Food Service Specialist

Job Details: Job Location: Carnation ECEAP Preschool - Carnation, WA, Position Type: Part Time, Salary Range: $21.00 - $28.74Hourly, FOOD SERVICE SPECIALIST

Hourly $21.00 - $28.74 DOE

Encompass Carnation Preschool location

20 hours per week, 39 weeks per year

School Year-Based Program

Applicants must live in the greater Seattle area.

Benefits

•  401(k) & Employer Match

•  Sick Leave/EAP/Wellness Program

• Bonus paid week off between winter holidays

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 for multiple sites 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: 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.