Cook - Substitute, Head Start

About the Role

Our Cook prepares and serves nutritious hot meals appropriate for children, parents, and staff in the Children’s Services Program, serving approximately 80-120 meals a day. This position is responsible for purchasing necessary food items at a local grocery store and is a temporary, as-needed role serving the Lompoc & Buellton areas.

Responsibilities

• Follows appropriate fiscal procedures to obtain kitchen equipment and supplies as needed.
• Completes accurate daily documentation and monthly reports of meals served.
• Prepares and serves daily nutritious hot meals and snacks that meet CACFP guidelines.
• Cleans kitchen facilities, washes dishes, pots, and pans following meals.
• Uses food slicer, food mixer, knives, dishwasher, food scales, and other institutional kitchen equipment safely.
• Helps take physical inventory of food and kitchen supplies.
• May use personal transportation to purchase food supplies (mileage compensation provided).
• Attends regular meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Maintains a sanitary and clean kitchen on a daily basis.
• Ensures cost-effective and high-quality grocery purchases.
• Engages with coworkers, parents, volunteers, and children in a friendly and professional manner.
• Participates in monthly staff meetings and case conferencing as a team member.
• Is sensitive to children with special needs, low-income families, and cultural diversity.
• Is aware of children’s food allergies and ensures doctor-recommended substitutions are provided.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Two years’ experience as a kitchen helper with CommUnify or comparable experience in food preparation for groups, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of Internet software and Word Processing software.
• Current Valid California Driver’s License and proof of insurance with ability to qualify for coverage under Agency insurance plan.
• Must hold or obtain ServSafe certificate.
• Bilingual preferred.

Skills

Prepare and cook for 20-40 children a day and/or a total of two program options (preschool, toddler, or infant) and classroom teachers who will role model family-style dining.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, speak, and hear.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Pay

$18.00 per hour.