SY 25-26 Food Services Assistant
Company
The School District of Philadelphia
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Job Type
Full-time
Posted
22 hours ago
Via
via LinkedIn
Apply On
Job Description
DISCLOSURE: This position requires both a written and an oral exam for consideration. For internal candidates, please apply through the Employee Portal for consideration.
Job Summary
Assists in the preparation and service of food within School District of Philadelphia facilities. Cleans food preparation and/or service areas. Work may involve cooking the main entrees and/or other items in a full-service cafeteria by following standardized recipes, serving and/or cashiering in a lunchroom or maintaining an accurate count of items produced and sold. Operates a compliant Point of Service (POS) and POS computer system/terminal.
Essential Functions
• Counts the number of items prepared and served.
• Places food on serving counter; serves food to children or adults in a lunchroom; receives money and makes change.
• Operates a compliant POS and POS computer system/terminal.
• Washes pots, pans, trays and other utensils; cleans preparation and/or service areas; may perform heavier cleaning tasks periodically; may sweep and mop floor in kitchen area.
• Cooks the main entrees or other items in a full-service cafeteria following prescribed menus and standardized recipes.
• Collects, sorts and counts bills and coins received from lunchroom sales.
• May count the number of items prepared and sold; may generate end-of-day reports from POS computer system/terminal.
• Removes trash form kitchen and cafeteria.
• May prepare food on grill, including but not limited to hamburgers and hotdogs.
• Assembles sandwiches, slices meat, and chops vegetables, prepares salad and fruit dishes; bakes desserts or breads; prepares desserts and portions into serving containers.
Minimum Requirements
• Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• food preparation techniques for both hot and cold food entrees and a la carte food items
• the health and sanitation aspects of food handling and preparation
• public health aspects related to food handling and preparation
• the materials, equipment, methods and techniques of preparing food in quantities of three hundred meals or more
• Demonstrated skill in:
• the use and care of equipment used in food preparation and services
• the preparation of a variety of main dishes from standardized recipes
• Ability to:
• adhere to established time schedules for food preparation
• perform mathematical calculations
• maintain personal cleanliness
• read, write in English and count accurately
• operate a compliant Point of Service and Point of Service computer system/terminal and/or roster
• understand and follow oral and written instructions in English
• establish and maintain effective working relationships
Minimum Requirements:
• Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade;
• Two years of full-time, paid food services experience in a large-scale institutional environment which has included the School Food Service, Principles of Quantity Food Production, and ServeSafe Sanitation Program.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Additional Information
References ADA, 42 U.S.C.S, Section 12113 (d) – Person in job must not have nor contract any disease listed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Such person may be removed from their job pursuant to the American with Disability Act and due process.
Primary Location
The School District of Philadelphia
Job
Food Services
Organization
The School District of Philadelphia
Schedule
Regular
Employee Status
Entry Level
Job Posting
May 4, 2026, 10:25:24 AM
Union Affiliation
Local 634 UNITE HERE (634)
Overtime Status
Non-exempt
Unposting Date
Ongoing
Job Summary
Assists in the preparation and service of food within School District of Philadelphia facilities. Cleans food preparation and/or service areas. Work may involve cooking the main entrees and/or other items in a full-service cafeteria by following standardized recipes, serving and/or cashiering in a lunchroom or maintaining an accurate count of items produced and sold. Operates a compliant Point of Service (POS) and POS computer system/terminal.
Essential Functions
• Counts the number of items prepared and served.
• Places food on serving counter; serves food to children or adults in a lunchroom; receives money and makes change.
• Operates a compliant POS and POS computer system/terminal.
• Washes pots, pans, trays and other utensils; cleans preparation and/or service areas; may perform heavier cleaning tasks periodically; may sweep and mop floor in kitchen area.
• Cooks the main entrees or other items in a full-service cafeteria following prescribed menus and standardized recipes.
• Collects, sorts and counts bills and coins received from lunchroom sales.
• May count the number of items prepared and sold; may generate end-of-day reports from POS computer system/terminal.
• Removes trash form kitchen and cafeteria.
• May prepare food on grill, including but not limited to hamburgers and hotdogs.
• Assembles sandwiches, slices meat, and chops vegetables, prepares salad and fruit dishes; bakes desserts or breads; prepares desserts and portions into serving containers.
Minimum Requirements
• Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• food preparation techniques for both hot and cold food entrees and a la carte food items
• the health and sanitation aspects of food handling and preparation
• public health aspects related to food handling and preparation
• the materials, equipment, methods and techniques of preparing food in quantities of three hundred meals or more
• Demonstrated skill in:
• the use and care of equipment used in food preparation and services
• the preparation of a variety of main dishes from standardized recipes
• Ability to:
• adhere to established time schedules for food preparation
• perform mathematical calculations
• maintain personal cleanliness
• read, write in English and count accurately
• operate a compliant Point of Service and Point of Service computer system/terminal and/or roster
• understand and follow oral and written instructions in English
• establish and maintain effective working relationships
Minimum Requirements:
• Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade;
• Two years of full-time, paid food services experience in a large-scale institutional environment which has included the School Food Service, Principles of Quantity Food Production, and ServeSafe Sanitation Program.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Additional Information
References ADA, 42 U.S.C.S, Section 12113 (d) – Person in job must not have nor contract any disease listed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Such person may be removed from their job pursuant to the American with Disability Act and due process.
Primary Location
The School District of Philadelphia
Job
Food Services
Organization
The School District of Philadelphia
Schedule
Regular
Employee Status
Entry Level
Job Posting
May 4, 2026, 10:25:24 AM
Union Affiliation
Local 634 UNITE HERE (634)
Overtime Status
Non-exempt
Unposting Date
Ongoing
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about Cleaning Staff Jobs
What is the federal minimum wage for cleaning staff jobs in the United States as of 2026?
The U.S. Department of Labor sets the federal minimum wage at $7.25 per hour for cleaning staff positions as of January 1, 2026. Employers must pay 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Twenty-seven states enforce higher minimums including $16.50 per hour in Washington state effective January 1, 2026.
How many hours per week and what leave benefits apply to cleaning staff under federal law in 2026?
The U.S. Department of Labor requires cleaning staff to receive overtime pay after 40 hours in a workweek as of 2026. Full-time employees qualify for up to 12 weeks of unpaid Family and Medical Leave after 12 months of employment and 1,250 hours worked. No federal paid sick leave mandate exists but 14 states require at least 40 hours of paid sick leave annually starting January 1, 2026.
What education and experience are required for cleaning staff jobs in the United States?
The U.S. Department of Labor lists no formal education requirement for cleaning staff positions as of 2026. Most employers accept applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent and 0-6 months of prior experience. Background checks are mandatory for 78 percent of janitorial contracts under federal facility standards.
What documents are needed to apply for cleaning staff jobs through official U.S. government channels in 2026?
Applicants must submit Form I-9 employment eligibility verification and a valid Social Security card to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as of 2026. A state-issued photo ID and proof of address dated within 30 days are also required for most federal contractor positions. No application fee is permitted under DOL rules.
