Food Service Helper I (2026-2027)

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT

The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged the Superintendent with improving student achievement, and she is seeking a dedicated and diverse team of educators to partner with her in moving the district toward its goals.

The Syracuse City School District represents 35 schools and programs, including 6 high schools, 6 middle schools, 6 K-8 schools, 13 elementary schools, and 4 alternative education programs, serving approximately 19,000 students Pre-K–12. Of these students, 82.3% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 20.1% are served by the Office of Special Education, and 83% are students of color. 

LOCATIONS & HOURS:

• May vary depending on availability.
• The Food Service Department will confirm the location once an offer is made.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves assisting in the preparation and serving of food, cleaning kitchen equipment and other light manual tasks incidental to the preparation of food in a school cafeteria. This is routine work, performed under direct supervision, consisting of food preparation and service such as preparing foods for cooking, placing food on trays and serving in dining area. Depending on the area of assignment, an employee in this class may participate in cooking food. However, cooking food should not be a regular or recurring function of an employee in this position. Assignments from supervisors are continuous and specific in nature and finished work is reviewed by inspection and observation of results obtained. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Cleans kitchens and dining rooms; performs a variety of cleaning and custodial work including washing dishes, pots and pans;
• Places juice, bread, butter and cereals on trays and carts;
• Stocks storeroom with supplies;
• Helps prepare salads, desserts, vegetables, soups and other hot foods;
• Prepares sandwich fillings and sandwiches;
• Sets up and refills food counter;
• Puts leftover food away;
• May reheat prepared food as needed to appropriate temperature;
• Opens canned foods and prepares them for serving;
• Takes food carts from kitchen to serving area;
• May inventory food and supplies;
• Operates cash register in cafeteria and maintains record of transactions.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of sanitation and personal hygiene as applied to food service and preparation.
• Working knowledge of the care and use of food service equipment and cooking utensils.
• Working knowledge of basic arithmetic.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to operate a cash register.
• Cleanliness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS None.

SALARY/COMPENSATION:

Salary will vary depending on location and per the Unit 7 contractual agreement.