Education Authority Northern Ireland
Catering Assistant
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Catering Assistant
Catering Assistant (Catering Unit) Job Description
Reports To
- Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor (Responsible to: Catering Manager through the applicable Area Catering Manager)
About the Role
The primary objective of this role is to actively engage in the daily operations of the Catering Unit under the direction of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor.
Collaboration with the team is essential to deliver:
- An efficient and hygienic service
- Customer satisfaction
- Promotion of sales within the unit
Key Responsibilities
Food Preparation & Service
- Basic preparation of food and beverages (e.g. vegetables, snacks)
- Simple cooking tasks, including the reconstitution of prepared food
- Organising and controlling food service points
- Transferring, serving, and maintaining transported meals and snacks
- Assisting with the promotion of meals to pupils, parents, and the principal
Dining Area Preparation
- Setting up dining spaces, including:
- Tables, chairs, benches
- Serving points as per meal service requirements
- Laying out cutlery, water jugs, and related props
Hygiene & Cleaning
- Completing kitchen and dining room duties:
- Washing up
- Clearing tables, chairs, and benches
- Cleaning kitchen/servery, dining room, equipment (including floors, walls)
- Recording temperatures for service control compliance
- Securing premises as required
Administration & Compliance
- Performing all delegated duties to ensure:
- Adherence to Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments, Regulations, and legal requirements
- Compliance with applicable codes of practice
- Routine duties as assigned within the same grade
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Miscelaneous
- Adhering to EA’s Values and Ethos
- Completing all necessary administrative tasks
- Operating within normal conditions inherent to the role
Note:
- Non-catering staff are responsible for cleaning dining areas with dual educational/food consumption purposes.
- This job description is a guideline subject to review and adaptability.
Gender Equality Compliance In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the roleholder must:
- Promote good relations
- Ensure equality of opportunity and pay
- Give due regard to equality legislation at all times.
(See summary of terms for further details.)
Person Specification
Key Notes for Applicants
Applicants must clearly demonstrate: ✔ How and to what extent they meet required criteria (both essential and desirable) ✔ Clear evidence for shortlisting inclusion
📌 Failure to do so may result in exclusion from shortlisting. Criteria validity will be assessed by the closing date, unless otherwise stated.
Section 1: Essential Criteria (Assessed at Shortlisting Stage)
| Factor | Assessment Method | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Willingness to undertake job-related training | Shortlisting by completed Application Form | Must demonstrate willingness to engage in training activities. |
Section 2: Essential Criteria (Assessed at Interview Stage)
Skills & Abilities
EA’s Game-Changing People Model Guidelines Required:
- Effective communication skills, supporting:
- Team collaboration
- Instruction adherence
- Customer engagement
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Excellent interpersonal & teamworking skills
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Orchestration between organisation, planning, and pressure management to meet deadlines
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Motivation for high-quality food and customer service, prioritising children and young people
Values Orientation
Demonstrable alignment with EA’s ethos and values (see our Values).
Section 3: Desirable Criteria
The panel may select a manageable candidate pool based on these optional prioritised criteria:
| Factor | Level of Importance | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | High | Customer service or catering experience |
🔹 Clear application form justification is mandatory to avoid disqualification.
Disclosure of Criminal Background
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 designates the role as "regulated activity" if the post involves direct work with children or in specified spaces.
- An Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background check will be required from applicants shortlisted for appointments.
- You will be responsible for its payment.
More details are available via NI Direct or the Department of Justice of Northern Ireland.
Application Notes
📍 To view any further guidance notes for applicants, click here. 📍 Learn about the great benefits of joining the Education Authority at this link.
The Education Authority is committed to achieving equal opportunities in employment.
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