Job Description

Substitute Cook

Reports To: Head Cook / Food Service Director

Job Code Number: [Insert Code]

Exempt/Nonexempt: Nonexempt

Department: Food Service

Last Updated: April 2026

Reynoldsburg City Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. At Reynoldsburg, our educators embody the principles outlined in Our Portrait of an Educator, inspiring students to innovate, collaborate, and excel.

Primary Job Function:

The Reynoldsburg City Schools' Substitute Cook is responsible for providing nutritious, safe, and healthy meals to students by preparing and serving food items, maintaining kitchen sanitation, and operating the point-of-sale system in accordance with district policy and USDA regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Valid State of Ohio Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Must pass a criminal background check (BCI/FBI) per Ohio Revised Code.
• Ability to complete required annual Civil Rights and HACCP training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in food service or school nutrition programs.
• Knowledge of USDA National School Lunch Program requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Food Preparation and Station Setup:

• Pre-portion or dish-up foods as required by standardized recipes.
• Setup serving lines and stock milk coolers and snack carts.
• Ensure trays, cutlery, and paper goods are stocked and available.
• Prepare and serve food items in a safe and healthy manner.

Meal Service and Point of Sale:

• Serve food to students and staff with a professional and positive attitude.
• Collect money during meal service and accurately operate the POS machine.
• Verify that all meals served meet school lunch program requirements and components.
• Write Café Money Reminders for students as required.

Sanitation and Safety Management:

• Clean all equipment and work surfaces thoroughly after each use.
• Wash all trays, dishes, pots, pans, and utensils and store them in their proper locations.
• Ensure unused food quantities are verified and that all leftovers are properly and safely stored.
• Maintain kitchen safety and sanitation in compliance with health department regulations.

Inventory and Administrative Support:

• Assist in checking in orders and putting deliveries away in appropriate storage areas.
• Complete two weeks of training and ensure all training logs are submitted to the Food Service office.
• Complete required annual Continued Education, Civil Rights training, and HACCP training.
• Attend annual training(s) as required to meet USDA Professional Standards.

Professionalism and Student Interaction:

• Exhibit professional behavior, emotional stability, and sound judgment.
• Respond appropriately to crisis situations, including emergencies or parent concerns.
• Serve as a role model for students in ethical principles and democratic values.
• Maintain respect at all times for confidential information.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Food handling, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Food production skills and portion control.
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP) guidelines.

Skilled in:

• Operating, cleaning, and maintaining commercial food service equipment.
• Utilizing appropriate computer software and POS systems.
• Basic mathematical calculations for cash handling.

Ability to:

• Work effectively and collaboratively with others.
• Communicate ideas and directives clearly both orally and in writing.
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing situations and work independently.
• Interact in a positive and patient manner with staff, parents, and students.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

Physical Demands – While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with others. The employee is required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see, read, speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, stoop, crouch, climb, and kneel for extended periods of time. While performing the duties of this job the employee must be able to push, pull, lift and carry office supplies and materials up to a maximum of fifty pounds on occasion. This role includes repetitive hand motion and exposure to heat and humidity.

Working Conditions – The employee in this position may experience occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue. The employee may also be required to interact with unruly children. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance use in the workplace throughout his/her employment.

Driving Requirement – This position may require driving to various school sites or events, including occasional operation of a vehicle under inclement weather conditions.

This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow the instructions and perform the duties required by the employee's supervisor and or appointing authority.

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