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Food Service Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

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Food Service Assistant information

See Reston, VA salary details

$10

$17

$26

How much do food service assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for food service assistant in Reston, VA is $17.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.00 and $18.99 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 Reston, VA? The most popular types of Food Service jobs in Reston, VA are:
What job categories do people searching Food Service Assistant jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Food Service Assistant jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Food Service Assistant jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Food Service Assistant job openings:
Food Service Assistant jobs near you

Food Service Assistant

Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School

Washington, DC • On-site

$26.72 - $37.41/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Meal Operations Assistant
Department: Business - Meal Operations
Compensation Tier: Assistant
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Reports to: Meal Operations Manager, Senior Director of Operations
Salary Band:$26.72-37.41/hr
Work Schedule: 10 months per year (typical work day will be from 6:30 am - 2:30 pm (The hours and commitment are subject to change based on organizational needs.)
Company Overview: The Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School is a leader in Chinese Immersion education, achieving high levels of academic and organizational success. Our diverse and inclusive community reaches far beyond the walls of our building. Here at Yu Ying our teachers, staff and families are collaborators, who together, are raising the next generation of culturally fluent and well-rounded global citizens.
Position Overview: The Meal Operations Assistant is responsible for assisting with the school's food service operations, and is an important team player. If you are enthusiastic, have a passion for food and children, this is the job for you! This position supports the safe and efficient operation of the meal service operations by providing safe and timely availability and delivery of student meals and/or services.
Essential Responsibilities:
  • Accept and inspect scheduled meal deliveries by verifying temperatures, food components, portion sizes, and order accuracy to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
  • Organize meals in warming and serving equipment according to established meal service guidelines.
  • Operate kitchen equipment safely and efficiently to ensure meals are ready and served on schedule.
  • Serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks to students while providing friendly and professional customer service to students and staff.
  • Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils, and food preparation areas, and properly store food following food safety and sanitation procedures.
  • Assist with inventory management by monitoring food supplies and maintaining accurate inventory records.
  • Complete meal production records, meal counts, and other required documentation accurately, including computer data entry.
  • Work collaboratively with the Meal Operations Manager and school staff to support efficient daily meal service operations.
  • Coordinate with teachers to ensure students with food allergies or dietary restrictions receive the appropriate meals.
  • Communicate with parents regarding student food allergies, dietary accommodations, and meal-related concerns when needed.
  • Maintain accurate daily production records and support compliance with USDA, OSSE, and school nutrition program requirements.
  • Perform other food service and operational duties as assigned to support the success of the school nutrition program.

Qualifications:
  • High school graduation or its GED equivalent.
  • Ability to read and understand English and effectively communicate with students, staff and community members.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Previous experience with school meal operations.

Benefits Package:
Generous Paid Time Off
  • 10 Personal/Sick Days
  • 11 Federal Holidays
  • Chinese New Year
  • DC Emancipation Day

Insurance Benefits
  • Comprehensive Healthcare options
  • Dependent Coverage
  • FSA/HSA Options
  • 100% Company Covered Life Insurance Option
  • Short & Long term Disability Insurance
  • Fully covered Dental Coverage

Work-Life Balance Assistance
  • Public Transit Assistance
  • Staff Preference Enrollment in Yu Ying
  • On-Site Daycare (Ages 3 months - 3 years old)
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Annual Bonus Opportunities/Monetary Rewards
  • 3% 401K Match

Terms of Employment: 10 months
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities of the job.
Unless reasonable accommodation can be made, while performing this job, the staff member shall:
  • Use physical strength to lift, move, carry, pull or push equipment and/or student(s).
  • Sit, stand, walk, and run for required periods of time.
  • Speak and hear.
  • Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
  • Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary.
  • Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, computers and/or controls.

Environmental Demands:
The environmental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive.
  • Exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses.
  • Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions.
  • Exposure to heated/air-conditioned and ventilated facilities.
  • Exposure to a building in which a variety of chemical substances are used for cleaning, instruction, and/or operation of equipment.
  • Function in a workplace with a high level of noises at times.

* Washington Yu Ying PCS reserves the right to change and update policies, procedures, protocols and this job description/agreement and any addenda as needed. Employees will be notified in a timely manner of such changes by email or in staff meetings and provided an updated copy of this job description/agreement

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