Education Authority Northern Ireland
Catering Assistant
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Catering Assistant
Catering Assistant – Job Description
Job Title
Catering Assistant
Reports To
- Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor
- Responsible to the Catering Manager through the 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.
Teamwork is essential to provide an efficient, hygienic service, achieving customer satisfaction and promoting sales within the unit.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
-
Basic food and beverage preparation:
- Basic food preparation, including preparation of vegetables and snacks using appropriate equipment.
- Simple cooking, including the reconstitution of prepared food.
-
Organising and controlling food service points.
-
Meals and snack service:
- Ensuring meals and snacks are transferred and served, including transported meals.
- Assisting with meal promotion to pupils, parents, and principals.
-
Central kitchen coordination (if applicable):
- Maintaining regular contact regarding service delivery.
-
Preparing the dining area:
- Setting out dining room tables, chairs, benches, and serving points.
- Laying out cutlery, water jugs, etc.
-
General kitchen and dining duties:
- Washing up.
- Clearing away equipment (tables, chairs, benches).
-
Cleaning duties:
- Cleaning kitchen/servery, dining areas, and equipment (including floors and walls)*.
Note: Where the school premises function for both educational and food consumption purposes, non-catering staff manage cleaning duties.
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- Maintaining and recording temperatures for compliance purposes.
- Securing premises as required.
- Performing administered duty as delegated by managers.
- Ensuring adherence to:
- Legal obligations (Acts of Parliament, regulations).
- Codes of practice.
- Executing duties in standard working conditions.
- Handling administrative tasks as necessary.
- Undertaking tasks of equivalent grade when within competence.
- Promoting the school’s values and ethos.
This document is not fixed but provides operational guidelines. Additional duties may be assigned as required.
Compliance Statement
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), this postholder must:
- Promote good relations and equality of opportunity.
- Adhere to equality legislation in all actions.
Person Specification
Important Notes to Job Applicants
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet each criterion, with evidence of both essential and desirable traits. Failure to do so may result in non-advancement to shortlisting.
Essential Criteria for Shortlisting (Section 1)
| Factor | Essential Criteria | Assessment Method |
|---|---|---|
| Willingness to undertake job training | Effective training adaptability | Shortlisting via application form |
Interview Stage (Section 2)
Skills & Abilities
Skilled in accordance with the EA’s Game-Changing People Model:
- Development and communication: Support teamwork, instruction-following, and customer engagement.
- Interpersonal & teamwork skills: Exceptional collaboration and adaptability.
- Organisation & pressure handling: Ability to meet dead lines and deadlines.
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Method of Assessment
- Interview Focus: Skills demonstration.
Values Orientation
- Reflects EA’s ethos and values (further details available here).
Method of Assessment
- Interview Assessment.
Section 3 – Desirable Criteria
Some or all of the following may be applied at shortlisting, specifically if applications are excessive. Where applicable:
| Factor | Method of Assessment |
|---|---|
| Experience | Shortlisting via application form |
- Experience in catering/customer service—preferred.
Criminal Background Disclosure
Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, working directly with children or young people or in specified locations is considered regulated activity.
Should you be selected, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background is mandatory due to the cost burden, as outlined by the Education Authority. Details on fees/available access will be provided pre-employment.
Further information available at NI Direct or Department of Justice.
Additional Resources
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