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Food Service Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Type Full-time Description Reporting to the Food Service Supervisor, the Food Service Specialist is responsible for food and nutrition services provided to residents, sisters, employees, and ...

We are currently looking for a Food Service Specialist with a passion for human services. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with an organization focused on a transformative path towards ...

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We are currently looking for a Food Service Specialist with a passion for human services. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with an organization focused on a transformative path towards ...

New

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Food Service Specialist information

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$22.5K

$47.5K

$98.5K

How much do food service specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for food service specialist in the United States is $47,540.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30,000.00 and $57,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food service specialist?

Food Service Specialists are professionals responsible for preparing, cooking, and serving food in a variety of settings, such as restaurants, cafeterias, schools, and military facilities. They ensure that food is handled safely, maintain clean work environments, and often assist with menu planning, inventory, and customer service. Their duties can range from basic food preparation to overseeing kitchen operations, depending on their level of experience and the workplace. Food Service Specialists play an essential role in maintaining the quality, safety, and efficiency of food service operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food service specialist?

To thrive as a Food Service Specialist, you need a solid understanding of food preparation, safety standards, and customer service, often backed by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and food safety certifications such as ServSafe are commonly required. Strong teamwork, time management, and communication skills help you excel in fast-paced environments and deliver excellent service. These skills and qualifications are crucial for maintaining food quality, ensuring safety compliance, and creating a positive dining experience.

What are some common challenges food service specialists encounter in fast-paced environments, and how can they be managed?

Food Service Specialists often face challenges such as balancing multiple meal orders, maintaining food safety standards during rush periods, and ensuring prompt, friendly customer service. These challenges can be managed by developing strong organizational skills, effective time management, and clear communication with team members. Many food service establishments offer training and teamwork-focused processes to help staff handle busy shifts efficiently while maintaining quality and safety.

What is the difference between Food Service Specialist vs Food Service Worker?

AspectFood Service SpecialistFood Service Worker
CredentialsMay require food safety certifications or trainingTypically no formal certifications required
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, cafeterias, healthcare facilitiesFast food, cafeterias, catering
Job ResponsibilitiesSupervising food prep, ensuring safety standards, managing serviceFood prep, serving, cleaning
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, schools, large food service operationsFast food chains, casual dining

The main difference is that Food Service Specialists often have additional responsibilities like supervising staff and ensuring safety standards, while Food Service Workers focus on food prep and serving tasks. Certifications and work environments overlap, but Food Service Specialists typically hold more advanced roles within food service operations.

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What states have the most Food Service Specialist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Food Service Specialist jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Food Service Specialist jobs?

For Food Service Specialist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Food Service Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,540 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

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Job description

Food Service Specialist (Full Time)

Ypsilanti Community Schools serves over 3,800 PreK-12 students across 11 school buildings in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The district offers a wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options for scholars. All Ypsilanti Community Schools team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all scholars in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Food Service Specialist works with the Finance Director to provide administrative and compliance support for the district's Food Service Department and serves as a key point of contact between the district, the contracted food service provider, school staff, and families. This position supports daily operations while assisting with oversight of vendor performance, ensuring compliance with state and federal child nutrition program regulations, and maintaining accurate documentation for audits and reporting.

The successful candidate will be someone who is comfortable working on-site in schools, assisting and supporting day-to-day food service operations. The individual will be responsible for ensuring that food service personnel operate in accordance with the MDE and federal guidelines.

Qualifications
  • Associate degree or higher required
  • Minimum of two years of administrative or clerical experience, preferably in a school district, public agency, or food service/nutrition program
  • Familiarity with USDA Child Nutrition Program requirements preferred
  • Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills with accuracy and attention to detail
  • Proficiency with the Google Platform (Docs, Sheets, etc.) and ability to learn district-specific software
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills for working with vendors, staff, families, and state agencies
  • Ability to handle multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and support compliance activities
Job Responsibilities
  • Serve as the district's primary administrative contact for the contracted food service provider
  • Assist in monitoring vendor compliance with contract terms, staffing levels, service standards, and USDA Child Nutrition Program requirements
  • Collect and review required documentation from the provider (menus, production records, staff training logs, safety/health inspection reports)
  • Provide professional development and on-site training as required by MDE guidelines
  • Support on-site compliance reviews by scheduling visits, gathering records, and assisting with inspections/audits
  • Maintain and organize all district food service records, including meal counts, free/reduced meal applications, verification documents, and related reports
  • Assist with preparing and submitting state and federal reports for child nutrition programs
  • Track invoices, reconcile billing with district accounts, and flag discrepancies in coordination with the business office
  • Respond to inquiries from parents, students, and staff regarding meal programs, account balances, and eligibility
  • Provide clerical support for procurement activities, bid processes, contract renewals, and program audits
  • Assist with communication among district leadership, school sites, and the food service provider to address service concerns and implement corrective actions
  • Maintain confidentiality of scholars, family, and vendor information in compliance with FERPA, USDA, and district policies
  • Perform other duties as assigned to support effective food service operations

Monitor after-school and summer meal service, days and times vary. Collect documentation for PreK-12 meal service and ensure accuracy. Coordinate with building administrators to collect meal service forms; ours may vary. Attend district events to collect meal service forms; hours may vary. Approved mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate. Attend Michigan Department of Education seminars and trainings.

Regular use of computers, phones, and standard office equipment. Daily travel to schools across the district to assist with site monitoring, audits, and provider meetings. The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Frequent verbal and written communication using phone, email, and in-person interactions. Daily use of office technology, including computers, printers, and phones. May occasionally lift or move materials or packages weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Food delivery, food service as needed. Other duties as assigned.

Terms of Employment: The Board of Education sets the contract, salary, and other terms. The applicant must agree to fully participate in all relevant training. Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in collaboration by the Director of Finance with input from the Food Service Director, in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of personnel.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Complete all sections of the online application at: Employment Link. Applicants must upload copies of the following documents: a letter of interest and a resume.

This job description outlines the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties. Ypsilanti Community Schools reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, immigration status, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any legally protected category not otherwise listed, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.