Education Authority Northern Ireland
Catering Assistant
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Catering Assistant
Job Title
Catering Assistant
Reporting Structure
- Reports to: Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor
- Responsible to: Catering Manager (via the Area Catering Manager)
Job Purpose
To actively participate in the daily operation of the Catering Unit, working under the direction of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor. Team collaboration is essential to ensure:
- Efficient and hygienic service delivery
- Customer satisfaction
- Promotion of sales within the unit
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Food & Beverage Preparation
- Basic preparation of food and beverages, including:
- Cutting and preparing vegetables and snacks
- Use of appropriate equipment and techniques
- Simple cooking tasks, including reconstructing prepared meals
Service Operations
- Organising and controlling food service points
- Transferring and serving meals, snacks, and transported meals
- Assisting with promotion of meals to:
- Pupils
- Parents
- Principal/staff
Dining Area Management
- Preparing the dining area by:
- Setting out tables, chairs, benches, and serving points as required
- Laying out cutlery, water jugs, and other essentials
- Maintaining cleanliness and organisation in the dining room and kitchen
Kitchen and Dining Facilities
- Completing general kitchen duties, including:
- Washing up
- Clearing and setting up tables, chairs, and benches
- Cleaning of:
- Kitchen/servery areas
- Dining rooms
- Equipment, floors, and walls *(Note: Non-catering staff manage cleaning when rooms serve both food and educational purposes.)
Operational & Administrative Tasks
- Recording temperatures for food safety control
- Ensuring premises security as required
- Completing delegated duties related to service provision
- Adhering to:
- Legal requirements (Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments, Regulatory Codes)
- General work conditions
- Managing administrative tasks
- Assisting with Same-grade jobs within competence
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School Values & Compliance
- Promoting and adhering to the School’s ethos and values
- Review subject to change due to evolving operational needs; this document serves as a guideline, not a rigid contract.
Legal & Safety Compliance
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the role requires:
- Promotion of good relations
- Ensuring equality of opportunity
- Adherence to equality legislation
(See [summary terms and conditions](click here) for further details.)
Person Specification
Notes for Applicants
Failure to demonstrate how you meet the criteria (both essential and desirable) may result in non-shortlisting. Evidence should be clearly stated in applications by the closing date unless specified otherwise.
Selection Process Overview
- Shortlisting is based on essential criteria using application form responses.
- The Selection Panel may limit shortlists to applicants deemed most suitable.
- If there is a high volume of applications, desirable criteria may also factor into selection, applied in the listed order.
Section 1: Essential Criteria
(Measured at shortlisting and interview stages)
| Factor | Assessment Method |
|---|---|
| Willingness to undertake job-related training | Shortlisting via Application Form |
Section 2: Core Skills & Interpersonal Competencies
(Assessed during interview using EA’s Game-Changing People Model)
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Skills/Abilities
- Effective communication for:
- Team collaboration
- Instruction adherence
- Customer engagement
- Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork
- Organisational and planning abilities, with capacity to:
- Work under pressure
- Meet deadlines
- Strong motivation to provide:
- High-quality food service
- Customer-first experience for children and young people
Values Orientation
- Evidence of personal experience and work ethos reflecting EA’s ethos and values (Guidance: Values Summary)
Section 3: Desirable Criteria
(Applied in order by the Selection Panel where required for manageable candidate pool)
| Factor | Desired Experience | Assessment Method |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | Previous roles in customer service or catering | Shortlisting via application form |
Disclosure of Criminal Background
Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, this role may fall under "regulated activity", requiring an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.
- Cost responsibility lies with the applicant.
- Payment details will be provided at the pre-employment stage.
- Further information: NI Direct | Department of Justice.
Additional Application Guidance
- For further details on the role benefits, see EA Benefit Summary.
- For applicant notes, refer to Guidance.
Equality & Diversity
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All applicants are encouraged to apply.
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