required for specific jobs

  • Valid Washington State driver’s license
  • Evidence of insurability
  • Sexual harassment training
  • Proof of immunization

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Necessary Knowledge

  • Speak English
  • Add and subtract numbers
  • Serve customers
  • Safely handle food and chemicals
  • Read and comprehend instructions
  • Accommodate food allergies

Desirable Knowledge

  • Speak more than one language
  • Perform first aid/CPR

Basic Skills

  • Read work-related information
  • Maintain student/staff confidentiality
  • Listen to others
  • Follow instructions
  • Keep records
  • Use point-of-sale (POS) software

Social Skills

  • Understand people’s reactions
  • Look for ways to help people

Verbal

  • Communicate orally and in writing
  • Listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • Notice when problems happen
  • Order or arrange things
  • Work independently following established guidelines

Physical Requirements

  • Lift and carry up to 50 lbs
  • Stoop/crouch
  • Reach/handle
  • See near/far

Desired Characteristics

  • Dependable
  • Concerned for others
  • Honest
  • Attentive to detail
  • Cooperative
  • Independent
  • Adaptable/flexible

Similar jobs

  • Fast-food worker
  • Cashier
  • Restaurant server
  • Military cook/cafeteria worker
  • Cafeteria worker
  • Grocery deli clerk

Pay

  • Range: $12.99 – $20.21 per hour
  • Median salary: $25,000/year

Most school food service positions are part-time (up to 6 hours per day) and 180 days per year.

Benefits

Benefits depend on the number of hours worked and the local union-negotiated agreement. They may include the following:

  • Paid holidays
  • Medical, dental, vision insurance
  • State retirement benefits
  • Long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
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