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Food Service Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

PeaceHealth

Food Service Assistant

Vancouver, WA

$20.06 - $27.36/hr

Description PeaceHealth is seeking a Food Service Assistant for a Per Diem/Relief, 0.00 FTE, Variable position. The salary range for this job opening at PeaceHealth is $20.06 - $27.36. The hiring ...

PeaceHealth

Food Service Assistant

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$20.06 - $27.36/hr

PeaceHealth is seeking a Food Service Assistant for a Per Diem/Relief, 0.00 FTE, Variable position. The salary range for this job opening at PeaceHealth is $20.06 - $27.36. The hiring rate is ...

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Food Service Assistant

Aloha, OR · On-site

$15.50 - $19.75/hr

Provides a high level of member service. Job Duties * Prepares hot food. Proofs, presses, stretches, sauces, and adds toppings to pizza. Bakes food items in ovens. Slices cooked pizza. Places baked ...

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Food Service Assistant

Camas, WA · On-site

$16.50 - $21/hr

Provides a high level of member service. Job Duties * Prepares hot food. Proofs, presses, stretches, sauces, and adds toppings to pizza. Bakes food items in ovens. Slices cooked pizza. Places baked ...

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Food Service Assistant

Aloha, OR · On-site

$15.50 - $19.75/hr

Provides a high level of member service. Job Duties * Prepares hot food. Proofs, presses, stretches, sauces, and adds toppings to pizza. Bakes food items in ovens. Slices cooked pizza. Places baked ...

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Food Service Assistant

Tigard, OR · On-site

$15.75 - $20/hr

Provides a high level of member service. Job Duties * Prepares hot food. Proofs, presses, stretches, sauces, and adds toppings to pizza. Bakes food items in ovens. Slices cooked pizza. Places baked ...

Denny

Service Assistant

Portland, OR · On-site

$16 - $21.25/hr

Clear, clean, and reset tables promptly between guests. * Assist servers with food delivery, refills, and guest requests as directed. * Maintain cleanliness of dining areas, service stations, and ...

Denny's

Service Assistant

Portland, OR · On-site

$16 - $21.25/hr

Clear, clean, and reset tables promptly between guests. * Assist servers with food delivery, refills, and guest requests as directed. * Maintain cleanliness of dining areas, service stations, and ...

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Food Service Assistant information

See Portland, OR salary details

$10

$17

$26

How much do food service assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for food service assistant in Portland, OR is $17.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.29 and $19.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 skills do you need to be a food service assistant?

A food service assistant needs strong communication and customer service skills to interact effectively with customers and team members. They should be able to follow safety and hygiene standards, work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, and often require basic math skills for handling transactions and inventory. Physical stamina and the ability to stand for long periods are also important.
More about Food Service Assistant jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Service jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Food Service jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Food Service Assistant jobs in Portland, OR?

For Food Service Assistant jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Service Assistant jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Service Assistant jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Food Service Assistant jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Food Service Assistant job openings:

Food Service Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Service Assistant job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,902 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Food Service Assistant

PeaceHealth

Vancouver, WA

$20.06 - $27.36/hr

Full-time, Per diem

Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 11 days ago

PeaceHealth rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 175 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

160th of 891 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Description

PeaceHealth is seeking a Food Service Assistant for a Per Diem/Relief, 0.00 FTE, Variable position. 

The salary range for this job opening at PeaceHealth is $20.06 – $27.36. The hiring rate is dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to education, training, work experience, terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, seniority, etc.

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement. There may be more than one opening on this posting.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for performing a variety of tasks which includes preparation, service, clean-up and delivery of food products in support of hospital food and catering service operations using HACCP guidelines for safe food handling.

Details of the Position: 

  • Prepare, mix, assemble, portion, serve and store food following applicable guidelines.
  • Operate dish machine, wash pots and perform heavy cleaning duties following safety and sanitation guidelines.
  • Transport equipment, food, supplies and trash as directed.
  • May act as cafeteria cashier/running the cash register
  • Follow guidelines for assigned station set-up and clean-up.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

What You Bring: 

  • High School Diploma Preferred: or equivalent
  • Minimum of 1 year Preferred: previous work experience 
  • Preferred: Retail food service experience
  • Required: Food Handlers Card - Washington
  • Strong customer service skills (Required)
  • Knowledge and understanding of proper food handling and sanitation (Required)
  • Ability to work well with others (Required)
  • Ability to effectively communicate in order to effectively and safely perform the functions of this role (Required)

Department / Location Specific Notes

PIMC:

  • Will perform environmental services, security assistance and emergency response duties as needed.
  • Requires BART training (de-escalation training) within 30 days of hire.

Working Conditions

Lifting

  • Cooks: Continuous moving around area. Lifting: Frequent up to 22 lbs. Occasional up to 50 lbs. Occasional carrying up to 20 lbs. Frequent reaching/ bending/ stooping/ grasping. Occasional squatting/kneeling. Frequent pushing/pulling 14 lbs. sustained force with frequent stop/start. Occasional repetitive push/pull (scrubbing grill/oven).
  • Diet Rep/Aide: Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Consistently operates computer and other office equipment.
  • Food service asst.: Continuous moving around area. Lifting: Frequent up to 12 lbs. Occasional up to 44 lbs. Occasional carrying up to 25 lbs. Frequent reaching/ bending/ stooping, grasping. Occasional squatting/kneeling. Frequent pushing/pulling 30 lbs. sustained force with frequent stop/start.
  • Stores Coord Asst: Continuous moving around area. Lifting: Frequent up to 50 lbs. Occasional up to 35 lbs. Frequent reaching/ bending/ stooping/ grasping. Occasional squatting/kneeling .

Environmental Conditions

  • Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment.
  • Working near/around heated surfaces (oven).
  • Working near/around water/liquid.

Mental/Visual

  • Vision and hearing required within normal limits (glasses, contacts, hearing aids permitted).
  • Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information.

PeaceHealth is committed to the overall wellbeing of our caregivers. The benefits included in positions less than 0.5 FTE are 403b retirement plan for caregiver contributions; wellness benefits, discount program, and expanded EAP and mental health program.

See how PeaceHealth is committed to Inclusivity, Respect for Diversity and Cultural Humility.

For full consideration of your skills and abilities, please attach a current resume with your application. EEO Affirmative Action Employer/Vets/Disabled in accordance with applicable local, state, or federal laws.

What PeaceHealth employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About PeaceHealth

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, WA, is a not-for-profit Catholic health system employing approximately 16,000 caregivers, a multi-specialty medical group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities in Washington, Oregon, Alaska. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. Today, the legacy of its founding Sisters continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Get a feeling for the Spirit of PeaceHealth through this three-minute video, and visit us on Facebook or LinkedIn! We offer competitive compensation, a robust benefitspackage and a collaborative, Mission-driven work environment! To learn more please visit: jobs.peacehealth.org. Questions? Review our Employment FAQor email Recruitment@peacehealth.org. Please note this email does not accept resumes or applications.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Vancouver, WA, US

Year founded

1890

Social media

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