Food Service Specialist

FOOD SERVICE SPECIALIST

Hourly $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 GED
• Food Handler's Permit
• Background check and required health screenings
• CPR/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.