Cafeteria Worker

Role Overview

The Cafeteria Worker is tasked with preparing and serving food to the school community in alignment with the Nova Scotia School Food and Nutrition Policy. Daily interaction with students and young children from diverse backgrounds requires maintaining respect, confidentiality, and dignity. The role emphasizes promoting healthy eating habits, supporting food equity, and encouraging the use of local, minimally processed products in a busy cafeteria setting. Reporting to the Lead Cafeteria Worker, the successful candidate must effectively manage various responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Keep accurate daily records such as temperature checks, cleaning logs, and food quantity details including consumption and composting.
• Order food and supplies from designated vendors as instructed.
• Engage positively with students during meal service without making judgments about their food choices.
• Consistently adhere to food safety regulations and standards.
• Prepare and serve meals efficiently and courteously.
• Perform kitchen tasks, including dishwashing, waste sorting, cleaning, organizing, and restocking.
• Deliver food orders to nearby schools when assigned to delivery duties.
• Support the school's recycling initiatives and maintain a clean work environment.
• Foster effective communication and positive relationships within the school community.
• Comply with all guidelines set by the School Food and Nutrition Policy and the School Lunch Program menu standards.
• Perform additional duties as required by supervisors.

Qualifications and Competencies

• High School Diploma or equivalent education.
• Basic Food Safety Training is mandatory and will be provided if needed.
• Prior experience or training in food service is preferred.
• Knowledge of food allergies and related medical conditions.
• Physical ability for tasks involving heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs), standing, walking, and working in variable temperature environments.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to follow instructions and interact with others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to respectfully respond to students of various backgrounds and personalities.
• Dedicated to equity in food service and providing non-stigmatizing access to meals.
• Committed to client service excellence and confidentiality.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a diverse educational community including staff, students, parents, and external agencies.
• Demonstrated competence in cultural awareness, race relations, human rights, and diversity.

Additional Information

This position is categorized under the Education Entities Non-Union Compensation Framework Band 1 with a salary range from $37,939 to $47,423 annually. Applicants must be prepared to provide satisfactory clearance including a Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector and Child Abuse Registry Searches. The Halifax Regional Centre for Education prioritizes inclusive hiring and encourages applications from under-represented groups, particularly persons of African Nova Scotian, African Canadian, African ancestry, and Mi'kmaw/Indigenous backgrounds. Reasonable accommodation during recruitment processes is available upon request.