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Food Service Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

College of the Siskiyous

Food Service Assistant

Weed, CA · On-site

$38K - $54K/yr

Food Service Assistant at College of the Siskiyous Share on X Print Application Deadline Continuous Date Posted 9/10/2025 Contact Laura Cornell Number of Openings 1 Salary Pay Range $38,134.00 - $54 ...

CARDEA HEALTH

Food Service Assistant

Oakland, CA · On-site

$26 - $29/hr

The Food Services Assistant supports the day-to-day operations of Cardea's meal and nutrition services across multiple sites. Responsibilities include food delivery and inventory control, stocking ...

Pathfinder Ranch

Food Service Assistant

CA · On-site

$16.50 - $19.50/hr

Responsive recruiter Under the supervision of the Food Service Manager and Food Service Coordinator, the Kitchen Assistant maintains a safe and organized work environment in which to prepare meals ...

Randstad

Food Service Assistant

Delano, CA · On-site

$16 - $17/hr

As a Food Service Assistant, you'll be responsible for maintaining a clean and organized kitchen, preparing food products, and ensuring efficient packing and labeling. We offer great pay, benefits ...

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Food Service Assistant information

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$9

$16

$24

How much do food service assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for food service assistant in California is $16.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by food service assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Food Service Assistants often work in fast-paced environments where multitasking and time management are crucial. One common challenge is handling peak meal times while maintaining quality and safety standards. Effective communication with kitchen staff and servers helps ensure smooth operations. Staying organized, adhering to hygiene protocols, and being adaptable to sudden changes—like menu adjustments or special dietary requests—are key to managing these challenges successfully.

What is the difference between Food Service Assistant vs Kitchen Helper?

AspectFood Service AssistantKitchen Helper
CredentialsMay require food safety certificationOften no formal certification needed
Work EnvironmentCustomer-facing, dining areasKitchen, food prep areas
Employer & IndustryRestaurants, cafeterias, cateringRestaurants, institutional kitchens
Common Search IntentCustomer service, serving foodFood prep, cleaning

While both roles support food service operations, a Food Service Assistant primarily interacts with customers and serves food, often requiring food safety certifications. In contrast, a Kitchen Helper focuses on food prep and kitchen cleaning tasks without direct customer contact. Both roles are essential in food service environments but differ in responsibilities and work settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food service assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Service Assistant, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and food hygiene certifications such as ServSafe are typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and excellent customer service skills help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure efficient operations, maintain food safety standards, and deliver a positive dining experience for customers.

What is a food service assistant?

A food service assistant helps with the planning, preparing, and serving of meals in a restaurant or other organization that serves food. They may work in schools, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. Job duties may include planning meals, preparing food, delivering food to customers, managing stock, maintaining supplies, cleaning the kitchen and service areas, and running the cash register. There are no educational requirements to become a food service assistant, but many vocational schools and community colleges offer courses in the food service industry. Some state their food service careers in this entry-level position and seek promotions as they gain experience.

More about Food Service Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Service jobs in California? The most popular types of Food Service jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Food Service Assistant jobs in California? For Food Service Assistant jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Service Assistant jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Food Service Assistant jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Food Service Assistant jobs? Cities in California with the most Food Service Assistant job openings:
Food Service Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Service Assistant job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,341 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Food Service Assistant

Voices College-Bound Language Academies

Richmond, CA • On-site

$19.18 - $23/hr

Part-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Overview
Voices is a public charter school network with a mission to prepare all learners for the challenges of higher education through the context of an academically rigorous dual-immersion program. Every learner, regardless of home language, graduates bilingual and biliterate through our full-inclusion English and Spanish dual-language model.
Though 90% of Hispanic young adults say that a college degree is important for success in life, fewer than 20% aged 25 or older hold a bachelor's degree. In contrast, only about 35% of the general American public considers college highly important, and a similar 35% hold a bachelor's degree (2023, 2024 Pew Research) Voices College-Bound Language Academies exists to change that.
Our educational philosophy is grounded in a sociocultural approach to learning that emphasizes collaboration, language development, and culturally sustaining practices. We believe students learn best in rigorous, language-rich environments that are developmentally responsive, prioritizing play-based pedagogy in early childhood and intentional direct and interdisciplinary instruction in the upper grades. Instruction is standards-based and designed to develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and critical thinking through reflective, data-informed practice.
If our mission, model, and approach to teaching and learning resonate with you, we invite you to apply.
Role Summary
Voices Academies Food Service Assistant will assist in coordinating the activities and operations of a snack bar facility, school site food program, food vending cart, or assisting with cooking and baking tasks, and to assist in the preparation and serving of food. The Food Service Assistant will have knowledge of standard health department policies and California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division policies. He/She will keep a count of a variety of food items for snack bar/lunch carts and maintain accurate records of quantities received, etc. Assists in planning and ordering necessary food and non-food items for kitchen or school facility operations and proper leftover utilization and storage. Assists in preparation of daily reports, work production worksheets, and other record keeping; collecting necessary information. Assists in maintaining inventory control records, and keeping kitchen facility/work area clean and orderly. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of general needs and behavior of children; and know basic first aid; and appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
Key Responsibilities
Kitchen Duties:
  • Maintains and prepares records related to food program at kitchen facility or assigned school site
  • Sets up lunch area organizing cold racks, hot racks and beverages and cleaning up area after use
  • Arranges and sets up snack bar, serving area and lunch carts with appropriate food items, beverages
  • Assists in preparing a wide variety of foods in small or large quantities
  • Operates and cleans a variety of kitchen/snack bar equipment including food warmers, ovens, kitchen utensils
  • Prepare, serve and package food items as assigned
  • Perform basic mathematical computations
  • Other duties as assigned (Including but not limited to: Supervising recess, cross-training and supporting department as needed, performing janitorial tasks including taking out play yard trash, sweeping and trash pickup, managing lunch orders, maintaining food vendor communication, running positive behavior incentive program with students, distributing snacks, performing inventories etc.)

Voices Academies Food Service Assistant candidates will have the following
Required Qualifications:
  • Hold a California Health Department food handlers permit
  • Knowledge of proper sanitation and safety procedures associated with institutional food service functions
  • Knowledge of the safe use and operation of food preparation and serving equipment and related utensils
  • Ability to maintain accurate records
  • Ability to safely and effectively operate food preparation and serving equipment and machines
  • Skill to operate and maintain assigned food service equipment and appliances in a safe and sanitary manner
  • Works well in a high pressure environment
  • Flexibility in providing cross-coverage across support services departments as needed

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish
  • Ability to perform routine mathematical calculations accurately
  • Knowledge of and experience working with low-income communities preferred
  • Ability to work well independently and within a team environment; working efficiently, and exercising excellent judgment in making decisions

Working Conditions:
  • Regular requirement to stand, sit, walk, talk, hear, see, read, speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, stoop, kneel and crouch
  • Lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
  • Occasional evening and or weekend work
  • Occasional travel
  • Willingness to be trained as needed

Prior to Employment: Once an offer has been extended, a candidate must meet the following criteria to receive a final agreement:
  • First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
  • Clear Criminal Background Check
  • Valid TB Clearance
  • CA Food Handler Card

Key Compensation:
  • Hourly compensation range: $19.18 - $23.00
  • Medical benefits; for full time only
  • Exceptional growth opportunities
  • Retirement plan (Full-Time employees only)

Employment:
  • Reports directly to Business Manager
  • Permanent Part-Time, Non-Exempt
  • Position follows a 10-month work schedule
  • At-Will Agreement

If you have any questions about this position, please contact our hiring team by email at jobs@voicescharterschool.com.
Voices College-Bound Language Academies will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position, in accordance with applicable federal and California law.
Voices College-Bound Language Academies is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Voices to afford equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, citizenship status, medical condition, or any other legally protected status.

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