Job Description
PT Lunch Coordinator / Lunch Aide St. John Paul II School Mitchell, SD
Guided by Faith. Driven by Excellence.
St. John Paul II Catholic School (Preschool through 6th grade) is seeking faithful, enthusiastic individuals to join our team this fall in nurturing young minds and bodies through nutritious meals and a joyful, faith-filled environment. As part of the Sacred Heart Pastorate and the Diocese of Sioux Falls, we are committed to Catholic liberal education, forming critical thinkers and lifelong learners rooted in the teachings of the Church.
Position Overview We are hiring for two complementary part-time roles that work together to provide healthy, appealing lunches and supervise mealtimes in a warm, family-like atmosphere:
- Lunch Coordinator (approx. 6.25 hours/day, 7:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Monday–Friday during the school year) Starting wage $19/hour, DOE.
- Lunch Aide (approx. 4 hours/day, 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Monday–Friday during the school year) Starting wage $16/hour, DOE.
General Faith Development (for both roles):
- Promote and embody the mission, vision, and values of St. John Paul II Catholic School.
- Model the teachings of the Catholic Church in word and action.
- Demonstrate enthusiastic support for our Catholic mission, a genuine love for children, and a desire to inspire wonder and gratitude (including prayer before meals).
- Live as an outstanding witness to the Catholic faith, aligning personal and professional life with the doctrines and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church (per the Catechism and related documents).
Lunch Coordinator Duties:
- Plan, prepare, and serve nutritious lunches for all students following approved dietary guidelines and nutritional standards.
- Order food and supplies; maintain accurate inventory, production records, and temperature logs.
- Clean the kitchen and lunchroom daily
- Ensure compliance with health/safety standards.
- Apply for grant funding to support healthy meal costs.
- Supervise and train the Lunch Aide in daily tasks, safety, and procedures.
- Collaborate with school staff, parents, and volunteers for meal service, special dietary needs (e.g., allergies), events, or accommodations.
Lunch Aide Duties:
- Assist the Coordinator with meal preparation, serving, and daily kitchen/lunchroom tasks.
- Assist with cleanup and waste/recycling.
Qualifications Essential (required for both roles):
- Be an active, practicing Catholic in good standing, willing and able to serve as a faith leader in the school community.
- Live in accordance with the doctrines and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church (including the Catechism) and follow the Diocese of Sioux Falls Code of Ethical Standards.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Knowledge of basic food safety practices (ServSafe basics or willingness to train).
- Ability to follow recipes, measure accurately, and prepare food in quantity while maintaining quality and nutrition.
- Effective organizational skills; ability to work independently.
- Joyful, positive attitude and genuine love for interacting with young children.
- Ability to pass a background check (standard for Diocese positions).
- Previous experience preparing/serving large quantities of food or working with children in educational/childcare settings.
Physical Demands
- Continuous walking, standing, and moving in the lunchroom/kitchen.
- Occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 25 lbs.
- Fine motor skills; squatting, bending, reaching.
- Tolerance for food odors, cleaning chemicals, and varying temperatures.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with young children; good visual acuity and hearing.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a close-knit Catholic community shaping young saints through faith, excellence, and service.
- Enjoy a part-time schedule aligned with school hours (no evenings or weekends).
- Opportunity to make a daily difference in children's health, happiness, and spiritual growth.
To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and short cover letter expressing your commitment to Catholic education to businessmanager@mitchellcatholic.org.
Join us in feeding bodies and souls—apply today!