Anticipated Teaching Assistant - Culinary Arts Program

HFM BOCES Career and Technical Education Center

Help Develop the Next Generation of Culinary and Hospitality Professionals

Do you have a passion for food, hospitality, and mentoring future professionals? HFM BOCES is seeking an energetic and student-focused Teaching Assistant to support our Culinary Arts Program. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside talented culinary educators, local restaurants, hospitality leaders, chefs, and aspiring culinary professionals as they prepare for careers in the food service and hospitality industries.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will help students develop the technical skills, creativity, professionalism, and work ethic needed to succeed in culinary arts, baking, restaurant operations, catering, hospitality management, and related career pathways. Your support will help create meaningful hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to real-world industry expectations.

Position Responsibilities

• Assist the Culinary Arts instructor with daily kitchen, laboratory, and classroom instruction.
• Support students during hands-on culinary activities including food preparation, cooking techniques, baking, sanitation, food safety, customer service, and restaurant operations.
• Help prepare ingredients, equipment, and instructional materials for laboratory experiences.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, safe, and organized commercial kitchen environment that adheres to industry standards and food safety regulations.
• Support students individually and in small groups under the direction of the instructor.
• Reinforce workplace readiness skills including teamwork, communication, professionalism, time management, customer service, and leadership.
• Assist with catering events, special functions, culinary competitions, industry visits, and work-based learning experiences.
• Help students understand the expectations and opportunities available within the culinary and hospitality industries.
• Collaborate with local restaurants, chefs, hospitality businesses, food service professionals, and industry partners to enhance student learning.
• Encourage student engagement, creativity, confidence, and career exploration.

Why Join HFM BOCES?

• Inspire and mentor students exploring careers in culinary arts and hospitality.
• Work in a state-of-the-art Career and Technical Education environment that emphasizes hands-on learning.
• Build relationships with local restaurants, hospitality organizations, chefs, caterers, and food industry professionals throughout the region.
• Support workforce development efforts that directly impact local businesses and the regional economy.
• Be part of a collaborative educational team dedicated to helping students discover their talents and achieve their career goals.

Make an Impact Beyond the Kitchen

At HFM BOCES, our Culinary Arts Program is about more than cooking. It is about teaching students professionalism, creativity, teamwork, customer service, and leadership skills that will serve them throughout their careers. As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a key role in helping students gain confidence, develop industry-ready skills, and discover exciting opportunities within the culinary and hospitality fields.

Join Our Team

If you are passionate about food, hospitality, and helping young people achieve their goals, we encourage you to apply and become part of the HFM BOCES Culinary Arts Program. Help us prepare the next generation of chefs, bakers, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals while making a lasting impact on students and our local workforce.

Desired Qualifications

• New York State Teaching Assistant Certification (or ability to obtain certification).
• Experience in culinary arts, food service, hospitality, restaurant management, baking, catering, or a related field preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, and industry partners.
• Passion for mentoring young professionals and supporting student success.

TEACH Clearance

Per Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, to be employed in a position designated by a school district or BOCES as involving direct contact with students, a clearance for employment from the State Education Department is required. Formal job offer/selection is contingent on candidate's ability to obtain a fingerprint security clearance through the TEACH system prior to working. For more information: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tsei/ospra/.

Equal Opportunity / Non-Discrimination

HFM BOCES is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, admissions and employment. HFM BOCES does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious practice, national origin, ethnic group, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age, marital status, military status, veteran status, disability, weight or any other basis prohibited by New York state and/or federal non-discrimination laws in its programs and activities, including admissions and employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the BOCES non-discrimination policies should be directed to Dr. Aaron Bochniak (abochniak@hfmboces.org), Assistant Superintendent for BOCES Operations and Component District Services, (518) 736-4305, HFM BOCES, 2755 State Highway 67, Johnstown, NY 12095. Inquiries may also be addressed to the Office for Civil Rights at the US Department of Education, 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005, 646-428-3800, OCR.NewYork@ed.gov. (Revised 9/2020)