About Food Services Jobs at the DOE
The New York City Department of Education is the largest system of public schools in the United States, serving about 1.1 million students in over 1,700 schools. The Office of Food & Nutrition Services (OFNS) serves around 850,000 meals to these students each school day. Of these, over 700,000 meals are provided at no charge to the students or their parents/guardians. Over the past decade, we have made tremendous strides in improving the nutrition and taste of our meals. We are committed to promoting healthy food choices among our students and maintaining high nutritional standards while offering delicious and satisfying menu choices.
Benefits
DOE employees who work more than 20 hours a week can select from a variety of health insurance plans, several of which require no employee contributions. Please review the effective dates of coverage on the NYC Health Benefits Program website(Open external link). Employees also receive dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits, and are eligible for health benefits after retirement.
Food services workers at the DOE are eligible for retirement benefits through the Board of Education Retirement System (BERS).
DOE employees are eligible for many additional benefits, including commuter benefits, a college savings program, and employee discounts on everything from technology and media to travel and education.
An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D
It is the policy of the Department of Education of the City of New York to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, unemployment status, caregiver status, consumer credit history, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.
School Kitchen Positions
Entry-level food services jobs are available in school cafeterias. Positions are citywide and based on geographical locations.
Benefits
- Monday to Friday Work Week
- Part Time Employment with Full Benefits
- Medical & Prescription Coverage
- Dental & Vision
- Sick Days
- Paid Holidays
- Retirement Plan(s)
Summary of positions:
School Lunch Helper
* Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Assists the cook-in-charge with necessary meal production and preparation. Takes direction from the cook-in-charge, assistant cook, and School Food Service Manager regarding daily activities.
- Serves meals to students and assists with replenishment of food and food-related items on the serving line and surrounding areas.
- Cleans and sanitizes kitchen and serving lines after meal service.
- Using proper food safety standards, stock shelves, refrigerators, and freezers with delivered goods. Rotates stock, as necessary.
- Must be required to lift heavy food and food-related items and sweep and mop the kitchen and surrounding areas.
- Performs related work.
Senior School Lunch Helper (Heavy Duty Person)
*Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Be advised that this position is more physically demanding than the School Lunch Helper
- Accepts deliveries of food and food-related supplies into the kitchen, checking for freshness and accuracy against delivery amounts and ordered supplies.
- Required to lift upwards of 30 pounds at a time.
- Using proper food safety standards, stock shelves, refrigerators, and freezers with delivered goods. Rotates stock.
- Assists the cook-in-charge with meal production. Takes direction from cook-in-charge, assistant cook, and School Food Service Manager.
- Cleans, sweeps, and mops kitchen and storeroom areas daily according to food safety and sanitation standards. Removes garbage and other debris from the kitchen and cafeteria.
- Serves meals to students and assists with replenishment of food and food-related items on the serving line.
If you're interested in applying to work in one of our school kitchens, use our Applicant Scheduling Assistant.
School Food Service Managers
About this Position
School Food Service Managers are responsible for managing the overall food service operation in schools. They lead a team of kitchen employees and act as liaisons between SchoolFood, the school administration, staff, students, and the community.
Managers represent our commitment to offering New York City students healthy, delicious, and satisfying menu choices.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Plans and reviews menus according to USDA Nutrition Standards for School Meals; ensures maximum utilization of foods donated by the Federal Government.
- Makes assignments and trains personnel while supervising, directing, and evaluating their work; prepares payroll for employees.
- Educates students on the importance of eating healthy meals; interprets school lunch objectives to principals, teachers, students, and parents.
- Ensures that cost per meal is maintained at acceptable levels.
- Prepares required records and reports.
- Responsible for increasing participation in the School Meals Breakfast and Lunch programs.
- Performs related work.
Qualification Requirements
Minimum
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with a major in nutrition, foods, dietetics, health and nutrition sciences with a concentration in foods and nutrition, home economics, culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, hotel/restaurant institutional management, food service entrepreneurship, food service administration, or a closely related field; or
- An associate degree from an accredited college with a major in nutrition, foods, dietetics, health and nutrition sciences with a concentration in foods and nutrition, home economics, culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, hotel/restaurant institutional management, food service entrepreneurship, food service administration, or a closely related field, and two years of satisfactory full-time experience in managing a restaurant or quantity food service operation, or as a nutritionist or dietitian.
Preferred
- Demonstrated successful management
- Ability to prepare and communicate clear and concise reports and arguments
- Demonstrated capability in implementation of policies and procedures
Salary
$46,373 - $62,889
Benefits
- Medical, dental, prescription, and vision
- Generous vacation, sick days, and paid holidays
- Retirement Plan(s)
How to Apply
Email your cover letter and resume to: sfrec@schools.nyc.gov
School Food Service Cooks
About this Position
OFNS is looking for dedicated, service oriented employees to serve in Cook entry level food service titles within school kitchens throughout our 5 boroughs.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of Cooks include but are not limited to:
- Delegating responsibilities
- Conducting daily morning meetings
- Cooking and monitoring food preparation for all programs
- Promoting OFNS nutritional standards with staff
- Monitoring meal service by ensuring portion control and conservation of the nutritional values of our food
- Recordkeeping including Food Production Record Book, Inventory Book and cash handling documents
- Following directives given by OFNS Service Manager and District Supervisor
- Providing service to multiple service lines, in house service and satellites
- Adhering to all HACCP and food safety guidelines
Job Requirements
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Must have an elementary school diploma and one year satisfactory, paid experience relevant to the duties of the position or a satisfactory equivalent
Desired Qualifications
- All kitchen staff will need to be able to work in a fast paced environment and be able to effectively multitask. Experience with computers is a plus and all candidates must be able to read, write and communicate effectively.
- Additional preference will be given to those with basic knowledge of cooking procedures, measurements and processes necessary for food production of high quality meals. We are looking for candidates with a positive attitude and great customer service, pleasant personalities and those who are able to deal with all levels of staff and management using tact and courtesy, has the ability to work with and around students, but not supervise students. Also, possess the willingness to achieve the highest possible standards for all meals served.
Salary
$30,863 - $35,484
Benefits
- Medical, dental, prescription, and vision
- Sick days, and paid holidays
- Retirement Plan(s)
Please Note
- Non-entry level Cook vacancies will be filled via promotional opportunities for existing staff before outside candidates are considered.
How to Apply
Email your cover letter & resume to: SFRECooks@schools.nyc.gov
Internships and College Programs
View available internships and college program opportunities.