Cook Aide (10-month, Full-Time)

The Guidance Center•Taylor, MI

About The Position

The Cook Aide works in The Guidance Center’s Head Start/Early Head Start Program, helping maintain a clean and safe environment and supporting nutritional practices that promote children’s healthy well-being. The role follows The Guidance Center policies, Office of Head Start Performance Standards, State of Michigan Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements, and other applicable local, state, and agency policies and procedures. The position supports kitchen operations, including preparing and serving meals, ordering and receiving food and supplies, maintaining food-service equipment, washing dishes and utensils, and delivering meals to classrooms. It also assists with menu planning and required CACFP documentation. The Cook Aide participates in ongoing professional development, maintains an individual Professional Development Binder, sets annual development goals, and attends required meetings.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Experience in professional food-service operations.
Knowledge of appropriate food-preparation methods and sanitation practices.
Demonstrated cultural competency, sensitivity, and respect for the diverse backgrounds, needs, and experiences of children, families, community volunteers, and The Guidance Center employees.
Pass a physical examination and background checks before hire.

Responsibilities

Prepare and serve meals according to planned menus and nutritional and CACFP guidelines.
Follow sanitation and safety procedures, including proper food temperatures, storage, and preparation guidelines.
Order food and supplies from approved vendors to meet menu and site needs.
Assist with receiving vendor orders and verify that the correct items were delivered.
Operate, clean, and maintain food-service equipment.
Wash dishes, pots, pans, and utensils using approved sanitation methods.
Deliver meals from the kitchen to classrooms.
Assist in planning menus that meet each child’s daily nutritional needs, including the needs of children with special dietary requirements or restrictions.
Complete required reports and maintain related documentation according to CACFP guidelines, including invoice breakdowns and month-end inventory.
Attend at least 16 hours of annual professional development training on topics relevant to job responsibilities.
Maintain and update an individual Professional Development Binder.
Develop and achieve at least three professional development goals annually.
Attend staff, agency, staffing, and other meetings as required.
Maintain a clean and safe environment and comply with applicable agency, Head Start, CACFP, and other local and state requirements.