Cook - Dover School Nutrition
About The Position
The Cook prepares fresh, nutritious meals for students according to school menus, ensuring food is cooked safely and presented with care. The role maintains a clean, organized, and well-stocked kitchen and works with the food service team to serve meals on time in a welcoming manner. The Cook also supports special dietary needs and food-allergy safety procedures. This is a full-time, non-exempt position aligned with the school district’s food service schedule. The position is primarily based at a school site, with occasional travel to other district locations for substitute coverage or operational support. Occasional extended hours may be needed for special events or operational needs. The work takes place primarily in a kitchen and food service production environment, with moderate to loud noise during meal service.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- At least 1 year of professional culinary or food-service experience.
- Proficiency in recipe procedures and cooking techniques, including batch cooking and recipe execution.
- Commitment to cleanliness, food safety, and sanitation requirements.
- ServSafe certification, or willingness to obtain it within a defined timeframe after hire.
- Local food-safety certification in the jurisdiction of employment.
- Ability to speak and read English sufficiently to understand and perform assignments, follow recipes, and comply with safety requirements.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a food-service team in a fast-paced kitchen.
- Dependable, positive, and professional attitude.
- Genuine interest in school nutrition and student health.
- Ability to stand for most of the workday; frequently walk, talk, and hear; handle food, tools, and equipment; and reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, including while turning side to side.
- Ability to work around hot and cold temperatures and move in and out of storerooms and near ovens and freezers.
- Close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Nice To Haves
- School nutrition or institutional food-service experience.
Responsibilities
- Cook and prepare a variety of meals according to school menus.
- Ensure food is safely cooked and presented with care.
- Maintain a clean, organized, stocked, and properly maintained kitchen workspace and service station.
- Work with team members to serve meals in a timely and friendly manner.
- Support special dietary needs and food-allergy safety procedures.
- Follow recipes and meet portioning, presentation, and nutritional compliance standards.
- Follow HACCP, ServSafe, and applicable food-safety and sanitation requirements.
- Complete temperature logs and production records accurately and on time.
- Manage the timing and sequencing of cooking operations to meet meal-service deadlines.
- Follow company policies, production standards, and assigned schedules.
- Travel occasionally to other school locations within the district for coverage or operational support.
Benefits
- Paid training
- Steady hours
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Retirement benefits
- Paid time off
- Opportunities for growth
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
