Cook

CHILD DEVELOPMENT•Oxnard, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cook is responsible for managing the kitchen and meal service at an assigned Head Start center. This includes supervising, training, and evaluating an assistant cook, preparing appetizing and appealing meals for children using standardized recipes, and maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment in the kitchen and dining area. The role also involves planning food purchases within budget, placing orders, receiving deliveries, and properly storing items. The Cook will assist in menu planning according to Federal and CCFP guidelines, ensure menus are posted for parents, and maintain accurate records and inventories. Additionally, the Cook will cooperate with instructional staff to plan and implement nutrition education activities, facilitate mealtime procedures, coordinate with staff, volunteers, and children during meal preparation, attend required training, and may be required to transport food between sites.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Minimum of one (1) year paid quantity cooking experience.
Knowledge of basic nutrition.
Ability to effectively speak, read, and write English and do simple arithmetic.
Ability to effectively supervise and provide leadership to assistant cooks.
Ability to exhibit flexibility.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with children, parents, and other staff.
Sensitivity to cultural beliefs and practices.
Must submit to a job-pertinent, agency-paid pre-employment physical examination, negative tuberculosis test, and criminal record background checks.
Employment is conditional pending satisfactory results of all required tests and background checks mentioned above.
Periodic physical examinations and TB clearances will be required if hired.
Mandated reporter.
A current valid California Driver’s license and access to a dependable auto with minimum appropriate insurance coverage may be required if transporting food.

Nice To Haves

School setting experience (for quantity cooking).

Responsibilities

Manage the kitchen and meal service for the assigned Head Start center.
Supervise, train, orient, and conduct timely performance evaluations of the assigned assistant cook. Conduct positive progressive intervention as needed and prepare timely related documentation.
Prepare appetizing and appealing meals in appropriate amounts for children utilizing standardized recipes.
Establish and maintain a safe and sanitary work environment in the kitchen and dining area.
Plan food purchases within the limits of the budget; place orders with appropriate vendors and central office for food and supplies, and shop at local grocery stores as needed.
Receive and check-in food deliveries; review, sign, and date invoices; and store items properly.
Assist in planning the menus within Federal and CCFP guidelines in cooperation with the health and nutrition coordinators, nutrition services specialist, instructional staff, and parents.
Ensure menus are duplicated for parents and posted at the center.
Maintain accurate required documents and records. Compile and submit monthly food reports; take monthly food inventory; and take yearly equipment inventory.
In cooperation with the instructional staff, assist in the planning and implementation of nutrition education activities and participate as needed with the children.
Contribute to a healthy and successful nutrition program by working in cooperation with the instructional staff in facilitating mealtime procedures; may include eating center-prepared meals with the children.
Coordinate with staff, volunteers, and children when working in meal preparation and service.
Attend and participate in in-service training and other meetings as required.
Transport food from one site to another, when required.
Other duties as assigned.