Food Service Specialist

FOOD SERVICE SPECIALISTHourly $20.60 - $27.54 DOE ($27,056.04 - $36,171.04 annualized)
North Bend preschool location
33 hours per week, 38 weeks per year School Year-Based Program Applicants must live in the greater Seattle area.

Benefits Medical/HSA/Dental/Vision Company paid Life/AD&D, LTD, EAP
401(k) & Employer Match Sick Leave/Vacation Compensation
11 Paid Holidays + District Closure Days About the Role The Food Service Specialist plays a vital role in the daily success, growth, and well-being of young children in our early learning programs. More than preparing meals, this role helps fuel curiosity, connection, and learning in a play-based preschool environment.

You will be part of a warm, collaborative community where mealtimes are an extension of the classroom—supporting social development, independence, and positive relationships with food. Your work directly contributes to creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging space where children can thrive.

SCOPE:
The Food Service Specialist leads all food service planning, preparation, and delivery for early learning programs, ensuring that every meal supports healthy development, joyful experiences, and the unique needs of each child.

Key Responsibilities Meal Planning & Nutrition (10%)Design nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack menus aligned with USDA and CACFP guidelines

Create monthly menus and share with teaching teams

Collaborate with classroom staff to ensure meals reflect children’s preferences and cultural inclusivity

Adapt menus to meet individual dietary needs, including allergies and lifestyle preferences

Source fresh, seasonal foods while maintaining cost effectiveness

Ensure all food preparation meets strict health, safety, and sanitation standards

Kitchen Operations (10%)Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming kitchen aligned with licensing and health requirements

Uphold best practices in food handling, sanitation, and storage

Conduct deep cleaning and maintain organized food preparation spaces

Documentation & Compliance (10%)Maintain accurate production records for all meals served

Track participation and ensure compliance with program requirements

Keep dietary accommodation records current and accessible

Upload required documentation to program databases

Meal Experience & Delivery (70%)Prepare and present meals in a way that is appealing, developmentally appropriate, and inviting for young children

Deliver meals to classrooms to support family-style dining, a key part of the play-based learning model

Partner with educators to ensure mealtimes foster independence, social skills, and positive eating habits

Collect, clean, and sanitize dishes and maintain adequate inventory of kitchen supplies

Qualifications

Experience in food service (professional or volunteer)
Passion for supporting children’s health and development

Ability to collaborate in a team-centered, child-focused environment

Required Certifications High school diploma or GEDFood Handler’s Permit Background check and required health screeningsCPR/First Aid (within 45 days)
Completion of early learning and safety trainings as required

Physical Requirements Ability to lift up to 30 lbs Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 8 hours/day)
Why This Role Matters In our play-based preschool programs, every part of the day is an opportunity for learning—including mealtime. The Food Service Specialist is essential in helping children:

Build healthy relationships with food Practice independence and social skills

Feel safe, cared for, and ready to learn

Your work ensures that children are nourished not just physically but holistically, supporting their success in the classroom and beyond.

The information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees in this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Encompass is a private nonprofit serving the Snoqualmie Valley and Issaquah communities for over 50 years. Our mission is to partner with families to build healthy foundations for children. We believe what happens early in life matters. We offer high quality, leading edge early childhood educational and therapeutic services to all children in our communities.

Encompass is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on gender, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or the presence of a non job related medical condition or handicap.
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