Nutrition Services Staff

Purpose:

The Nutrition Services Assistant supports Arco Iris by preparing and serving meals to students in a sanitary, efficient, and customer  friendly manner and keeping accurate records to support NSLP compliance.

Reports to: Executive Director

Nature & Scope:

The Nutrition Services Assistant works independently following standardized routines established by the school. The nature of the work requires strict adherence to policies,  procedures,  and  regulations.  The  incumbent  interfaces  and  problem-­solves  with students,  school  administrative  staff,  nutrition  services  colleagues,  teachers  and  non­‐licensed school staff. Because this job involves frequent interaction with students and parents, the position requires a high level of professional decorum, calm, and ability to act as a role model to young people. The incumbent does not have supervisory responsibilities, but may provide guidance and assistance to regular, temporary, or substitute employees, as required.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Conducts oneself in the best interest of students, in accordance with the highest traditions of public education and in support of the school’s


2. Prepares and serves appropriate quantities of food in a timely manner, assuring proper quality and quantity of food prepared.


3. Prepares and assembles a variety of hot and cold entrées, fruits, vegetables, and other foods.


4. Follows written menus, production records and production standards.


5. Prepares food service facilities for the serving of food.


6. Minimizes waste.


7. Operates a variety of standard kitchen equipment such as an oven,  dishwasher, and food warmer following proper procedures.


8. Follows Nutrition Services Department Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) standard operating procedures (SOPs) for food safety and sanitation in the receiving and storage of supplies; in food preparation; service of food; in storage, disposal or donation of leftovers; in cleaning and maintaining equipment and work areas.


9. Completes and maintains records of meals served, temperature logs, Daily Vendor Receipts (DVRs), and other logs as required by the Child Nutrition Program and National School Lunch Program standards.


10. Washes and cleans kitchen tables and food preparation areas


11. Washes and stores equipment -  lifts moderately heavy objects.


12. Provides inventory and product usage information to Lead for ordering and record keeping purposes as required. 


13. Assists other personnel for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.


14. Assists with training of new employees and parent volunteers


15. Monitors equipment operation and reports concerns and needs as required.


16. Create monthly menus, submit for distribution and consolidate orders to send to the vendor


17. Coordinate delivery of meals with the school vendor


18. Assist with compliance of National School Lunch Program (NSLP)


19. Participates in required hours of annual continuing education, per federal law.


20. Maintains effective working relationships with other members of the school as well as other school personnel and community members, including those from diverse cultures or backgrounds or those who speak limited or no English.


21. Complies with all procedures outlined in the Staff Handbook and other Arco Iris school Policies and Procedures.

The statements contained above reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job but should not be considered an all-­‐inclusive listing of  work  requirements. Individuals may at times perform other duties as assigned which could include work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. 

Required Qualifications:

1. Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.


2. Must pass a criminal background check.


3. Must be able to read, write, and speak English.


4. Must be able to read, understand, and follow multi-­step written and verbal instructions in English.


5. Must be able to perform basic math sufficient to complete routine addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages and fractions computations with ease and accuracy.


6. Must possess a valid Food Handlers Card.


7. Must be able to record data.


8. Must be able to attend mandatory training, scheduled in-­‐services, and educational events sponsored by Arco Iris School outside of regular hours.


9. Must possess basic familiarity of working with a computer for data entry as well as functions of e-‐mail.

Working Conditions:

The Nutrition Services Assistant works primarily in a school kitchen. The work environment is often loud and includes exposure to hot surfaces, steam heat, cold temperatures in cooler/freezer areas, cleaning solvents and vibration with some equipment. Other potential exposures and hazards include but are not limited to: chemicals,  fumes,  communicable  diseases,  sharp  objects,  power/hand-­‐operated  equipment and machinery, pinch points, odors and slippery surfaces.

The Nutrition Services Assistant will constantly stand or walk while performing kitchen food preparation  duties on tile/concrete surfaces. The  job involves moderate to fast-­‐paced walking to meet daily timelines.

The Nutrition Services Assistant must:

a. Lifting/Carrying. Constantly lift up to 10 lbs.; frequently lift up to 20 lbs.; and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.; and must carry loads up to 15 feet.
b. Pushing/Pulling. Constantly exert a force up to 10 pounds while stocking supplies and using wheeled cart to move food and supplies; frequently exert a force of up to 20 pounds; and occasionally exert a force up to 50 lbs., and intermittently exert a force (push/pull) up to 75 lbs.
c. Climbing. Infrequently climb using step stools while retrieving or replacing items in stock room, freezer or storage areas.
d. Bending/Twisting. Constantly bend or twist, at waist/knees, while preparing food, removing cookware and/or supplies from lower shelf, or cleaning/sanitizing.
e. Kneeling/Crouching. Occasionally kneel and crouch, removing items from lower shelves or replacing them, or cleaning below counter level.
f. Using hands/arms. Constantly use both hands and both arms.
g. Handling/Grasping. Constantly must reach, handle, grip, grasp and finger while performing food preparation, handling supplies and materials, cleaning and wiping.
h. Reaching. Frequently or constantly extend-­‐reach, including occasional overhead reaching.
i. Seeing/Hearing/Smelling/Speaking.

a. Sight is required to closely inspect for work area and food product cleanliness, preparation and presentation, and to read instructions and to maintain sanitized work areas.
b. Hearing is required to listen for voice conversations, food preparation  equipment signals, and school alarms for safety purposes.
c. Sense of smell required in preparing food.
d. Speaking is required in order to communicate with customers, colleagues, students, and students.