Cook

Silver Key Senior Services, Inc. • Colorado Springs, CO

20d • Onsite

About The Position

The primary responsibility of this position is to prepare meals and support daily kitchen operations in alignment with organizational standards, nutritional guidelines, and food safety regulations. This includes preparation of meals for Home Delivered Meals, Meals on Wheels, Connections Café, visitors, staff, and others. The Nutrition Cook ensures consistency, cost‑effectiveness, and quality while following all requirements of Title III‑C of the Older Americans Act and Volume 10 of the Older Coloradoans Act.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Silver Key Senior Services' mission, policies, procedures, business‑specific software, and safety regulations.
• Must successfully complete required drug screening and background checks, including Colorado Adult Protective Services (CAPS).
• High school diploma or GED.
• Three to five years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must pass all required background checks, ServSafe basic certification required within 90 days of hire, and must maintain valid driver's license and insurance.
• Requires standing and walking for extended periods, must use hands and fingers for kitchen tasks, must be able to reach, talk, hear, taste, smell, and occasionally stoop, kneel, or crouch, and must be able to lift up to 50 pounds of food or equipment.
• Position requires close, distance and peripheral vision.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to train small groups of volunteers.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to apply common‑sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagram‑form instructions. Able to address problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge/understanding of Health, Safety, Sanitation, Emergency rules and regulations.
• Experience in planning and food service operations management.
• Basic proficiency with office software, sanitation and cleaning technologies, learning management Systems, communication tools (e.g., instant messaging), time and attendance systems, food safety record‑keeping systems, inventory management software, POS or kitchen display systems, and must be able to enter data accurately with minimal errors.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and cooks various types of food in accordance with approved menus and dietary requirements.
• Monitors the quality of raw and cooked food, as well as materials and supplies.
• Assists with food rotation and inventory levels to uphold product integrity.
• Coordinates the production of hot food for Home Delivered Meals, Meals on Wheels, Connections Café, and catered events.
• Assists with menu planning, recipe development, and recipe modifications to meet regulatory and dietary requirements.
• Estimates food, ingredients, and supply needs and associated costs.
• Inspects supplies, maintains equipment and work areas, and ensures adherence to standards.
• Demonstrates proper cooking techniques and equipment usage to staff, volunteers, and culinary students.
• Provides general guidance to staff, volunteers, and students in interacting with vendors, drivers, and the public.
• Performs additional tasks assigned, including dishwashing, floor maintenance, freezer organization, inventory management, food donation, opening and closing procedures, and driving.
• Modifies work procedures and processes as needed to meet deadlines.
• Supports special events as required.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Silver Key values the growth and development of our full-time hourly employees. With supervisor approval, you can take advantage of various professional development opportunities to build your skills and advance your career. These opportunities are tailored to help you excel in your role and contribute more effectively to our mission of serving seniors.
• Mental Health First Aid
• Peer Support Certification
• Other Supervisor-Approved Trainings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED