At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to prepare and serve delicious meals while ensuring a hygienic environment.
- Company: A supportive school catering service focused on teamwork and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, flexible hours, and the chance to make a difference in students' lives.
- Why this job: Be part of a fun team that promotes healthy eating and engages with the community.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed, just a passion for food and great customer service.
- Other info: Perfect for students looking for part-time work with growth opportunities.
Job Title
Catering Assistant
Reports To
Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor
Responsible To
Catering Manager through appropriate Area Catering Manager
Job Purpose
To actively participate in the daily operation of the Catering Unit under the direction of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor. Team participation is essential to provide an efficient hygienic service, to achieve customer satisfaction and to promote sales within the unit.
Responsibilities
- Basic preparation of food and beverages, including the preparation of vegetables and snacks using appropriate equipment.
- Simple cooking, including the reconstitution of prepared food.
- Organising and controlling food service points.
- Transferring and serving meals and snacks including transported meals.
- Assisting with the promotion of meals to pupils, parents and principal.
- Maintaining regular contact with the central kitchen, if applicable, with regard to all aspects of service delivery.
- Preparing the dining area:
- Setting out dining room tables, chairs, benches and serving points as required by the meals service.
- Setting tables, laying out of cutlery, water jugs, etc.
- Completing general kitchen and dining room duties including washing up, clearing away equipment including tables, chairs and benches*.
- Cleaning the kitchen/servery, dining room and equipment including floors and walls*.
- Recording temperatures for control purposes as required.
- Securing premises as required.
- Completing duties as delegated in connection with service provision.
- Carry out all duties to comply with:
- Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements;
- Codes of Practice.
- Carry out all duties in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job.
- Complete all necessary administration.
- Carry out duties for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competence of the employee.
- Promote and adhere to the Values/ethos of the School.
* Note: Where part of the school premises are used for the dual purpose of consumption of food and educational purposes, non catering staff are responsible for the cleaning of the room. This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.
Notes to Job Applicants
- You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
- You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
- The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
- Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
- Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
- In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.
Essential Criteria
Factor: Willingness to undertake job related training
Method of Assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form
Essential Criteria (Interview)
- Effective communication skills to support team working, taking of instruction and engagement with customers.
- Excellent interpersonal and team working skills.
- Effective organisational and planning skills and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Motivation towards providing excellent food and customer service for our children and young people.
Values Orientation
Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.
Desirable Criteria
Factor: Experience
Method of Assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form
Experience of working in a customer service or catering role
Disclosure of Criminal Background
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
In the event that you are recommended for appointment to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you will be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre‑employment stage.
Applicant Guidance Notes
To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.
To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.
Equal Opportunities
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer
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Catering Assistant - 2 posts employer: Education Authority
Contact Detail:
Education Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Assistant - 2 posts
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, try to connect with current staff or even visit the catering unit if possible. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you understand the team dynamics.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since effective communication is key in this role, consider role-playing common scenarios you might face. This will help you feel more confident when interacting with customers and colleagues.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your organisational skills! During the interview, share examples of how you've successfully managed tasks under pressure. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a busy catering environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. It gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm right from the start!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Assistant - 2 posts
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Catering: When writing your application, let us know why you're excited about the role of Catering Assistant. Share any experiences you've had in catering or customer service that highlight your enthusiasm for providing excellent food and service.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight your skills in food preparation, teamwork, and customer service, as these are key to the role. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate a straightforward application! Use clear language and keep your sentences short. This makes it easier for us to see your qualifications and experience without getting lost in too much detail.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Education Authority
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Catering Assistant. Familiarise yourself with tasks like food preparation, serving meals, and maintaining hygiene standards. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Show Off Your Team Spirit
Since teamwork is crucial in this position, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked in a team before. Highlight your communication skills and how you engage with others to create a positive working environment.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle the daily tasks of a Catering Assistant. Think about scenarios where you had to manage time effectively or deal with customer service challenges. Practising these responses can give you an edge.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Service
Make it clear that you’re motivated to provide excellent food and customer service. Share any relevant experiences that showcase your commitment to quality service, especially in a catering or customer-facing role. This will resonate well with the interviewers.