Cafeteria Helper Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Position Type:
Food Service/School Cafeteria Monitor (Part-Time)
Date Posted:
8/31/2026
Location:
Middle Road Elementary School
Date Available:
10/01/2026
PART-TIME ELEMENTARY CAFETERIA MONITOR
POSITION INFORMATION
Position Title
Part-Time Elementary Cafeteria Monitor
Position Classification
Student Support
Department
School-Based
Reports To
Building Principal or Designee
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Employment Status
Part-Time
Work Schedule
Approximately 3 Hours Per Day During Student Lunch Blocks
Work Calendar
School-Year / Student Attendance Days
Salary Scale
Grade 2001 - Hourly Pay Scale ($16.37/hr. - $25.31/hr. based on previous experiences)
Work Location
Assigned Elementary School
Supervises
Students During Assigned Lunch Periods
Revision Date
August 2026
POSITION SUMMARY
The Part-Time Elementary Cafeteria Monitor provides supervision and support to elementary students during scheduled lunch periods while helping maintain a safe, welcoming, orderly, and clean cafeteria environment. This position provides school-based lunch supervision that supports the school's ability to provide classroom teachers with a duty-free lunch period. The Cafeteria Monitor assists students with lunch-related needs, reinforces schoolwide behavioral expectations, monitors student conduct and safety, communicates behavioral or other concerns to appropriate school personnel, and collaborates with school administrators, teachers, custodians, and food service staff to support the efficient operation of the cafeteria. The position is scheduled primarily during the school's student lunch blocks for approximately three hours per workday.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are representative of the responsibilities associated with this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.
Student Supervision and Support

• Provides active supervision of elementary students during assigned lunch periods.
• Maintains an orderly, safe, respectful, and positive cafeteria environment.
• Assists students with entering the cafeteria, locating appropriate seating, moving through the cafeteria, and transitioning to and from lunch.
• Reinforces schoolwide expectations, cafeteria procedures, appropriate table manners, and respectful student behavior.
• Monitors students throughout the lunch period to promote appropriate conduct and promptly address minor behavioral concerns.
• Uses positive reinforcement, redirection, and other school-approved strategies to encourage appropriate student behavior.
• Reports significant, repeated, or concerning student behavior to the appropriate teacher, administrator, or other designated school employee.
• Communicates relevant information regarding individual student or class behavior to teachers or administrators following the lunch period when appropriate.
• Monitors student interactions and promptly responds to situations that may present a safety concern.
• Supports students in developing age-appropriate independence and responsibility during lunch.

Student Meal Assistance

• Assists students as needed with opening milk cartons, food packages, containers, condiment packets, utensils, and other lunch items.
• Provides age-appropriate assistance to younger students who may need help managing their meals.
• Assists students with the proper disposal of food, trays, containers, and other waste.
• Encourages students to maintain a clean eating area and properly dispose of trash and meal-related materials.
• Provides assistance without unnecessarily interfering with students' independence or food choices.
• Refers student dietary, allergy, medical, or other food-related concerns to appropriate school personnel rather than independently making decisions regarding a student's meal.

Cafeteria Organization and Cleanliness

• Helps maintain a clean, organized, and structured cafeteria throughout scheduled lunch periods.
• Cleans and wipes cafeteria tables and seating areas between classes or lunch groups to prepare the area for incoming students.
• Responds to minor spills and other routine cleaning needs that occur during lunch periods.
• Promptly reports significant spills, safety hazards, maintenance concerns, or other facility needs to custodial staff.
• Collaborates with custodial staff to support timely cleaning of the cafeteria between lunch groups.
• Collaborates with food service staff to support orderly student movement, meal service, waste disposal, and cafeteria routines.
• Assists in maintaining clear walkways and an environment that supports safe student movement.
• Helps ensure the cafeteria is appropriately prepared for the next scheduled group of students.

Collaboration and Communication

• Works collaboratively with administrators, teachers, food service associates, custodians, and other school personnel to maintain an effective lunch program.
• Communicates student behavioral concerns and noteworthy incidents promptly and professionally to appropriate school personnel.
• Follows school-established procedures for student supervision, behavior management, emergency response, cafeteria routines, and transitions.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding student information and behavioral matters.
• Interacts with students in a positive, patient, respectful, and developmentally appropriate manner.
• Maintains professional and cooperative relationships with colleagues and other members of the school community.
• Seeks assistance from teachers, administrators, school nurses, or other appropriate personnel when a student's needs exceed the scope of the Cafeteria Monitor's responsibilities.

Safety and Emergency Responsibilities

• Maintains active awareness of student safety throughout assigned lunch periods.
• Immediately reports injuries, illnesses, choking incidents, allergic reactions, unsafe conditions, significant behavioral incidents, or other emergencies to appropriate school personnel.
• Follows established school emergency procedures and staff directions during drills and emergency situations.
• Knows the appropriate procedures for requesting assistance from the school nurse, administrator, teacher, custodian, or other school personnel.
• Reports suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with applicable law, School Board policy, and division procedures.
• Participates in required training related to student supervision, safety, emergency procedures, and other responsibilities associated with the position.

Additional Responsibilities

• Reports to the assigned work location on time and remains available throughout scheduled lunch periods.
• Maintains a professional appearance appropriate for an active school environment and wears clothing and footwear that permit safe movement and performance of assigned responsibilities.
• Follows all Prince George County Public Schools policies, regulations, procedures, and employee expectations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the building principal or designee to support the safe and efficient operation of student lunch periods and the school.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Ability to effectively supervise and interact with elementary-aged children in a positive, patient, friendly, and respectful manner.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a school-based team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, teachers, administrators, food service staff, custodians, and other school personnel.
• Ability to communicate student behavioral or safety concerns clearly and professionally.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding student and school information.
• Ability to learn and consistently apply schoolwide expectations, cafeteria procedures, safety practices, and student supervision requirements.
• Ability to remain calm, attentive, and responsive in a busy environment with multiple students and competing demands.
• Ability to adjust to changing schedules, student needs, and school routines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with elementary-aged children.
• Previous experience in a school, childcare, youth program, cafeteria, recreation, or other child-centered environment.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The Part-Time Elementary Cafeteria Monitor should demonstrate:

• Ability to provide active and effective supervision of groups of elementary students.
• Ability to establish positive rapport with children while maintaining appropriate adult-student boundaries and behavioral expectations.
• Ability to recognize unsafe conditions, student conflicts, behavioral concerns, and situations requiring assistance from other school personnel.
• Ability to use positive reinforcement and appropriate redirection techniques.
• Ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with students and staff.
• Ability to work cooperatively with teachers, administrators, food service employees, and custodial staff.
• Ability to maintain composure and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced and sometimes noisy environment.
• Ability to organize tasks and respond efficiently during short transitions between student lunch groups.
• Ability to understand the importance of confidentiality and appropriately handle student-related information.
• Ability to follow established health, sanitation, safety, and emergency procedures.
• Ability to work reliably and independently with appropriate supervision.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Requires prolonged periods of standing and walking, generally throughout the assigned three-hour work period.
• Regularly requires bending, reaching, stooping, grasping, pushing, pulling, and repetitive hand and arm movements.
• Requires sufficient mobility to circulate continuously throughout the cafeteria while actively supervising students.
• Requires sufficient visual and auditory ability to monitor student activity and identify behavioral, health, or safety concerns in a busy environment.
• Requires manual dexterity to assist students with food packages, containers, utensils, and other lunch-related items.
• May require lifting, carrying, or moving cafeteria supplies, materials, or equipment of moderate weight.
• Requires the ability to respond promptly to spills, student needs, and safety concerns.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed primarily in an elementary school cafeteria during student lunch periods. The work environment is active and fast-paced and may include elevated noise levels, frequent student movement, food odors, temperature variations, spills, and exposure to food and cleaning products normally associated with a school cafeteria. The employee works in close proximity to large groups of elementary-aged students and must remain attentive and actively engaged in student supervision throughout assigned lunch periods. The position requires regular collaboration with school administrators, teachers, food service staff, custodial staff, and other school personnel.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Part-time, hourly position scheduled for approximately three (3) hours per day during designated student lunch blocks on assigned school days.
Compensation is based on Grade 2001 of the approved hourly pay scale. Work hours and schedule are established by the building principal based on the school's lunch schedule and operational needs. This position is not intended to replace Food Service personnel or custodial personnel. Cafeteria Monitors provide student supervision, routine student meal assistance, and light cleaning necessary to maintain an orderly cafeteria between student groups while collaborating with Food Service and custodial staff within their respective areas of responsibility. Employment is subject to all applicable Prince George County School Board policies and regulations and applicable federal and state laws.
EVALUATION
Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with Prince George County School Board policies and procedures governing the evaluation of personnel and other applicable division expectations.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Prince George County Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or Virginia law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, performance, and the operational needs of the school division.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Prince George County Public Schools is committed to complying with the America