Assistant Cook

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Prepare meals for specified classes daily. Work with teaching team, parents and children. Kitchen clean-up daily.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Affords assistance in the preparation of foods in accordance with SCHS rotation menus and standardized recipes.
• Affords assistance in preparing meals and snacks to meet South Coast Head Start mealtime requirements and standards.
• Affords help in modifying menus and recipes and preparing foods to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and the medical and feeding needs of children with disabilities or food allergies.
• Affords help in maintaining established standards of sanitation, safety and food preparation and storage as set by the local and state health departments, including: storing foodstuffs and supplies in appropriate areas; washing dishes; cleaning refrigerators, stove, bins, cupboards and other kitchen equipment and utensils.
• Affords substitution for the Cook in her/his absence.
• Affords delivery and transportation of foods from the kitchen to the classrooms (or another site as applicable) ready to be served as suitable for the children's age and development.

TEAM EXPECTATIONS

• Teamwork - We join our individual strengths together creating teams and circles of cooperation to promote innovative thinking and bring opportunity to our community.
• Partnerships - We create collaborative community partnerships to best leverage all resources available for the benefit of the community.
• Diversity - We welcome and accept differences and honor our co-workers and clients by treating each person with equality, dignity, and respect.
• Confidentiality & Ethics - We maintain a high standard of ethics and integrity to respect the confidentiality of clients and staff.
• Physical Safety - We respond promptly to address health and safety needs or concerns for clients and staff.
• Communications - We encourage timely, open-minded, respectful, and direct communication to alleviate controversies and foster a safe, productive workplace.
• Health & Sustainability - Recognizing the importance of physical, emotional, and environmental health, we seek to inspire and model healthy, sustainable living.
• Public Relations - We recognize that each of us represents the entire agency in our public interactions and strive to act in a consistently professional and unbiased manner.
• Professional Growth - We provide an environment supportive to personal and professional growth, cross training, and advancement.

INDIVIDUAL EXPECTATIONS

• Attend staff trainings as notified.
• Maintain a positive attitude regarding ORCCA and all its programs along with the Head Start program and philosophy.
• Model behaviors that demonstrate an understanding, acceptance and welcoming of diversity.
• Maintain respect and positive communication regarding all children, families and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintain open, two-way communication with staff.
• Accept suggestions and guidance from supervisor and other management staff.
• Seek feedback on job performance and evaluate suggestions and guidance to incorporate in performance.
• Commit to further training.
• Communicate with supervisor regarding any needed changes or concerns with work schedule.
• Adhere to agency procedures as a mandated child abuse reporter.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of the position.
• Ability to perform the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Experience working with low income families is preferred.
• Experience and/or training directly related to Position Description is preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Geographic Area:
• May lift items up to 51 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Access to indoor office, in a climate-controlled environment; may not have access to sunlight. Regular activities outside in a non-climate controlled environment.
• Regular kneeling, bending, stooping and sitting on the floor.
• Regular walking and standing for prolonged periods of time.

OTHER

• A current Oregon Driver’s License is required.
• Proof of automobile liability insurance [at] $100,000/300,000 liability limits and maintain such limits.
• Reliable transportation for getting to work.
• Must be free from illegal drugs, may be subject to suspicion testing.
• Must be enrolled in the Oregon Department of Education-Child Care Division Central Background Registry at time of hire and update it as required.