Lead Pre K-8 Cook

Building: Barrington Elementary
Time Schedule: Monday–Friday, 10-month position
Hours: 7:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Salary Rate: $19.37–$21.45 per hour
Reports to: Director of Nutritional Services
Employment Status: Classified – Regular/Part-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Probationary Period: 120 days

Description

The Pre K-8 Cook plays a crucial role in supporting the nutritional and educational goals of the school by providing healthy, balanced, and appealing meals to students. The PreK-8 Cook assists in planning and preparing all aspects of breakfast and/or lunch menus and service, and supports the efficient operation of their designated kitchen/cafeteria while adhering to all health, safety, and USDA guidelines/standards. The Pre K-8 Cook will promote healthy eating and support a service-friendly, team, and welcoming environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• One to two years of related experience
• Level II Certification or ability to attain within the first 6 months of employment

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate ideas and directives clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to estimate the amount of food needed for one day's menu
• Ability to follow recipes
• Ability to read and understand verbal and written instructions, written warnings, and labels
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently during lunch periods
• Effective, active listening skills
• Experience cooking in large quantities
• Experience in preparing school lunches
• Knowledge of various cooking procedures
• Organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to supervise others performing semi-skilled and general cafeteria duties
• Thorough understanding of friendly customer service

Responsibilities

• Adhere to federal, state, and local laws pertaining to school food service programs
• Adhere to prescribed standardized recipes
• Adhere to rigid sanitary standards in work and attire
• Assist in the daily cleaning of all kitchen equipment
• Prepare all meals
• Perform monthly inventory of supplies and order supplies as needed
• Prepare the food service daily report or equivalent and complete production records daily
• Maintain kitchen security by locking and unlocking doors and storage areas, and checking freezer and refrigerator temperatures daily in accordance with the board of health regulations
• Keep records of all receipts and categorize into children's lunches, free and reduced lunches, milk, à la carte, and adult receipts
• Assist with regular inventories of raw food, materials, and equipment
• Attend meetings, online training courses, and in-services as required
• Ensure the safety of students
• Fill out daily usage papers
• Follow the rules, regulations, and policies of the school lunch program
• Follow the school district menu and ensure all necessary foods and supplies are on hand in accordance with the menu
• Interact in a positive manner with staff, students, and parents
• Maintain orderly and clean work areas
• Maintain respect at all times for confidential information, e.g., free and reduced lunch students
• Set up serving lines as needed and appropriate
• Make contacts with the public with tact and diplomacy
• Prepare and serve food in an attractive manner
• Prepare and serve quality food to the students in a quick and pleasant manner
• Prepare foods prior to serving to ensure cleanliness, appropriate thickness, serving size – this includes but is not limited to washing veggies, cutting meats, dishes, and side dishes
• Prepare sandwiches, hot and cold, casseroles, soups, pizzas, desserts, nachos, and other à la carte foods
• Monitor all equipment while in use
• Report the inferior quality of food or faulty equipment to the appropriate supervisor
• Schedule and plan in advance the foods that need to be defrosted
• Serve food to students
• Straighten and put away stock in storage areas
• Check milk and bread deliveries
• Responsible for baked items on the menu
• Take a milk count from the staff and prepare for each period
• Record all leftover food on the daily worksheet and food report
• Wash pots, pans, and other utensils; scrub and sanitize sinks, tabletops, and countertops; and maintain cleanliness throughout the area
• Promote good public relations by personal appearance, attitude, and conversation
• Serve as a role model for students in how to conduct themselves as citizens and as responsible, intelligent human beings
• Follow district attendance and timesheet/time clock procedures
• Complete food services time sheets
• Plan accordingly and do your best not to have excess or waste
• Respond to routine questions and requests in an appropriate manner
• Ability to work as a team and assist the department as needed
• Creativity in food preparation and how it is presented to customers
• Ability to organize and maintain lunch count when the point of sale system is not working
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Nutritional Services
• Maintain cleanliness throughout the kitchen and work areas
• Organize daily routine to ensure lunches are served in a timely manner
• Serve as a role model for the District

Equipment Operated

• Point of sale computer system
• Calculator
• Copy machine
• Pencil and paper
• Can opener
• Conventional oven/stove
• Food thermometer
• Gas stove
• Fire prevention system
• Dishwasher
• Food processor
• Grinder
• Knives
• Microwave
• Mixer
• Slicer
• Steamer
• Other related kitchen equipment necessary to complete duties as a Pre K-8 Cook

Additional Working Conditions

• Frequent excessive standing during the assigned workday
• Occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and tissue
• Occasional interaction with unruly adults and children
• Occasional requirement to lift, carry, push, and pull various items up to a maximum of 25 pounds, 300 pounds (on wheels)
• Frequent requirement to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see, read, speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, crouch, kneel, climb, stoop, and balance
• Frequent repetitive hand motion, e.g., cutting and grinding
• Frequently move around the workspace and travel throughout the school building
• Frequently move and position oneself as necessary to access and operate equipment

Employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance use in the workplace throughout employment with the district.