Assistant Food Service Manager Jobs in California

Amethod Public Schools (AMPS) is a mission- and values-driven organization. Our mission is to provide a fundamental, rigorous college-preparatory education and character development program that will prepare students from underserved communities to succeed in college and beyond.

Our day-to-day work is embodied by our core organizational values: Students First, Be Adaptable, Lead People, Results-Oriented Mindset (Accountability), Perseverance, Take Responsibility, and a Commitment to be Distinct (Be the Change). We are looking for team members who exude these values and share a deep passion for our mission.

Position Summary

The Food Service Manager & Site Custodian is a vital member of the school site operations team. This dual-focus role splits responsibilities between managing the school's daily meal service and executing daily cleaning and sanitization tasks across the school facility.

The ideal candidate handles food service operations (ordering, compliance, service) with precision, while taking immense pride in maintaining hygienic, and a welcoming environment for students and staff. This role requires an adaptable, trustworthy individual who can work efficiently both during busy meal rushes and independently during cleaning hours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. School Meal Program Management & Compliance

Oversees the reheating and serving of meals (including managing special diets and food allergies) to ensure all requesting students receive high-quality, nutritious meals in accordance with CA Universal Meals mandates.

Operates the cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) terminal at the point of service to strictly record accurate, positive counts for all meals and snacks served.

Executes and compiles daily and monthly meal reports via the electronic school nutrition platform to track total meals served.

Orders sufficient monthly meals based on enrollment; updates monthly menu calendars distributed to families, and promptly resolves delivery issues with the lunch vendor.

Maintains flawless regulatory logs to satisfy state and federal guidelines, including monitoring refrigeration logs and completing daily production sheets.

2. Cafeteria & Food Service Sanitization

Maintains all kitchen equipment, warming units, storage, food preparation, and serving areas in a strictly sanitary condition to comply with health standards.

Thoroughly cleans and sanitizes the cafeteria after meal service periods, including wiping down and disinfecting student lunch tables, countertops, and straightening chairs.

Empties kitchen trash and recycling bins promptly after meal periods to maintain pest control. Identifies and immediately reports any kitchen or warming equipment malfunctions to school leadership.

3. General Site Cleaning & Custodial Duties

Sweeps, mops, dust-mops, and vacuum floors across classrooms, offices, entryways, and hallways daily.

Cleans, disinfects, and polishes desks, tables, and frequently touched surfaces according to school health and safety standards. Dusts furniture, walls, and office equipment.

Services, cleans, stocks, and thoroughly disinfects student and staff restrooms daily. Restocks soap, paper towels, and toilet paper.

Empties trash and recycling bins in all classrooms and common areas daily, transporting garbage to the designated campus dumpster zones.

4. Additional Operations Support

May be required to travel to alternate school sites using a personal vehicle to provide operational cleaning or lunch backup coverage as needed.

Participates in regular team meetings and proactively communicates cleaning supply inventory or software-related data needs to supervisors.

Performs other reasonably assigned operational cleaning duties requested by school site leadership.

Education & Experience

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.

Experience: Previous experience in school food service, data entry/point-of-sale (POS) systems, or institutional school cleaning is highly desirable.

Skills & Abilities

Proficiency in, or direct ability to quickly learn and operate, cloud-based school nutrition point-of-sale (POS) systems, electronic inventory systems, and related administrative platforms to run accurate backend compliance and reimbursement reports. 

Literacy in English Language; ability to follow multi-step instructions and clearly relay data errors or site safety concerns to administration.

Strong organizational skills with a "results-oriented" approach to tracking counting metrics and handling state-mandated compliance paperwork.

Ability to work with minimal supervision and practice efficient time-management to meet rigid food service windows and daily cleaning schedules.

Ability to properly handle, dilute, and store daily cleaning supplies and chemical liquids safely.

Certifications, Clearances & On-Site Expectations

Must successfully pass the ServSafe Food Manager Examination (or achieve certification within a designated timeframe upon hire).

Must pass a mandatory Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint and background clearance.

This position requires on-site presence 100% of the time—telecommuting (Work From Home) arrangements are not available. Please do not apply if you are unable to meet this operational commitment.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Requires ability to stand, walk, and move continuously for extended, uninterrupted periods throughout the school day.

Frequent twisting, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, squatting, pulling, pushing, and reaching overhead (e.g., mopping, wiping low/high surfaces, lifting trash bags, or stocking kitchen shelves).

Must be able to regularly lift, carry, and maneuver objects and loaded trash bags weighing up to 35–40 pounds.

Required to use motor coordination with fine finger dexterity for terminal data input (MealTime register management, running reports) and cleaning operations. Clear close-up and distance vision required.

The position regularly exposes the employee to varying weather conditions and temperatures both inside and outside the facility, as well as exposure to dust, moist/wet conditions, and chemical cleaning products.

Physical Working Environment

The position is in a school building, which may be air conditioned and heated. May be exposed to prolonged noise or weather. This type of work will involve walking, standing, or sitting for extended periods. Stooping, squatting, kneeling, overhead reaching and repetitive bending may be involved frequently with this position. Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far.  Vision, depth perception, providing oral information, and manual dexterity. Must be able to climb stairs and sit for extended periods of time. Requires finger dexterity to operate equipment, handling work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.

AMPS  is strongly committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff, and we encourage applications from traditionally under-­-represented backgrounds. AMPS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnic origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law.

COMPENSATION:

Job Type: This is a full-time, non-exempt, 100% in-person position. 11 month position

Pay: Food Service Manager: $23 - $26 per hour (Commensurate with experience)

Janitor: $24.00 - $30.00 per hour (Commensurate with experience)

To apply:  Visit us at www.amethodschools.org

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.