Culinary Support Specialist - The Childcare Center at HortWoods

The Pennsylvania State University • University Park, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Child Care Center at Hort Woods, a University-managed facility, is seeking a full-time Culinary Support Specialist. This individual will contribute to the wellness, growth, and development of children attending Hort Woods. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy food service operation, upholding food quality control procedures, following public health and welfare directives, ensuring compliance with governmental mandates and University policies, addressing and correcting discrepancies, and keeping accurate records. They will also plan meal and snack menus meeting proper nutritional requirements and child-care food guidelines, manage food substitutions to meet special dietary needs including allergies, oversee the kitchen budget, examine expenses, and identify cost containment. Additionally, the role involves maintaining inventories, anticipating requisition needs and placing orders, negotiating prices, and resolving quality and quantity issues. The specialist will interact with Center families, young children, and educators to meet special requests and dietary needs, and participate in yearly trainings as assigned, including PSU requirements and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) federal food program requirements.

Requirements

• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, both verbally and in writing
• Organizational skills with an attention to detail
• Ability to function in a fast-paced team environment
• Computer skills to complete ordering and menu preparation
• General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS)
• 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• A health physical with TB test is required prior to starting the position.
• PA State Police Criminal Background Check
• PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form
• Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check
• National Sex Offender Registry Clearance (NSOR)
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• ServSafe certification preferred

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe and healthy food service operation
• Uphold food quality control procedures
• Follow public health and welfare directives
• Ensure compliance with governmental mandates and University policies
• Address and correct discrepancies
• Keep accurate records
• Plan meal and snack menus meeting proper nutritional requirements and child-care food guidelines
• Manage food substitutions to meet special dietary needs including allergies
• Oversee kitchen budget
• Examine expenses
• Identify cost containment
• Maintain inventories
• Anticipate requisition needs and place orders
• Negotiate prices
• Resolve quality and quantity issues
• Interact with Center families, young children and educators to meet special requests and dietary needs
• Participate in yearly trainings as assigned that include: PSU requirements, Child and Adult Care Food Program Federal Food Program (CACFP); learn and understand CACFP requirements

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

What This Job Offers

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