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School Nutrition Jobs in Rochester, MN (NOW HIRING)

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School Nutrition information

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How much do school nutrition jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for school nutrition in Rochester, MN is $18.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $20.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are school nutrition jobs?

School nutrition jobs include food prep workers, chefs, nutrition services workers, school nutrition assistants, consultants, and planners who do meal planning for elementary, middle, and high schools. As a prep worker or chef, you work in a large industrial or institutional cafeteria making meals for hundreds of students. The duties of a school nutrition assistant are to help chefs and other food nutrition specialists with meal planning, pack lunches for children, and complete a variety of stocking and inspection responsibilities. Some nutrition jobs are at a central facility that ships foods to campuses, while others are at specific schools.

What are some common challenges faced by school nutrition professionals and how can they be managed?

School nutrition professionals often encounter challenges such as accommodating diverse dietary restrictions, balancing tight budgets, and ensuring compliance with federal and state nutrition guidelines. Effective communication with students, parents, and staff is essential for managing allergies and special dietary needs. Staying organized, participating in ongoing training, and collaborating closely with kitchen staff and administrators can help address these challenges while maintaining a positive, efficient work environment.

What is a school nutrition professional?

School nutrition professionals are individuals who plan, prepare, and serve meals to students in educational settings, such as public and private schools. Their responsibilities include ensuring meals meet federal and state nutrition guidelines, managing food safety, and promoting healthy eating habits among students. They may work as cafeteria workers, nutritionists, dietitians, or food service directors. These professionals play a vital role in supporting students' health, academic performance, and overall well-being by providing nutritious and balanced meals every school day.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a school nutrition professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a School Nutrition professional, you need knowledge of nutrition standards, food safety, and meal planning, often supported by a degree in nutrition or dietetics and relevant certifications like ServSafe. Familiarity with food service management systems, inventory software, and compliance with USDA guidelines is typically required. Strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills help in collaborating with staff, students, and administration effectively. These competencies ensure the delivery of healthy, compliant meals that support student well-being and meet regulatory requirements.

What is the difference between School Nutrition vs School Food Service Worker?

AspectSchool NutritionSchool Food Service Worker
CredentialsMay require food handler permits, nutrition certificationsTypically requires food safety training, basic food handling
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, kitchens, dining areasSchool cafeterias, food prep areas
Employer & IndustrySchool districts, educational institutionsSchool districts, food service providers
Job FocusPlanning menus, nutrition education, meal program managementPreparing, serving meals, maintaining cleanliness

School Nutrition professionals often have responsibilities beyond food prep, including menu planning and nutrition education, and may hold certifications. School Food Service Workers primarily focus on meal preparation and service, with less emphasis on nutrition planning. Both roles work in school cafeterias and are essential to student meal programs, but School Nutrition roles typically involve more oversight and specialized training.

What job categories do people searching School Nutrition jobs in Rochester, MN look for? The top searched job categories for School Nutrition jobs in Rochester, MN are:
What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for School Nutrition jobs? Cities near Rochester, MN with the most School Nutrition job openings:
Infographic showing various School Nutrition job openings in Rochester, MN as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,447 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

High School Lead- A la Carte - #110235

Rochester Public Schools

Rochester, MN

$15.75 - $21.50/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Rochester Public Schools rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 619 rated elementary and secondary schools


Job description

WORK SCHEDULE: 7 hours per day; 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday


WORK CALENDAR: 178 duty days per year

Click link to review the 2026-2027 SNS Calendar


CLASSIFICATION: B-2-2; Non-exempt

Click link to review the 2024-2026 SNS Contract containing salary schedule.


If you have questions about the job position, contact the hiring manager. Dale Winham, Director of Student Nutrition Services: dale.winham@rochesterschools.org


If you have questions regarding a job posting, contact the Office of Human Resources @ 507-328-4210 or email rachel.hepinstall@rochesterschools.org


Job Summary:


The High School Lead- A la Carte is a hands-on leadership role responsible for coordinating the daily operations of a school based snack/coffee shop. This position assists with planning and executing the daily menu, inventory ordering and tracking, and point-of-sale (POS) processing for the operation. This position directs and trains associate staff and student workers, guarantees strict adherence to local and federal health and nutrition standards, provides outstanding customer service and serves as a positive liaison between the nutrition department, school administration, and the student body.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:


  • Ensure presentation of the shop is clean, stocked and welcoming to students.
  • Ensure all beverages/snacks follow established guidelines/recipes to maintain consistency in taste, nutrition, and portion sizes.
  • Prepare beverages/snacks in appropriate quantities and batch cook to help minimize waste. Use cooking techniques that maintain food quality and appeal.
  • Uphold food safety protocols, including correct storage, preparation, and serving temperatures. Prevent cross-contamination and ensure safe handling of allergens and dietary accommodations.
  • Assign responsibilities based on team members’ strengths and workload, ensuring production runs smoothly.
  • Foster teamwork to ensure efficient production. Address concerns and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
  • Guide new staff on coffee shop procedures, food and beverage preparation & portioning, HACCP guidelines, and SNS protocols.
  • Regularly check food and beverage quality, portions, and presentation, ensuring beverages/snacks align with district and USDA smart snack standards.
  • Respond to unexpected challenges, such as ingredient shortages, POS errors and equipment issues, while keeping production and service seamless.
  • Enter coffee shop supply orders using multiple ordering platforms
  • Verify quantities and properly store all deliveries.
  • Oversee Coffee Shop point of sale system functions, including entering payments, processing account information, making adjustments, and completing closing reconciliation procedures.
  • Maintain operational records(including HACCP logs) in accordance with USDA and district guidelines.
  • Greet students and staff to create a welcoming environment
  • Serve beverages/snacks quickly and accurately, ensuring all students receive their order in a timely manner.
  • Promote specials, seasonal items, and events to increase engagement.
  • Maintain regular communication with the High School Supervisor and district leaders regarding site operations.
  • Provide clear instructions to staff for beverage/snack preparation as well as, opening and closing responsibilities.
  • Approach operational concerns with patience and professionalism to maintain harmony in the team.
  • Maintain open communication when adjusting tasks or handling last-minute changes.
  • Recognize individual contributions and provide constructive feedback to enhance performance.
  • Attend continuing education training sessions and district department meetings.
  • Act as a resource for handling comments and concerns regarding the coffee shop program from internal and external parties.
  • Ensure confidentiality of student account information, PIN numbers, and eligibility status.
  • Other duties as assigned.


Qualifications:

  • Works to establish and maintain a positive, supportive, and accepting work environment.
  • Quality of work is accurate and thorough
  • Complete tasks in a timely manner
  • Demonstrates sound judgment and decision making
  • Work habits that include organization, effective use of time, and dependability
  • Positive attitude and accepts direction and feedback
  • Works well and cooperates with staff, and students
  • Maintains professional boundaries with parents and students
  • Punctual and demonstrates consistent attendance
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Required: Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager or obtain within 6 months of hire date
  • Experience in food service, preferably within a school nutrition program.
  • Preferred (but not required): Previous experience as a Barista or in a similar role and/or progressive responsible experience in a related foodservice operation.
  • Stooping, bending, occasional awkward positions may be necessary to perform essential functions of the position. Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
  • Ability to work on your feet for extended periods and move throughout coffee shop and kitchen areas as needed.


Commitment to Equity:

Rochester Public Schools is committed to diversifying its workforce to better reflect the community we serve. We believe the practices used in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, supporting, and promoting staff must include and honor, at every level, those who represent the diverse identities of our schools and community.

https://www.rochesterschools.org/equity-statement


Common and Shared Accountabilities for All Positions

Employees of the Rochester Public School District #535 are expected to support the goals, model and promote an environment that is respectful for all, and work collaboratively with other staff to focus on the needs of the learner. A quality, customer focus that conveys a welcome attitude, an adaptability to change, and a desire for continuous improvement is also expected of all employees. In addition, staff are to respect confidential matters, encourage a safe and secure environment throughout the schools, and be dependable and accountable employees.


District Information: To learn more about Rochester Public Schools, visit www.rochesterschools.org.


All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.


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