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 Packing Jobs
What is the minimum wage for packing jobs in the United States in 2026?
As per the United States Department of Labor, the federal minimum wage for packing jobs is $7.25 per hour as of 2026, with overtime required at 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. Many warehouse packing positions in states like California pay at least $16.50 per hour under state laws effective January 1, 2026.
Which visa do international applicants need for packing jobs in the United States?
As per the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, temporary non-agricultural packing jobs require an H-2B visa with employer-filed petitions due by the 2026 cap deadlines of January 1 and July 1. Applicants must also hold valid work authorization and pass background checks before starting employment.
What education or prior experience is required for entry-level packing jobs?
As per the United States Department of Labor, packing jobs have no formal education requirement beyond a high school diploma or GED equivalent and provide on-the-job training with zero prior experience needed for most warehouse roles in 2026.
What documents must be submitted when applying for packing jobs?
As per the United States Department of Labor, applicants need a valid photo ID, Social Security card or ITIN, and Form I-9 employment eligibility documents submitted directly to the employer by the 2026 start date. Background checks and drug screenings are completed before the first shift.
