TEP is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year! Apply today.

Facilities, Kitchen & School Safety Careers at TEP

TEP’s facilities, kitchen, and school safety teams are essential to creating the safe, welcoming, and supportive school environments where students and staff can thrive every day. These team members are the backbone of key daily operations across TEP’s campuses in the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods of New York City, ensuring that our campuses are clean, secure, fully prepared for learning and nourishment with healthy and delicious meals. These teams ensure that every member of our school community feels safe and supported from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.

At TEP, we believe every role matters deeply. The work of our facilities, kitchen, and school safety professionals has a direct and meaningful impact on student well-being, school culture, and TEP’s ability to deliver on its mission of educational equity for every child. Whether you are maintaining our school buildings, preparing nutritious meals for our students, or ensuring a safe campus environment, your contributions make it possible for teachers to focus on instruction and students to focus on learning.

Supporting Safe and Welcoming Schools in Washington Heights and Inwood

TEP operates three campuses across Washington Heights and Inwood, two of New York City’s most vibrant and close-knit communities. Our facilities, kitchen, and school safety staff play a foundational role in ensuring that each campus is clean, functional, secure, and welcoming for the students, families, and educators we serve. From managing building maintenance and repairs to preparing and serving fresh, nutritious meals daily, to supporting safe arrival and dismissal procedures, these team members ensure that every school day runs smoothly and that every member of our community feels cared for and supported.

Open Positions

TEP is currently hiring for the following facilities, kitchen, and school safety roles:

  • School Safety Ambassador (Security Guard), All TEP Campuses
  • Kitchen Assistant, Middle School

Explore our current job listings to learn more about each role, including a full overview of responsibilities, qualifications, schedules, and compensation.

How Facilities, Kitchen & Safety Staff Support TEP

Based on the specific position, team members within these teams support the daily operations and the physical environment of TEP’s campuses in a variety of essential ways, including:

  • Ensuring the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors across all TEP campuses through consistent adherence to school safety protocols and procedures
  • Supporting safe and orderly arrival, dismissal, and transitions throughout the school day
  • Preparing and serving fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals for students daily, in accordance with health, safety, and nutrition standards
  • Maintaining clean, well-functioning, and welcoming school buildings, classrooms, and common areas
  • Responding quickly and professionally to facility needs, repairs, and maintenance requests
  • Building positive relationships with students, families, and staff, and contributing to a school culture that prioritizes safety, respect, and community
  • Communicating clearly and professionally with school leaders and colleagues to ensure that daily operations run smoothly and efficiently

Qualifications

Qualifications vary by role and are clearly outlined in each individual job posting. Generally, TEP looks for candidates who demonstrate strong skillsets within the respective professional area, reliability, a strong work ethic, and a genuine commitment to working in a school environment that serves children and families. Based on the specific role, prior experience in facilities, food service, safety, or related fields is valued, as is prior experience working in schools or other youth-serving organizations in New York City. Applicable certifications or training, such as food handling, building maintenance, or security credentials, are preferred where relevant to the role.

Why TEP

At TEP, every team member is a valued contributor to our mission and our community. We invest in our people through competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a collaborative, supportive school culture that empowers staff to do their best work every day.

TEP has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and on 60 Minutes for its radical investment in teachers and outstanding results. When you join TEP, you become part of a mission-driven community united by a shared commitment to students, families, and educational equity in Washington Heights and Inwood, New York City.

Benefits for full-time staff include:

  • Competitive compensation
  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 403(b) retirement plan
  • Commuter benefits and dependent care accounts
  • Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), and Life Insurance, 100% paid by TEP
  • Robust paid time off and school holidays
  • Free healthy and delicious lunch, prepared daily by TEP’s Kitchen Team
  • A supportive, collaborative, and mission-driven school community

Ready to Join Our Team?

We are always looking for dedicated, reliable professionals who take pride in their work, are committed to student safety and well-being, and want to contribute to a school community that is making a real difference in the lives of children and families in New York City. Explore our current openings today and take the next step toward a meaningful career at The Equity Project Charter School in Washington Heights and Inwood.

FAQ

Roles may include facilities and maintenance support, kitchen and food service positions, and school safety support roles that are essential to the daily functioning of TEP’s campuses. These team members help maintain clean, safe, and welcoming environments, ensure that nutritious meals are prepared and served, and support orderly routines during arrival, dismissal, and throughout the school day. Availability of these positions depends on current openings, enrollment, and campus needs, and may vary by location and time of year. As staffing needs evolve, opportunities may become available across different campuses, offering candidates the chance to contribute to a mission-driven school community in vital operational and student-facing roles.

Not always. While some positions may prefer prior school-based experience, many roles place greater emphasis on reliability, professionalism, and relevant experience in areas such as facilities, food service, security, or safety support. Candidates who demonstrate a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a student-centered environment are highly valued. Each job posting clearly outlines the specific qualifications, experience, and any certifications required or preferred for that role, allowing applicants to understand expectations and determine the best fit.

School safety support roles help maintain a safe, orderly, and well-supervised environment across the school day. Team members support key routines such as student arrival, dismissal, and transitions between classes, helping ensure that movement through the building is calm, structured, and secure. Depending on the specific position and campus, responsibilities may also include monitoring entrances and common areas, supporting supervision during lunch or recess, and communicating with staff and families as needed. Through a visible, consistent presence and clear expectations, safety staff play an important role in protecting student well-being and creating an environment where learning can take place without disruption.

Reliability, attention to detail, teamwork, and a strong student-first mindset are essential for success in these roles. Team members are expected to show up consistently, follow through on responsibilities, and take pride in doing their work accurately and thoroughly. Working collaboratively with colleagues is critical, as these roles support shared systems and daily routines that depend on trust and coordination. Calm judgment and professionalism during busy or high-pressure moments help ensure that students feel safe, supported, and cared for. Consistent follow-through and steady, solutions-oriented problem solving allow the school day to run smoothly and help protect learning time for students and teachers alike.

Yes. School-based roles require background checks and appropriate clearance requirements, consistent with working in a school environment and with children. All candidates must successfully complete required screenings in accordance with state and local regulations before beginning employment. These processes help ensure the safety, well-being, and protection of students, families, and staff. By maintaining rigorous clearance standards, TEP upholds a secure and trusted school community where students can learn and grow in a safe and supportive setting.

It depends on the position. Each job posting clearly specifies whether the role is full-time, part-time, or seasonal, along with expected hours and schedule. Reviewing the individual listing is the best way to understand the time commitment and work schedule for a specific position.

Apply online through TEP’s careers page to view current openings and submit your application for roles that match your interests and experience. Each posting includes detailed information about responsibilities, qualifications, and location so you can find the best fit. If there is no current opening that aligns with your background or career goals, you can join TEP’s talent network to stay connected and be considered for future opportunities as positions become available across campuses and departments.

A resume is typically recommended as part of the application. Candidates should highlight any relevant experience, skills, or certifications related to facilities and maintenance, food service, safety, or school operations. This may include previous work in building upkeep, custodial services, kitchen or cafeteria operations, security, logistics, or customer service. Including details about reliability, teamwork, and experience working in structured or student-centered environments can help demonstrate readiness for a school-based role and alignment with TEP’s commitment to safe, well-run, and welcoming campuses.

Thanks for reading about Facilities, Kitchen & School Safety Positions!

Up Next:

Social Work & Student Support Positions