Education Authority Northern Ireland
Catering Assistant
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Catering Assistant
Catering Assistant – School Catering Unit
Reports To: Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor Accountable To: Catering Manager via the Area Catering Manager
Job Purpose
To actively contribute to the daily operation of the Catering Unit, ensuring efficient, hygienic service delivery under the supervision of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor. This includes promoting customer satisfaction and driving sales within the unit through collaborative teamwork.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Food Preparation and Service
- Handle basic food and beverage preparation, including:
- Vegetable prep
- Snack preparation
- Simple cooking and reconstituting prepared meals
- Organise and manage food service points
- Serve meals and snacks, including transported meals, via self-service, trays, or catering stations
- Assist with menu promotion to pupils, parents, and staff
- Maintain efficient communication with the central kitchen for seamless service provision
Dining Room Setup and Cleaning
- Prepare the dining area by:
- Setting up tables, chairs, benches, and serving equipment as required
- Correctly placing cutlery, crockery, water jugs, and condiments
- Perform general workroom duties, such as:
- Washing up and clearing equipment
- Collecting tables and returning them to storage
Hygiene and Food Safety
- Clean and sanitise the kitchen/servery, dining room, and equipment (including floors and walls) per hygiene regulations
- Monitor and record food safety temperatures as necessary
- Ensure full compliance with:
- Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments, and Regulations
- Codes of Good Practice
- Internal health and safety policies
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Administration and Additional Roles
- Adhere to standard working conditions expected for the role
- Process elements of administration related to daily operation (e.g., stock checks, service requests)
- Undertake delegated duties up to the same grade level, provided skills are matching
- Represent and promote the School’s values and ethos
Note: Where dining spaces also serve educational functions, non-catering staff are responsible for routine cleaning of parallel areas.
“This job description provides a framework and is subject to review as operational needs evolve. Other duties of a comparable grade may be assigned”.
Additional Compliance and Legal Note
Under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), employees are required to:
- Promote good relations between communities
- Uphold equality of opportunity
- Adhere to equality legislation at all times
Person Specification
Selection Criteria
Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet criteria in their application; failure to do so may result in exclusion at shortlisting.
Shortlisting Stage
*Section 1 – Essential
- Willingness to undertake job-related training
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Interview Stage
*Section 2 – Essential
- Displays effective communication for:
- Teamwork
- Following instructions
- Customer engagement
- Has excellent interpersonal and team skills
- Demonstrates strong organisational and planning abilities, with the capacity to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Shows motivation for high-quality food and customer service, especially with young people
Values Orientation
- Experience must align with the Education Authority’s ethos and values. [Learn more about our values here.]
Section 3 – Desirable (Applicants should highlight these too)
- Prior experience in customer service or catering
Criminal Background Check
Section 23 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007: Working with children or young people—enhanced disclosure is mandatory for shortlisted candidates.
- You will be responsible for costs of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate (details provided at later stages).
Resources:
- NI Direct
- Department of Justice
- Equal Opportunities Policy
Application Reminder:
- Ensure your responses show alignment with stated criteria by application deadlines.
- Read [Applicant Guidance Notes] (link_not_provided) and explore the benefits of joining the Education Authority [here] (link_not_provided).
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