Cook (Early Care & Education)

About the role

This position is under the supervision of the Campus Supervisor and follows Head Start (HS) Federal Program Performance Standards, California Department of Education (CDE), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), CDSS Childcare Licensing Division (CLD), and Mission Neighborhood Center’s (MNC) policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Follow all CACFP guidelines.
• Plan, prepare, and serve meals and snacks for children in accordance with CACFP standards.
• Ensure meals are nutritionally balanced and appropriate for the age group.
• Follow established menus and substitute ingredients as needed while maintaining nutritional integrity.
• Maintain accurate records of meals prepared and served, including portion sizes and menu changes.
• Prepare and maintain CACFP production records, entering and verifying data in the designated system in collaboration with the Health & Nutrition Manager to ensure ongoing program compliance.
• Prepares meals/snacks in a timely fashion to be delivered by scheduled mealtimes.
• Stock food service carts with appropriate utensils, plates, bowls, food, and beverages, as required for family style dining in the classrooms.
• Transports food from kitchen area to classrooms.
• Maintain the kitchen, food preparation areas and all eating supplies clean and sanitary.
• Adhere to the guidelines of food sanitation and safe food handling practices set by the Public Health Department.
• Washes dishes, pots, pans, and utensils using approved sanitation methods.
• Aid in receiving, dating, and storing all food purchased by the campus.
• Completes necessary paperwork, including cleaning and temperature logs.
• Aids in the implementation of nutrition education activities in cooperation with the teaching staff and participates as needed with the children.
• Maintain the kitchen fully stocked with items for the next day.
• Monitor food expiration dates and food quality daily.
• Attend and participate in trainings, center pre-service and in-service trainings, and other continuing education, career and professional development opportunities.
• Participates in the agency's self-evaluation process and grantee monitoring visits and complies with any applicable Program Improvement Plans developed.
• Participates in general staff meetings, training support for other campuses looking to expand food program and other meetings and events planned by the agency.
• Performs other related duties as may be assigned.

Secondary Functions

• Follow Head Start/CDE/CLD policies and procedures in reporting suspected child abuse in accordance with federal and state laws.
• Attends meetings and/or workshops (e.g. staff/campus meetings, in-service sessions, training, and parent meetings) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions and/or maintaining their professional development.
• Must follow timekeeping policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Education: Minimum high school level reading and writing skills. High School diploma or GED.
• Experience: Minimum of six (6) months’ experience in the food services field.
• Qualifications: General knowledge of the principles of cooking and basic nutrition. Ability to work as a flexible team member. Knowledge of and ability to follow established sanitation and safe food handling.

Physical Abilities

• Ability to effectively use hands and fingers in the grasping of kitchen equipment and moving of items weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to move freely around the kitchen and storage areas to perform food preparation and food servicing duties.
• Frequent walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and prolonged periods of standing.
• Exposure to noise, heat, and hot and cold surfaces.
• Requires coordination and dexterity in handling kitchen equipment and preparing food.
• Good vision and hearing ability in ensuring kitchen safety.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

What We Offer

• Pay Rate: $28.00 - $36.00 Hourly
• Location: MNC Mission Campus
• Medical – Kaiser and Balance / Dental – Principal / Vision – Vision Care / Life Insurance - $50,000 / 403b – 3% match / FSA / Pet Care
• 15 paid sick days / 12 paid holidays / 12 paid vacation days
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program) / WADP (Working Advantage Discount Program)