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JOB TITLE: Food Service Worker

STATUS: Part Time, on an as-needed basis

REPORTS TO: Director of Food Services & Café Manager

PROGRAM: Food Services

Organization Overview

Vaughn Next Century Learning Center (“Vaughn”), located in Pacoima, is a large urban public school within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Since the early 1970s, low student achievement had been a pattern. In 1993, tired of being helpless and hopeless, Vaughn became the first conversion charter school in the nation and was authorized by LAUSD. The charter was renewed most recently in 2018. Vaughn has over 25 years of experience as a successful independent charter school serving the district’s low-income students. This previously failing elementary public school is now a full-service, community-based, K-12th charter school that assures all students are college/career ready, digitally literate, and globally competent. 

Position Overview

Vaughn Next Century Learning Center is seeking a reliable, knowledgeable, and collaborative Food Service Worker Substitute to join our team on an as-needed basis. This role is essential in ensuring continuity of cafeteria operations by stepping in to support day-to-day functions when regular staff are unavailable. The Food Service Worker Substitute will report directly to the Director of Food Services & Café Manager.

At Vaughn Next Century Learning Center Cafeteria, we take pride in providing high-quality food experiences for our students. Our team is committed to offering fresh, healthy options that support the growth and well-being of our youth. As a substitute team member, you will play an important role in maintaining these standards while adapting to the evolving needs of our school community.

Primary Responsibilities 

• Attends in-service training, workshops, etc. for the purpose of gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Cleans linens, utensils, equipment, and storage, food preparation and serving areas for the purpose of maintaining required sanitary conditions.
• Evaluates prepared food for flavor, appearance, and temperature for the purpose of providing items that will be accepted by students and staff.
• Inspects food items and/or supplies for the purpose of verifying quantity, quality and specifications of orders and/or complying with mandated health standards. 
• Inventories food, condiments and supplies for the purpose of ensuring availability of items required for meeting projected menu requirements. 
• Maintains equipment, storage, food preparation and serving areas in a sanitary condition for the purpose of complying with current health standards.
• Merchandises food and beverage items for the purpose of serving them to students and staff in an efficient manner. 
• Monitors kitchen and cafeteria areas (e.g. proper charging procedures for items taken, employee safety, working procedures, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring a safe and sanitary working environment. 
• Oversees the preparation, cooking, and serving of food (e.g. regular food items, special diets, students with allergies, etc.). 
• Prepares food and beverage items according to standardized recipes and established food preparation procedures.
• Receives food items and/or supplies and places them in designated areas utilizing temperature requirements and food spoilage guidelines 
• Reports needed supplies and equipment malfunctions for the purpose of notifying cafeteria manager of needed items and repair and/or replacement. 
• Serves the appropriate number of food items for the purpose of meeting mandated nutritional requirements and/or requests of students and school personnel.
• Problem solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans 
• Adhere to safety practices; quality cooking; operating equipment such as telephones and computers.

Physical Demands 

• Ability to lift/push/pull/carry heavy objects, up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to use job-related operating equipment normally found in a commercial kitchen.   
• Stand for prolonged periods of time

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Current Food Handlers certificate
• Perform basic math; read and follow instructions; and understand multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: safety and sanitation practices and procedures; and quantity food preparation and handling.
• Ability to work as part of a team; speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information; handle a variety of items, kitchen and office equipment; and work with interruptions.

Desirable Skills/Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish, preferred

Compensation and Benefits 

• $19.00 per hour 
• Sick Time Accrual
• Opportunity for continued professional training

Additional Information

Upon receiving an offer of employment: 

• Must pass a criminal background check (Live Scan) with the Department of Justice (DOJ) 
• Must provide a Tuberculosis skin test (Mantoux) clearance within 60 days of employment
• Will be assigned mandated state training to be completed prior to the first day of employment 

Vaughn Next Century Learning Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected basis under the law. Equal opportunity shall be provided to all employees and applicants in every aspect of personnel policy and practice. Vaughn does not discriminate against persons with disabilities who, with reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question.