Food Service Assistant: Federal Way, WA

As a Food Service Assistant at Bezos Academy, you’ll help provide nutritious, compliant meals to children at our tuition‑free, Montessori‑inspired preschool and provide direct support with a variety of additional tasks both in and out of the classroom. You will manage all aspects of food preparation and service with strong attention to detail, organization, and adherence to safety protocols. Key responsibilities include preparing CACFP‑compliant menus, placing food orders and managing food costs, receiving and verifying food deliveries, ensuring all meals are delivered to classrooms on time, and managing all clean‑up, organization, and documentation.

Assuming full ownership of the kitchen and food operations at the school, you will serve meals in accordance with USDA requirements, Bezos Academy policies, and local childcare regulations.

Beyond the kitchen, you will assist school staff and administration with a variety of tasks including inventory checks, laundry, and other ad hoc duties. As needed, you will also occasionally step into classrooms to provide direct supervision and support to the children. You will become an integral part of your school team working to improve processes and provide an excellent preschool experience where we nurture every child’s full potential.

We are actively hiring for a Food Service Assistant at our Federal Way – Lakeland (3600 S 344th Way, Federal Way, WA 98001) location.

• School schedules vary depending on community needs but generally range from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. You will work an 8‑hour shift within this timeframe Monday through Friday. Your specific schedule will be determined with your school leader when considering all staff, student, and community needs.
• This is a full‑time (40 hours per week), benefits‑eligible, non‑exempt/hourly position.
• Compensation for this position is $22 – $33 per hour (~$47,000 – $69,000 annually). The upper third of the compensation range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting compensation will vary by qualifications and prior experience.
• This role includes 32 paid days of scheduled breaks, 3 paid days of personal time off, 9 paid days of sick (care) time, 10 paid holidays, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer‑matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more.
  
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• Age 18 with high school diploma or GED.
• Ability to pass background checks and complete all trainings required by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families upon hire.
• Knowledge of cooking methods and procedures, including various types of preparation.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods of time, and perform a variety of repetitive tasks to prepare and serve food safely.
• Experience working in an institutional or highly regulated kitchen/food setting with a clear understanding of food preparation best practices and protocols.
• Active and current food worker card.
• Understanding of Washington food and beverage worker manual.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Experience working within the guidelines of the US Department of Agriculture and Child and Adult Care Food Program (USDA/CACFP).
• Two or more years of experience working in a school (preschool, early childhood education, daycare, or K‑12 environment) or similar kitchen setting.
• Working knowledge of food allergens, intolerances, preferences, and accommodations.
• Prior experience as an Assistant Teacher in a preschool setting.
• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or two years of post‑secondary coursework in Early Childhood Education.
• Experience with Montessori pedagogy.
• Experience with children with special needs.
• Fluent in Spanish.

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