Children's Center - Cook 0602

Associated Students Inc., CSUF•Fullerton, CA

6d•$25 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Cook prepares meals from scratch and serves breakfast, lunch, snacks, and supper for children enrolled at the Children's Center and staff who eat with them. Meals should be delicious, diverse, attractive, and nutritious, encouraging positive attitudes about eating, and must meet the Child and Adult Care Food Program's requirements for quantity, composition, and quality. The Cook works with staff to support the mission, philosophy, and goals of the ASI Children's Center Program. The role plans a minimum four-week rotating menu, maintains kitchen supplies and inventory, prepares and portions meals, accommodates infants and children with allergies, and keeps required food-program records. The Cook maintains kitchen cleanliness and food safety, trains and supervises Kitchen Assistants, and participates in required safety, health, mandated-reporter, child-abuse-prevention, and emergency training. The position is part-time, hourly, non-exempt, and directly supervised by the Director of the Children's Center. Work takes place in a kitchen and includes occasional exposure to varying indoor and outdoor environments, food, disinfecting solutions, noise, dirt or dust, fumes or odors, vibrations, a gas stove, mechanical and electrical equipment, and steam. The role includes face-to-face and telephone contact with staff, children, parents, and the campus community, and may involve contact with childhood illnesses. Off-campus or after-hours events, meetings, or retreats may be required. Occasional driving may be required. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities. Employment requires passing a pre-employment TB test, providing proof of pertussis and measles immunizations and either flu immunization or a declination form, a satisfactory employment history and criminal background investigation, and compliance with Mandatory Reporter requirements. If driving is required, a valid driver’s license and current auto insurance must be on file and the employee must meet CSURMA driving standards.

Requirements

One year of experience cooking for a group.
Food Handling Certificate.
Knowledge of effective cooking techniques, food safety, and sanitation, and the ability to follow and adjust recipes accurately.
Maintain current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification.
Aptitude for learning and following proper record-keeping practices.
Ability to compute quantities accurately and carefully record quantities prepared and served.
Interest in serving attractive meals to young children and understanding nutrition principles and values for developing children.
Ability to work with children and adults within the Children's Center's established structure and philosophy.
Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and interests and collaborate constructively with coworkers, customers, and others.
Ability to communicate respectfully, listen to and consider suggestions, keep commitments and others informed, and address problems constructively.
Ability to meet the role's physical requirements, including extended sitting or standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting and carrying kitchen equipment and supplies, reaching, grasping, climbing, balancing, pushing, and pulling; lifting is limited to no more than 30 pounds.
Good vision and hearing for communication and interaction in different settings.
Pass a pre-employment TB test.
Provide proof of pertussis and measles immunizations and either flu immunization or a completed Declination of Vaccination form.
Satisfactory employment history and criminal background investigation.
Serve as a Mandatory Reporter and sign the ASI Mandatory Reporter Form.
If required to drive, maintain a valid driver’s license and current auto insurance on file and meet CSURMA driving standards.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with young children.
Completion of coursework in culinary arts.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

Plan at least a four-week cycle menu for breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and suppers; vary the menu, include seasonal fruits and vegetables, and introduce new items periodically.
Keep the kitchen pantry stocked; prepare shopping lists, place orders, shop as needed, maintain food and supply inventory, and report equipment needs to the Director.
Prepare breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper in advance; portion food for classrooms and help deliver it.
Adapt foods for infants and children with allergies and store leftover food safely and properly.
Maintain accurate daily food-program reports, including menus, quantities required and used, and numbers served, for Child and Adult Care Food Program reimbursement.
Maintain kitchen and equipment cleanliness; clean up after meals; wash and store preparation and serving equipment; regularly clean appliances; organize cupboards and food storage areas; and assist with food-service-related housekeeping.
Train and supervise Kitchen Assistants in meal service, cleanup, effective preparation and cooking methods, and kitchen safety.
Follow safety procedures, attend and/or provide monthly safety meetings, participate in required staff health and safety, Mandated Reporter, child-abuse-prevention training and emergency drills, and maintain current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervise Kitchen Assistants, including assigning work and duties, directing task order, participating in hiring and termination decisions or recommendations, rewarding or disciplining employees, addressing grievances, managing time-off requests and leaves, and being accountable for supervised employees' performance.