Indianapolis Public Schools

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you’ll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You’ll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key—you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What’s Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A CAREER IN IPS FOOD SERVICES OFFERS:

Purpose and Impact:

• Essential Contributions: As a member of the IPS Food Services team, your work ensures that students receive nutritious meals that fuel their learning and well-being. Whether preparing meals, coordinating service, or managing inventory, you play a key role in supporting student success.
• Belonging and Community: IPS fosters a workplace where every team member is valued. You’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative environment committed to serving students with care and respect.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Training and Development Opportunities: IPS offers ongoing training programs to help food service staff enhance their skills, advance their careers, and explore leadership opportunities within the district.
• Skill Enhancement: Whether you’re new to food service or an experienced professional, IPS provides resources to refine your expertise, including safety protocols, nutrition standards, and kitchen operations.

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits:

• Fair Compensation: IPS ensures competitive wages and pay structures that reflect experience and dedication.
• Extensive Benefits Package: Full-time employees enjoy comprehensive health coverage, dental and vision plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans. Additional financial benefits include flexible spending accounts and eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.

Work-Life Balance and Well-being:

• Generous Leave Policies: IPS provides vacation, personal, and sick leave, along with paid holidays. Twelve-month employees benefit from floating holidays, and unused personal leave rolls into sick leave balances.
• Wellness Programs: IPS prioritizes staff well-being with access to wellness initiatives, including health screenings and an employee assistance program for confidential support and counseling.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

Professionalism and Reliability:

• Every food service role is essential to the success of IPS. We expect staff to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, educators, and families.

Collaboration and Communication:

• IPS values teamwork. Working collaboratively with colleagues ensures an efficient, positive meal service experience for students. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to maintaining this culture.

Flexibility and Problem-Solving:

• As a large, dynamic district, IPS needs food service staff who are adaptable and proactive in solving challenges to meet the needs of students and schools.

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace—it’s a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What’s Possible in your career and in our schools. If you’re ready to serve students, create positive dining experiences, and be part of a team that makes a difference every day, IPS Food Services is the place for you.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is committed to serving nutritious, high-quality meals to our students daily. Our Food Service team plays a crucial role in creating a positive dining experience while ensuring food safety, efficiency, and excellent customer service. Whether preparing meals, serving students, or managing operations, every team member helps Prove What’s Possible in IPS.

IPS is looking for dedicated, service-oriented individuals to join our Food Service team. We provide opportunities for growth, competitive pay, and a welcoming environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL POSITIONS:

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for extended periods.

ROLE(S) • KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • REQUIREMENTS

1️⃣ Food Service Worker

Summary: Food Service Workers are responsible for preparing and serving attractive, high-quality meals in hish school cafeterias while maintaining food safety and sanitation standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and serve meals following established recipes and food safety standards.
• Maintain proper food temperatures and document readings.
• Set up and maintain serving areas, replenishing food and supplies as needed.
• Ensure students select complete meals per USDA guidelines and operate point of sale system.
• Clean and sanitize work and service areas, kitchen equipment and dining spaces.
• Assist with receiving and organizing food deliveries.

2️⃣ Food Service Assistant

Summary: Food Service Assistants support the Food Service Satellite Manager in a elementary and middle school cafeteria settings, ensuring smooth meal preparation and service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cook prepackaged meals in batches, following safety standards.
• Organize and replenish food service areas.
• Ensure students select complete meals per USDA guidelines.
• Clean and sanitize work and service areas, kitchen equipment, and dining spaces.
• Assist with counting and tracking food Inventory.

3️⃣ Food Center Worker

Summary: In a refrigerated production facility, Food Center Workers prepare and package meals for IPS schools, ensuring efficiency and food safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and portion food according to standardized recipes.
• Operate food packaging equipment safely and efficiently.
• Follow food safety procedures, ensuring correct portion sizes and quality standards.
• Transport food items within the facility, ensuring proper storage and handling.
• Clean and sanitize workstations and equipment.

Additional Requirements:

• Experience in manufacturing or assembly line work preferred.

4️⃣ Food Service Manager

Summary: Assumes total responsibility for managing all foodservice department functions in a high school, serving meals prepared on-site.

Key Responsibilities:

• Forecasts future menu needs using historical data from production records.
• Orders food and supplies following established parameters of time and quantities following established procedures.
• Receives and verifies all food and supply deliveries for quality, quantity, and invoice accuracy.
• Stores food and supplies in a sanitary and secure manner always rotating products on a first in, first out inventory basis.
• Oversees food preparation, cooking, and serving to ensure quality and safety.
• Trains and assigns duties to foodservice workers and supervises their performance to insure adherence to preparation schedules and standardized recipes.
• Checks food preparation progress regularly. Verifies employees are in consistent compliance with safe food handling practices.
• Controls food preparation throughout meal service, batch cooking when possible. Completes food production records following meal service.
• Conducts scheduled food, supply, and equipment inventories. Monitors leftover food patterns and implements plans to reduce overproduction.
• Follows local, state and federal policies and regulations related to the operation of child nutrition programs.

Requirements:

• Three years of foodservice and supervisory preferred.
• Food Safety Certification preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

4️⃣ Food Service Satellite Manager

Summary: The Food Service Satellite Manager oversees operations in an elementary or middle school cafeteria serving pre-packaged meals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Order, receive, and store prepackaged meals and supplies.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, and serving to ensure quality and food safety.
• Controls food preparation throughout meal service, batch cooking when possible.
• Completes food productions records following meal service.
• Trains and assigns duties to foodservice assistants and supervises their performance.
• Follows local, state and federal policies and regulations related to the operation of child nutrition programs.

Requirements:

• Previous food service and supervisory experience preferred.
• Food Safety Certification preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

NEXT STEPS

1️⃣ Review each opportunity carefully to determine which roles align with your skills and experience.

2️⃣ Submit a single application, indicating all positions of interest and school preferences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Reads and comprehends simple instructions, short correspondence, and product labels. Must be able to write simple correspondence and to speak effectively to customers, supervisors, and other employees of the organization.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Must be able to open and respond to email on the district system. Must be able to access, sign in, and out on time keeping system.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Food safety training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, an individual must be able to perform the following activities without restrictions: handle food; handle detergents and other cleaning solutions; place hands in water of varying temperatures using approved protective measures; regularly lift and position materials weighing up to 50 pounds; sustain walking and standing on hard and sometimes slippery or uneven surfaces; occasionally push, pull, stoop, and/or bend; exhibit manual dexterity; and move quickly and efficiently.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, an individual is regularly, but not constantly, exposed to conditions typical in a foodservice environment. These conditions include heat generated from cooking equipment; refrigerator and freezer temperatures; noise produced from equipment and from large groups of customers; aromas from chemical characteristics of cleaning solutions; and risk of cuts, burns, and electrical shock from failure to follow safety procedures in the operation and cleaning of foodservice equipment.

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