Food Service Assistant (Part-time): Mesa, AZ
Bezos Academy, Arizona City, AZ, United States
Food Service Assistant (Part-time): Mesa, AZ
As a Food Service Assistant at Bezos Academy, you’ll help provide nutritious, compliant meals to children at our tuition‑free, Montessori‑inspired preschool and provide direct support with a variety of additional tasks both in and out of the classroom. You will manage all aspects of food preparation and service with strong attention to detail, organization, and adherence to safety protocols. Key responsibilities include preparing CACFP‑compliant menus, placing food orders and managing food costs, receiving and verifying food deliveries, ensuring all meals are delivered to classrooms on time, and managing all clean‑up, organization, and documentation. Assuming full ownership of the kitchen and food operations at the school, you will serve meals in accordance with USDA requirements, Bezos Academy policies, and local childcare regulations.
Beyond the kitchen, you will assist school staff and administration with a variety of tasks including inventory checks, laundry, and other ad hoc duties. As needed, you will also occasionally step into classrooms to provide direct supervision and support to the children. You will become an integral part of your school team working to improve processes and provide an excellent preschool experience where we nurture every child’s full potential.
LOCATION
Part‑time, non‑exempt/hourly position requiring a minimum of 25 hours per week, with occasional opportunities to work additional hours based on school needs.
Five‑hour shift, Monday through Friday, totaling 25 hours per week. Specific school schedules are determined by school leaders when considering all staff, classroom, and community needs, but are currently expected to be
7:30 am‑12:30 pm .
Compensation for this position is
$19‑$28 per hour . The upper third of the compensation range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and who demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting compensation will vary by qualifications and prior experience.
Benefits include paid sick (care) time, accrued based on hours worked, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Age 18 with high school diploma or GED
Ability to pass background checks and complete all trainings required by the Arizona Department of Children, Youth, and Families upon hire
Knowledge of cooking methods and procedures, including various types of preparation
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods of time, and perform a variety of repetitive tasks to prepare and serve food safely
Experience working in an institutional or highly regulated kitchen/food setting with a clear understanding of food preparation best practices and protocols
Active and current food worker card
Understanding of Arizona food and beverage worker manual
Ability to speak, read, and write English fluently
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Two or more years of experience working in a school (preschool, early childhood education, daycare, or K‑12 environment) or similar kitchen setting
Working knowledge of food allergens, intolerances, preferences, and accommodations
Prior experience as an Assistant Teacher in a preschool setting
Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or two years of post‑secondary coursework in Early Childhood Education
Experience with Montessori pedagogy
Experience with children with special needs
Fluent in Spanish
RESPONSIBILITIES
Food Service and Site Operations
Place weekly food orders with the vendor based on student attendance trends and food waste analysis
Receive and verify daily food deliveries to ensure accuracy with order quantities and alignment with the approved menu. If meals are non‑compliant, follow the Emergency Food SOP
Manage all aspects of routine vendor performance to ensure the vendor is meeting or exceeding expectations
Ensure all meals served to students are compliant and document any menu changes on menu
Track food consumption and waste daily to ensure food costs remain as lean and efficient as possible
Prepare and serve meals and utensils to classrooms for each scheduled meal service
Maintain compliance with strict food hygiene and safety protocols at all times and maintain compliance with all state and local jurisdictional requirements
Ensure the kitchen, equipment, serving utensils, cookware, and dishes are consistently cleaned, sanitized, and well‑maintained
Manage and organize food inventory, including proper labeling, dating, rotating stock, and discarding items nearing expiration in accordance with food safety guidelines
Record and log food temperatures prior to each meal service to ensure compliance with safety regulations
Accommodate children’s special dietary needs, including allergies, medical restrictions, and cultural or religious food requirements
Assist in serving meals during family engagement and school events as needed
Added responsibilities if food is prepared on‑site:
Place weekly groceries orders based on the menu and current inventory
Receive and verify food delivery and follow up with vendor if food delivered is incorrect based on the order or spoiled
Prepare meals according to the planned menu and adapt recipes for dietary restrictions (allergies, religious diets, vegetarian, etc.)
Prepare meals on a schedule (breakfast/lunch/snack)
Adapt the menu (make substitutions) to avoid food spoilage and waste following the Menu Substitution SOP
Help plan menus that are nutritious, budget‑friendly, and appealing to students
Added responsibilities if school is under CACFP:
Ensure vendor provides a delivery receipt and keep it for 3 years
Children receive the appropriate portion sizes for each meal pattern component by providing correctly sized serving utensils and clearly communicating the required serving sizes to classroom staff upon meal delivery
Review meal counts for accuracy and upload into SharePoint weekly
If there are any menu substitutions, provide the necessary menu‑supporting documentation (CN label, product formulation statement, Nutrition Facts, standardized recipe)
Attend the required annual sponsor CACFP training that includes meal pattern, reimbursement, meal counts, claims, recordkeeping, and civil rights
Clock in/out of Workday based on food‑related responsibilities
Classroom Support
Provide classroom coverage as needed
Assist teachers with the full implementation of Bezos Academy’s performance standards, policies, and procedures
Support Bezos Academy classrooms by following regulations and guidelines in the day‑to‑day operation of the classroom (i.e., cleaning materials, meal prep, nap time transitions, etc.)
Organize materials and clean the workspace to facilitate the learning process for each child
Support children’s increasing independence with daily living skills (i.e., washing hands, using the bathroom, eating meals and snacks, cleaning up, etc.)
Provide 1:1 support for children who are experiencing big feelings
Develop positive relationships with children
Other
Assist the Head of School and school staff in other operational duties in the school as necessary when the kitchen work is complete (e.g., support with laundry, front desk support, and other duties as assigned by the Head of School)
Participate in team meetings, center activities, and staff development
EEO Statement
As set forth in Bezos Academy’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.
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As a Food Service Assistant at Bezos Academy, you’ll help provide nutritious, compliant meals to children at our tuition‑free, Montessori‑inspired preschool and provide direct support with a variety of additional tasks both in and out of the classroom. You will manage all aspects of food preparation and service with strong attention to detail, organization, and adherence to safety protocols. Key responsibilities include preparing CACFP‑compliant menus, placing food orders and managing food costs, receiving and verifying food deliveries, ensuring all meals are delivered to classrooms on time, and managing all clean‑up, organization, and documentation. Assuming full ownership of the kitchen and food operations at the school, you will serve meals in accordance with USDA requirements, Bezos Academy policies, and local childcare regulations.
Beyond the kitchen, you will assist school staff and administration with a variety of tasks including inventory checks, laundry, and other ad hoc duties. As needed, you will also occasionally step into classrooms to provide direct supervision and support to the children. You will become an integral part of your school team working to improve processes and provide an excellent preschool experience where we nurture every child’s full potential.
LOCATION
Part‑time, non‑exempt/hourly position requiring a minimum of 25 hours per week, with occasional opportunities to work additional hours based on school needs.
Five‑hour shift, Monday through Friday, totaling 25 hours per week. Specific school schedules are determined by school leaders when considering all staff, classroom, and community needs, but are currently expected to be
7:30 am‑12:30 pm .
Compensation for this position is
$19‑$28 per hour . The upper third of the compensation range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and who demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting compensation will vary by qualifications and prior experience.
Benefits include paid sick (care) time, accrued based on hours worked, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Age 18 with high school diploma or GED
Ability to pass background checks and complete all trainings required by the Arizona Department of Children, Youth, and Families upon hire
Knowledge of cooking methods and procedures, including various types of preparation
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods of time, and perform a variety of repetitive tasks to prepare and serve food safely
Experience working in an institutional or highly regulated kitchen/food setting with a clear understanding of food preparation best practices and protocols
Active and current food worker card
Understanding of Arizona food and beverage worker manual
Ability to speak, read, and write English fluently
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Two or more years of experience working in a school (preschool, early childhood education, daycare, or K‑12 environment) or similar kitchen setting
Working knowledge of food allergens, intolerances, preferences, and accommodations
Prior experience as an Assistant Teacher in a preschool setting
Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or two years of post‑secondary coursework in Early Childhood Education
Experience with Montessori pedagogy
Experience with children with special needs
Fluent in Spanish
RESPONSIBILITIES
Food Service and Site Operations
Place weekly food orders with the vendor based on student attendance trends and food waste analysis
Receive and verify daily food deliveries to ensure accuracy with order quantities and alignment with the approved menu. If meals are non‑compliant, follow the Emergency Food SOP
Manage all aspects of routine vendor performance to ensure the vendor is meeting or exceeding expectations
Ensure all meals served to students are compliant and document any menu changes on menu
Track food consumption and waste daily to ensure food costs remain as lean and efficient as possible
Prepare and serve meals and utensils to classrooms for each scheduled meal service
Maintain compliance with strict food hygiene and safety protocols at all times and maintain compliance with all state and local jurisdictional requirements
Ensure the kitchen, equipment, serving utensils, cookware, and dishes are consistently cleaned, sanitized, and well‑maintained
Manage and organize food inventory, including proper labeling, dating, rotating stock, and discarding items nearing expiration in accordance with food safety guidelines
Record and log food temperatures prior to each meal service to ensure compliance with safety regulations
Accommodate children’s special dietary needs, including allergies, medical restrictions, and cultural or religious food requirements
Assist in serving meals during family engagement and school events as needed
Added responsibilities if food is prepared on‑site:
Place weekly groceries orders based on the menu and current inventory
Receive and verify food delivery and follow up with vendor if food delivered is incorrect based on the order or spoiled
Prepare meals according to the planned menu and adapt recipes for dietary restrictions (allergies, religious diets, vegetarian, etc.)
Prepare meals on a schedule (breakfast/lunch/snack)
Adapt the menu (make substitutions) to avoid food spoilage and waste following the Menu Substitution SOP
Help plan menus that are nutritious, budget‑friendly, and appealing to students
Added responsibilities if school is under CACFP:
Ensure vendor provides a delivery receipt and keep it for 3 years
Children receive the appropriate portion sizes for each meal pattern component by providing correctly sized serving utensils and clearly communicating the required serving sizes to classroom staff upon meal delivery
Review meal counts for accuracy and upload into SharePoint weekly
If there are any menu substitutions, provide the necessary menu‑supporting documentation (CN label, product formulation statement, Nutrition Facts, standardized recipe)
Attend the required annual sponsor CACFP training that includes meal pattern, reimbursement, meal counts, claims, recordkeeping, and civil rights
Clock in/out of Workday based on food‑related responsibilities
Classroom Support
Provide classroom coverage as needed
Assist teachers with the full implementation of Bezos Academy’s performance standards, policies, and procedures
Support Bezos Academy classrooms by following regulations and guidelines in the day‑to‑day operation of the classroom (i.e., cleaning materials, meal prep, nap time transitions, etc.)
Organize materials and clean the workspace to facilitate the learning process for each child
Support children’s increasing independence with daily living skills (i.e., washing hands, using the bathroom, eating meals and snacks, cleaning up, etc.)
Provide 1:1 support for children who are experiencing big feelings
Develop positive relationships with children
Other
Assist the Head of School and school staff in other operational duties in the school as necessary when the kitchen work is complete (e.g., support with laundry, front desk support, and other duties as assigned by the Head of School)
Participate in team meetings, center activities, and staff development
EEO Statement
As set forth in Bezos Academy’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.
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