Early Head Start Cook/Teacher Assistant

Summary:

The Cook is responsible for the overall food service, ordering, and prepping, following established procedures and guidelines and provide educational support around nutrition. This position will also assist the center by stepping in the classroom to cover when ratio needs to be met. 

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prepare and serve well-balanced, nutritious meals in large quantities within menu requirements, following established recipes
• Maintain accurate CACFP records
• Provide guidance to food service volunteers
• Share information with appropriate staff concerning the enrolled children's dietary needs
• Maintain equipment and supplies used in the kitchen and dining area
• Conduct kitchen equipment and food inventory
• Complete production records for each meal to ensure an adequate amount of food is prepared to meet nutrition guidelines
• Participate in annual menu planning
• Maintain a clean and sanitary food prep area
• Complete and document weekly and monthly cleaning duties
• Pass the ServSafe certification class within two years of hire
• Develop weekly grocery list and purchase necessary items that cannot be ordered through the vendor
• Maintain confidentiality concerning a child's files and health needs

Competencies:

• Must communicate well and be reasonable.
• Must have organizational skills and manage time efficiently.
• Must demonstrate reliability by maintaining good attendance.
• Must have the ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must have flexibility.
• Must have ability to use and interpret cooking measurements tools
• Must promote a positive work environment
• Must have ability to work with a wide range of diverse populations and cultures
• Must have general computer knowledge

Work Environment:

• Most work will be completed in the kitchen of the assigned center.

Physical Demands:

• Limited physical demands.
• Ability to lift food items up to 15 lbs
• Ability to transfer large pans of food in and out of oven safely.
• Ability to sweep and mop kitchen floor on a daily basis.
• Physically able to lift and keep up with children birth to five years of age.
• Physically able and willing to participate in all children’s activities.
• Physically able to sit in child sized chairs or on the floor.