About KIPP Texas

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 57 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 34,000 students across Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Together with families and communities, our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Founded in Houston in 1994, and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in our classrooms, in our offices, and in the communities we serve is unwavering. We are looking to hire a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join our Team and Family and champion equity, chase excellence, persist with purpose, bring joy, and help us rise together.

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 280 schools, nearly 15,000 educators, and 175,000 students and alumni.

The Opportunity 

The Child Nutrition Specialist works as a part of the KIPP Texas Public Schools Cafeteria Team to prepare and serve breakfast, lunch and supper for all students and teachers at your assigned campus. The Child Nutrition Specialist will work effectively in the cafeteria/kitchen or where designated by the Child Nutrition Site Supervisor. The Child Nutrition Specialist will help  to create a warm and friendly atmosphere to enhance the student’s meal time experience. This position will efficiently handle the sale of food, and to prepare an accurate, balanced tabulation sheet for Child Nutrition accounting purposes. This position must have a firm understanding of HACCP principles, general nutrition and food preparation. This position will abide by the strictest standards of physical and food safety, freshness and sanitation.

Key Responsibilities 

• Know, understand and assist in implementing the requirements of the Child Nutrition Program. 

• Work on the serving line when necessary to ensure quick, smooth meal services. 

• Comply with Health Department Codes for food service 

• Comply with all safety measures and regulations throughout the cafeteria and kitchen and report any injuries or unsafe conditions in the workplace to the Child Nutrition Site Supervisor

• Support the Child Nutrition Site Supervisor with all kitchen and cafeteria duties, to include training of newly hired Child Nutrition Specialists

• Carefully prep and prepare products according to the recipe 

• Ensure the quality, taste and presentation of all prepared items.

• Use safety precautions relative to working with food service equipment and materials 

• Firm understanding of FIFO and the Temperature Danger Zone 

• Follow established HACCP food safety, cleaning and maintenance procedures 

• Maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen and cafeteria area 

• Can operate dish machines to company and manufacturer specifications. 

• Use proper measurements of detergent and sanitizer in the dish machine. 

• Support all efforts to recycle and compost. 

• Store stock in an efficient and safe manner 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Skills and Qualifications 

• Ability to communicate professionally, both written and verbally with team and management.

• Must be self-motivated and able to problem solve effectively.

• Food Handler card required. 

• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit, is proactive and flexible, and is willing and able to play different roles in the team in order to meet the varied and constant needs of the students 

• Model positive and healthy character traits and habits, such as being consistent and understanding. 

• Fundamental understanding of sanitation and cleanliness 

• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the KIPP Texas Public Schools mission and KIPP Texas Public Schools community. 

Preferred Experience

• One (1) year experience in food and hospitality related role

• Experience in school-based Child Nutrition a strong plus

• Experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and fast-growing organization a strong plus 

Work Environment

• Exposure to temperature variations and wet conditions 

• Requires moderate physical effort. Standing, carrying, bending, stretching, stooping, pulling, pushing, lifting.

• Must be able to lift 40 pounds without assistance, repetitively.

• May walk and work on uneven and slick surfaces 

• Requires reaching above and below shoulder height 

• Some exposure to dust, gas, fumes and chemicals 

• Exposure to blood borne pathogens: Level III 

• May need to use a ladder or stool to reach product or supplies 

• Repetitive hand motion

Compensation & Benefits

The starting salary for this position is $27,000 and placement in the salary range is commensurate upon experience and internal equity.

Salary is based on years of experience, degree of education, and level of expertise. A competitive benefits package is also offered.

As a full time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, as well as life insurance and disability plans.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.