Dietary Aide

Are you passionate about children's health and nutrition? Do you have a heart for helping little ones grow strong and healthy? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate part-time Dietary Aide to join our Head Start program starting in August. As a vital member of our team, you will play a key role in ensuring that our young students receive nutritious and delicious meals that support their growth and development.

If you are looking for a rewarding position that allows you to make a positive impact on the lives of children, apply now to be part of our dynamic and caring team!

JOB SUMMARY:

This position assists in all kitchen services to provide nutrition, high-quality meals for Head Start children and staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in preparing and serving appropriate number of meals and snacks as indicated by menus, number of children present, production records, and food service requests.
• Prepare foods using standardized recipes, production records and standard food handling practices and ensure that all food is ready for serving at specified times.
• Obtain approval of Nutrition Coordinator for any significant menu or recipe changes and record menu(s) on menu board.
• Practice Safe Food Handling Guidelines and kitchen sanitation standards as required by local, state and federal guidelines in handling food and equipment at all times.
• Clean dishes, pots and pans, according to required sanitation standards set forth during training.
• Maintain freezer and refrigerator temperature charts on a daily basis.
• Follow security procedures for locking up kitchen and storage areas and assure that chemicals in the work area are locked up and out of children's reach.
• Assist in maintaining on-going record keeping system including inventory, recipes, production records, invoices, meal count figures and receiving records and deliveries and receiving and putting away deliveries.
• Participate in on-going site evaluation of menu acceptability, plate waste, and feeding atmosphere. Eat in the classroom on a regular basis.
• Participate in classroom nutrition education activities when assigned and as time permits.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Must adhere to all policies and procedures set for proper handling of food.
• Must maintain self-control and manage difficult or emotional situations with tact and professionalism.
• Must communicate clearly, both orally and in written format.
• Must be organized to ensure timely and accurate documentation of required records and reports.
• Must demonstrate respect and sensitivity at all times for cultural, racial and economic differences.
• Must treat others with respect and consideration to foster a teamwork environment.
• Must support and advocate agency mission and philosophy.
• Engages parents and families and forms mutually supportive relationships with them.

USING ACTIVE SUPERVISON TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE:

Head Start, Inc. uses the strategy of Active Supervision to ensure that no child is left unattended while in the care of Head Start, Inc. Incidents of children left unsupervised must be immediately reported to the Executive Director.

All Head Start, Inc. employees are responsible for the safety of children in our program. Active Supervision requires focused attention and intentional observation of children at all times. All employees who care for children position themselves in classrooms, on playgrounds, in hallways, on buses, on field trips and in any space where children are present so that they can observe all children: watching, counting, and listening at all times. They also use their knowledge of each child's development and abilities to anticipate what he/she will do, then get involved and redirect them when necessary.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee works in a busy food kitchen environment. The employee is exposed to kitchen chemicals, humidity, hot stoves, sharp cutting utensils and other kitchen equipment. Noise level is usually moderate to loud.

COMMENTS:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of this position. Other functions and duties may be assigned as determined to be necessary for overall job accomplishment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

High School Diploma or GED/equivalent and a minimum of six months' experience cooking in a quantity food service operation preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, listen, stand, walk and sit. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is also often required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste or smell and move quickly to respond to children’s health or safety needs.

The employee must be able to stand for long periods of time and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.