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School Lunch Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Facilities Specialist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$28.85 - $31.25/hr

Campus Supervision & Safety Escort 7th and 8th grade classes between the Middle School and Upper Campus. Assist with Lower, Middle, and Upper School lunch transitions to and from the MLK Community ...

Facilities Specialist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$28.85 - $31.25/hr

Campus Supervision & Safety Escort 7th and 8th grade classes between the Middle School and Upper Campus. Assist with Lower, Middle, and Upper School lunch transitions to and from the MLK Community ...

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School Lunch information

See Renton, WA salary details

$28.1K

$108.6K

$170.4K

How much do school lunch jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for school lunch in Renton, WA is $108,573.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,800.00 and $133,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a school lunch worker?

School lunch workers, also known as cafeteria workers or food service workers, are staff members responsible for preparing, serving, and sometimes planning nutritious meals for students in schools. They ensure that food is cooked safely, follows health regulations, and meets dietary guidelines set by the school district or government. In addition to preparing meals, they may also clean kitchen equipment, manage inventory, and assist with record-keeping related to food service. Their role is essential in supporting students' health and well-being throughout the school day.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a school lunch worker?

To thrive as a School Lunch Worker, 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 systems, and food handling certifications, such as ServSafe, are typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and good communication help create a positive dining experience for students and support efficient operations. These skills ensure safe, nutritious meals are served promptly and hygienically, contributing to student health and satisfaction.

What are some common challenges faced by school lunch staff and how can they be addressed?

School lunch staff often manage high volumes of students within tight timeframes, which can be challenging during busy lunch periods. They also need to ensure that meals meet nutritional standards while accommodating various dietary restrictions and allergies. Effective teamwork, clear communication, and strategic planning help staff maintain efficiency and safety. Ongoing training in food safety, menu planning, and allergy awareness can further support staff in overcoming these challenges and delivering a positive lunchtime experience for students.

What is the difference between School Lunch vs School Cafeteria Worker?

AspectSchool Lunch
RoleSchool Lunch
Primary FocusPreparing and serving meals to students
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, kitchens
Required CertificationsFood safety, sanitation
EmployerSchool districts, educational institutions

School Lunch typically refers to the overall meal program or the concept of providing meals to students, while a School Cafeteria Worker is an individual responsible for preparing, serving, and maintaining the cafeteria environment. The roles overlap in work environment and certifications but differ in scope—one is the program, the other is the job position.

What job categories do people searching School Lunch jobs in Renton, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for School Lunch jobs in Renton, WA are:

What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for School Lunch jobs?

Cities near Renton, WA with the most School Lunch job openings:

Infographic showing various School Lunch job openings in Renton, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,573 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Central Kitchen Assistant 2

Federal Way Public Schools

Federal Way, WA • On-site

$15.75 - $19.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

CENTRAL KITCHEN ASSISTANT 2
POSITION SUMMARY  Central Kitchen Assistant 2 works in various areas of the bakery, salad, cooking or production areas of the Central Kitchen.  This position is responsible for preparing and assembling food into meal components or meals in an attractive, safe, sanitary and efficient manner in accordance with National School Lunch programs regulations, Department of Health Rules, and Nutrition Services Department protocol.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.



  • Assist with all phases of food preparation in many departments of the kitchen in a timely, safe, and sanitary manner
  • Clean and maintain general orderliness during and/or after production
  • Load the correct amount of food into the serving units as ordered and as per scheduled times and/or events
  • Provide back-up assistance to receive lunch counts from schools and assisting with filling order, as requested.
  • Provide back up working in schools, including operation of Point of Sale System, as needed.
  • Fill special meals orders, as required.
  • Maintain a clean, sanitary and safe work area and coffee room for all employees
  • Work in schools as needed to serve meals and perform supporting meal activities

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop and maintain positive customer relations with staff and service providers.
  • Work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers.
  • Federal Way School District requires employees to adhere and comply with the State of Washington and King County Department of Health food code.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent
Current FWPS Employee or Guest Employee with Nutrition Services
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Past experience in food service operations
Working knowledge of basic computer applications
National School Lunch Program Experience
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Criminal background check
Possess and maintain valid Food Handler's Permit
Possess and maintain valid Washington State Driver's License
Adhere to NS attire protocol
Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis
KNOWLEDGE OF:
School board policies and procedures
Basic mathematics and reading
ABILITY TO:
Demonstrate basic knowledge of modern technology and willingness and ability to increase knowledge to proficiency
Organize and perform job responsibilities efficiently and independently without close supervision
Pay strict attention to detail
Function in a calm, efficient, courteous, and professional manner
Work with large food preparation systems
Organize and establish priorities to complete job responsibilities to meet deadlines
Maneuver self, carts, and food/supplies within constrained kitchen environment with heavy equipment, tables and carts
Maintain a good work attendance record, be punctual, and follow District procedures for reporting all absences
Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines.
Speak, read and follow written communications in English
Perform basic spelling, math and grammar skills
Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
Communicate effectively with staff, students, parents/guardians, and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community
Interact positively with a wide range of temperaments and personalities
Continue professional growth
Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future." 
Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will constantly sit, stand and walk, bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee will perform repetitive physical tasks involving lifting and hand movements such as scooping food or other similar activity.  The employee is frequently required to squat, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation. This position requires driving, hearing, speaking, writing, and keyboarding.  The employee will occasionally be required to climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, crawl, and lift/carry. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to
10 lbs. and must frequently lift/carry up to 25 lbs. The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 35 lbs. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum force of 400 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoors and must be able to adapt to low temperatures such as walk-in freezers and refrigerators, or work with food in a frozen or very hot temperatures.  This position occasionally works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is required to travel to various locations as needed. 
WORK SCHEDULE 
This position typically works, 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, 181 days per year
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports to and is evaluated Director of Nutrition Services or designee.
REPRESENTATION
Public School Employees of Washington (PSE)
LEVEL OF COMPENSATION
Public School Employees of Washington Salary Schedule. This position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE Medical, dental vision, sick and vacation leave, life insurance, retirement.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Update May 2003
Update July 2015
Disclaimer
The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.  The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. 
All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.
Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.