School Food Service Worker for 2026/2027 School Year

Summary Portales Municipal Schools seeks a Food Service Worker for the 2026-2027 school year. The Food Service Worker assists in the preparation and serving of food and in the cleaning and maintenance of kitchen facilities while helping provide nutritious meals in a safe and welcoming school environment that supports student success.

Licensure Requirement None Required

Status This position is open until filled.

Qualifications

1. High School Diploma/GED
2. Experience in large-scale food preparation desirable
3. Demonstrated aptitude for the work to be performed.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve food, clean kitchen equipment, and perform utility duties as directed.
• Maintain and model proper sanitary and safety practices.
• Work cooperatively with colleagues, supervisors, and administrators.
• Communicate effectively with members of the school district and community.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and organized kitchen and serving area.
• Adhere to all district policies, administrative rules, and regulations.
• Maintain behavior appropriate to performing and accomplishing assigned duties.
• Adhere to confidentiality laws and regulations.
• Respond to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior.
• Follow proper procedures when handling food equipment and supplies.
• Support the philosophy and mission of Portales Municipal School District.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing and serving food to students and staff.
• Assist co-workers as needed to ensure efficient kitchen operations.
• Assist in cleaning and maintaining kitchen facilities, equipment, and food preparation areas.
• Adhere to all district health and safety policies, including HACCP requirements.
• Appropriately operate all kitchen equipment as required.
• Follow proper procedures for handling food products and chemicals used in cleaning.
• Other tasks as may be deemed appropriate and necessary by the immediate supervisor, principal, and/or superintendent.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting, standing, lifting, and carrying up to 50 lbs, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and moving light furniture may be required.
• Requires prolonged sitting or standing.
• Requires physical exertion to manually move, lift, carry, pull, or push materials or supplies.
• Must work in noisy and crowded environments.
• Must work in and around fumes and odors.

Safety, Health, and Other Requirements

• Knowledgeable of universal hygiene precautions.
• An FBI fingerprint background check will be conducted on all new hires of the Portales Municipal Schools.
• Continued employment will be contingent upon the results of the background check.

Equipment & Material Handled

• Must know how to properly operate or be willing to operate all kitchen equipment, including current technology.
• Food and non-food products.
• Cleaning chemicals and sanitation supplies.

Work Environment

• Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality.
• Interruptions of work are routine.
• Flexibility and patience are required.
• Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision.
• After hours work may be required.

About Portales Municipal Schools Portales Municipal Schools are located in the City of Portales, which has a population of about 15,000. The areas economy is based primarily on agriculture. Portales is the home of Eastern New Mexico University and is less than 20 miles from Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis, NM.

The Portales Municipal School District consists of six grade-level schools. This means that each school except the high school consists of two grade levels and is not community-based. Portales High School houses grades 9-12, while Brown Early Childhood Center is grades PK-K. James Elementary is 1st and 2nd grade. Valencia Elementary consists of grades 3rd and 4th. Lindsey-Steiner Elementary is grades 5th and 6th, and Portales Junior High is the home of 7th and 8th-grade students.