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Direct Service Worker Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Food Service Worker

Johnson, KS · On-site

$13.75 - $16.75/hr

DEGREE OF LATITUDE Work under direct supervision. Perform duties in accordance with established ... service. 9) Clean refrigerator and freezer to ensure that food is properly handled and stored. 10) ...

Food Service Student Worker Location: KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - 80710002 Workdays/shifts: Varying ... You will work under the direct supervision of on-site Sodexo management and will serve in a role as ...

Food Service Student Worker Location: KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - 80710002 Workdays/shifts : Varying ... You will work under the direct supervision of on-site Sodexo management and will serve in a role as ...

Food Service Student Worker Location: KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - 80710002 Workdays/shifts : Varying ... You will work under the direct supervision of on-site Sodexo management and will serve in a role as ...

Food Service Student Worker Location: KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - 80710002 Workdays/shifts : Varying ... You will work under the direct supervision of on-site Sodexo management and will serve in a role as ...

The Family Support Worker (FSW) provides critical support to Case Managers in achieving timely ... This role includes direct service to clients, including transportation, supervision, skill-building ...

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Direct Service Worker information

See Kansas salary details

$7

$12

$19

How much do direct service worker jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct service worker in Kansas is $12.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $7.74 and $15.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Direct Service Worker vs Home Health Aide?

AspectDirect Service WorkerHome Health Aide
CertificationsVaries by role, often includes CPR or basic trainingTypically requires HHA certification or training
Work EnvironmentCommunity settings, client homes, facilitiesClient homes, healthcare settings
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, social services, healthcareHospitals, home care agencies, healthcare

Both roles involve providing personal care and support to clients, but Direct Service Workers often have broader responsibilities in social services, while Home Health Aides focus specifically on healthcare-related tasks in home settings. The choice depends on the required certifications and work environment preferences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a direct service worker?

To thrive as a Direct Service Worker, you need a high school diploma (or equivalent), basic caregiving knowledge, and sometimes specialized training or certification in areas like CPR or first aid. Familiarity with care documentation systems and assistive devices is often required in this role. Patience, compassion, strong communication, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for supporting clients with varying needs. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure client safety, promote independence, and provide high-quality support in diverse care environments.

What are some common challenges faced by direct service workers, and how can they effectively manage them?

Direct Service Workers often encounter challenges such as managing clients with diverse needs, handling emotionally charged situations, and maintaining professional boundaries. It’s important to develop strong communication skills and resilience to effectively support clients while also practicing self-care to prevent burnout. Many organizations offer training, peer support groups, and supervision to help workers navigate difficult situations and continuously improve their skills.

What is a direct service worker?

A Direct Service Worker (DSW) is a professional who provides hands-on support and assistance to individuals with disabilities, elderly clients, or those needing help with daily living activities. Their duties often include helping with personal care, meal preparation, medication reminders, and companionship. DSWs may work in clients’ homes, group homes, or community settings, and play a vital role in enhancing their clients’ independence and quality of life. They also serve as advocates, ensuring clients’ needs and preferences are respected.

What is a direct service worker?

A direct service worker (DSW) provides personal care to the elderly and disabled. They often work in an assisted living center, but sometimes work directly in the client’s home. As a DSW, your job is to help clients with all daily living activities. Your primary duties involve administering medication, preparing meals, assisting with personal hygiene, performing minor housekeeping, and keeping your client company. Though many direct service workers earn an associate or bachelor’s degree, the career doesn’t require formal education. Instead, the main qualifications are basic personal care experience and excellent communication skills.

What are popular job titles related to Direct Service Worker jobs in KS? For Direct Service Worker jobs in KS, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Direct Service Worker job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $25,416 per year, or $12.2 per hour.

$18.86/hr

Part-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Operates a variety of kitchen utensils to weigh, measure, mix, wash, peel, cut, grind, stir, strain, and season and knead foodstuffs for cooking, serving and storing.

·       Assists in the preparation of hot and/or cold foods, and properly stores food, utilizing knowledge of temperature requirements and spoilage.

·       Inspects workstations for compliance with service standards.

·       Cleans and sanitizes workstations and equipment following all Sodexo, client and regulatory rules and procedures.

·       Sets up stations with entree, soups, salads, breads, condiments, other food products and utensils.

·       Provides general stocking duties in service area.

·       Serves and replenishes food from counters and steam tables (sometimes using a conveyor food belt) and breaks down stations at the end of meal periods.

·       Use a stepping stool.

·       Brews coffee and tea.

·       May be required to restock other beverage areas.

·       May work on a tray line to distribute food.

·       Interacts with customers in the serving, retail and dining areas.

·       Assist customers with opening containers and cutting food when requested.

·       Washes dishes by hand or place them in a dishwashing machine.

·       Washes worktables, walls, refrigerators and meat blocks.

·       Sweeps, mops, cleans and vacuums floors.

·       Break down and store food items at the end of each day’s final meal period.

·       Remove and move trash and garbage from designated areas.

·       Transfers supplies and equipment within and between storage and work areas such as pantry and dish room.

·       Attend all allergy and foodborne illness in-service training.

·       Comply with all company safety and risk management policies and procedures.

·       Reports all accidents and injuries in a timely manner.

·       Participate in regular safety meetings, safety training and hazard assessments.

·       Complies with all Sodexo HACCP policies and procedures.

·       Attends training programs (classroom and virtual) as designated.

·       Adheres to Operations Security (OPSEC) standard operations procedures.

·       Adheres to Property Control Plan for management of Government Furnished Property (GFP).

·       Adheres to the safety and health program that complies with EM 385-1-1 and applicable OSHA, DOD, Armed Forces Branch(s), Federal, state, and local safety, environmental and health requirements.

·       Maintain a site-specific Accident Prevention Plan (APP) in accordance with Appendix A, EM 385-1-1.

·       Other tasks as directed by the Project Manager/Supervisor.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified. 

 QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

·       Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.

·       Ability to effectively delegate and develop team members.

·       Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.

·       Ability to make decisions and solve problems while working under pressure.

·       Ability to work a flexible work schedule.

·       Detail oriented and strong organizational skills.

·       Have commercial cooking experience.

·       SERV Safe Food Handler Certification preferred.

·       Pass and maintain any required security clearance requirements.

·       Comply with Drug Free Workplace policy.

 ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

This position performs all manner of commercial kitchen operations and directly reports to the Project Manager

 EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

·       High school education or GED.

·       1-year relevant work experience within a commercial food service environment.

·       Ability to organize effectively, solve problems quickly and communicate clearly.

·       Focused with a drive to succeed.

·       Ability to manage time effectively and handle both internal and external conflicts.

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job individuals will stand for long periods of time working within a commercial kitchen environment.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The physical demands of this position require prolonged standing, walking, use of hands and fingers, reaching with arms, climbing and balancing.

·       Ability to regularly lift 25-50 pounds and on occasion up to 100 pounds.

·       The work environment of this position may require the employee to work in extreme temperatures: wet, hot, cold or humid conditions (indoor and outdoor); near moving mechanical parts; in high precarious places; areas where fumes or airborne particles are present; with or around toxic or caustic chemicals; in areas where the risk of electrical shock is present; around explosives; areas where the risk of radiation is present and work which exposes the employee to vibration.

·       The visual demands of this position require: clear vision of less than 20 inches to greater than 20 feet; ability to identify and distinguish colors; peripheral vision and depth perception.

·       Exposure to noise levels ranging from very quiet to very loud.

 POSITION CLASSIFICATION AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a non-exempt full/part-time position; Work schedule varies and requires long hours and weekends.

Travel: This position requires no travel.