Assistant Cook

Save the Children US•Ripley, TN

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 kitchen operations, including inventory control, food processing and storage, and maintaining cleanliness and compliance with health and food safety codes. Food is prepared for infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children in accordance with menus, USDA/CACFP requirements, Head Start standards, and applicable policies and regulations. The position may be reassigned to different kitchens or centers as program operations require. The role also safely transports meals to satellite program sites, follows delivery schedules, maintains communication with site offices while in the field, and monitors food temperatures and vehicle safety. As a front-line representative of Save the Children, the employee is responsible for helping ensure the safety and security of children and families and representing 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.
Teamwork skills and a successful customer-service orientation.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
Organizational skills, time self-management, and attention to 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 and ability to operate a motor vehicle for essential job functions.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work: exert up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 5–10 pounds constantly; duties may include sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repetitive motions, keyboarding, and computer use.
Must meet pre-employment background-check requirements, including applicable criminal-record, sex-offender-registry, employment, education, and child-abuse-registry checks, and pass state and local health requirements after an offer and before employment.
Maintain a valid driver's license and comply with Save the Children policies for safe motor-vehicle operation.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of basic food preparation, kitchen operations, and food-safety requirements.
General bookkeeping skills.
Previous experience complying with Health Department regulations, USDA requirements, and Head Start standards.
Previous experience working with CACFP.
SERV Safe certification.
Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents receive preference for qualified vacancies.

Responsibilities

Prepare food for children with special needs, restricted diets, medical issues, or disabilities in accordance with agency policies and applicable state and federal requirements.
Prepare and serve meals and food-related activities as directed, following menus approved by a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Prepare and serve planned meals while attending to food presentation and freshness.
Assist the Head Cook with kitchen operations and, depending on workload, may supervise volunteer assistants.
Assist with food-service inventory, processing and storage of deliveries, and receiving, inspecting, and verifying deliveries when the Head Cook is absent.
Help ensure standardized recipes, food quantities, serving portions, and CACFP meal requirements are followed.
Help complete CACFP production books and related documents accurately each day.
Attend child nutrition and required program meetings.
Help operate a cost-effective food-service program by controlling food and labor costs and complying with federal, state, and local regulations.
Deliver meals to satellite Head Start sites and maintain contact with the site office while in the field.
Conduct daily pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections and maintain a clean, safe transporter vehicle.
Follow the delivery schedule set by program management and monitor food temperatures to maintain health and safety standards during deliveries.
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- and long-term disability benefits.
Health Savings Account option with an employer match of a portion of the employee contribution for eligible employees enrolled in a 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 benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events.
Free and confidential Employee Assistance Program assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services.
Internal and external learning and development opportunities, mentorships, certification assistance, and tuition assistance.