Assistant Cook

Save the Children US•Jennings, LA

10d

About The Position

The Assistant Cook/Food Transporter assists with ordering, preparing, serving, and documenting meals and snacks for children in Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs. The role supports all phases of kitchen operations, including inventory control, food processing and storage, cleanliness, and compliance with health and food safety requirements. Meals are prepared for infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children according to approved menus and USDA/CACFP and Head Start standards. The position also safely transports meals to satellite sites and may be reassigned to different kitchens or centers as needed. As a front-line representative of Save the Children, the employee helps ensure the safety and security of children and families and represents the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and at least two years of related experience.
Demonstrated experience working in a food service environment.
Proven teamwork and customer service orientation.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
Demonstrated organizational skills, time self-management, and overall cleanliness.
Ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels, internally and externally.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Valid driver's license.
At least 21 years of age.
Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work, including exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 5–10 pounds constantly; duties include sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping.
Ability to perform duties involving repetitive action and motion, keyboarding, and computer use.
Must clear pre-employment background checks, including applicable criminal records, sex offender registry, employment, education, and child abuse registry checks, and meet state and local health requirements after the offer and before employment.
Must operate a motor vehicle for certain essential job functions and comply with Save the Children motor vehicle safety policies.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of basic food preparation and kitchen operations, including food safety requirements.
General bookkeeping skills.
Previous experience meeting Health Department regulations, USDA requirements, and Head Start standards.
Previous experience working with CACFP.
SERV Safe certification.

Responsibilities

Prepare food for children with special needs, restricted diets, medical issues, or disabilities in accordance with Save the Children policies and applicable state, federal, OHS, CACFP, and USDA requirements.
Prepare and serve food and meals according to approved menus, standardized recipes, required quantities, serving proportions, and food presentation and freshness standards.
Assist with kitchen operations and may supervise volunteer assistants depending on workload.
Assist with inventory maintenance and with processing and storing delivered food and related items.
Help ensure CACFP production books and other required documents are completed accurately each day.
Attend child nutrition and required program meetings.
Receive, inspect, and verify food, food-related items, and kitchen inventory when the Head Cook is absent.
Help operate a cost-effective food service program and control food and labor costs in accordance with applicable regulations.
Deliver meals to satellite Head Start program sites and remain in close contact with the site office while in the field.
Conduct daily pre- and post-inspections of the vehicle and maintain a clean, safe vehicle environment.
Follow the program’s delivery schedule and maintain food temperatures before and after deliveries.
Follow health and safety standards during deliveries, including movement between the vehicle and classrooms.
Report accidents or incidents to the supervisor immediately.
Perform other relevant duties assigned by the manager.

Benefits

Paid time off, including 10 days of winter break, 5 days of spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays, and 2 floating holidays per year.
Health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families.
Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability benefits.
Health Savings Account option, with an employer match for a portion of the employee contribution when enrolled in an eligible high-deductible health plan.
Flexible Spending Account options for health care and dependent care.
Agency-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
Parental, adoption, and fertility benefits.
Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
Retirement savings plan with employer contributions after one year.
Wellness support through Calm and company-hosted events.
Employee Assistance Program with free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services.
Access to internal and external learning and development opportunities and mentorships.
Certification and tuition assistance.