Head Start - Food Service Worker (Oak Harbor)

Skagit Valley College•Oak Harbor, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Head Start is a federal program dedicated to serving vulnerable children and families, including those experiencing homelessness, poverty, foster care involvement, or other significant life stressors. The program emphasizes inclusive environments where children are not expelled or excluded due to behavioral issues, disabilities, or special needs. Instead, individualized support is provided to ensure all children are healthy and ready for kindergarten. Skagit Valley College, as part of its mission to expand opportunities and strengthen communities, operates Skagit/Island Head Start. This program builds strong foundations for lifelong learning through family-centered, child-focused partnerships. The Food Service Worker plays a crucial role in this by maintaining accurate records for USDA and CACFP compliance, supporting the preparation and serving of nutritious meals, and collaborating on nutrition-related activities. The position also contributes to kitchen and classroom cleanliness and laundry. This role reports to the Center Manager and is primarily based in Oak Harbor, with potential for temporary reassignment or travel for meetings and training. The position is grant-funded and works 10.75 months per year.

Requirements

High School completion, GED, or equivalent
One (1) year of food service experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
Have, or the ability to obtain, a current Food Handler's Permit
Knowledge of kitchens and dining routines involved preparing and serving food
Knowledge of operation of standard kitchen appliances and equipment
Knowledge of food service cleanliness and sanitary conditions
Knowledge of personal hygiene
Knowledge of housekeeping practices and custodial cleaning techniques, and the safe use of cleaning chemicals
Must pass a criminal background check prior to employment
Must provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986
Must pass a MERIT background check including fingerprints through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
Within 30 days of hire, must have or obtain: an initial health examination indicating freedom from communicable diseases; proof of a Tuberculosis (TB) test taken within 12 months prior to the initial employment date; proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination OR proof of immunity from measles; CPR/First Aid card
Must have, or ability to obtain by the time of hire, a Washington State driver's license or equivalent, and proof of auto insurance
Must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer.
Must be a member of the WPEA within thirty (30) calendar days of appointment at this classification.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) or more years of experience in food service
Experience in an early learning setting

Responsibilities

Helps to maintain accurate records in compliance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements, including menus, recipes, production records, and receipts.
Supports the Cook II in ensuring well-balanced, nutritious meals are prepared and served three times daily (breakfast, lunch, and snack), meeting CACFP component requirements and Head Start guidelines for sugar, fat, and sodium.
Collaborates with Cook II, management, and lead teachers to support nutrition-related classroom activities and promote healthy eating habits for children.
Provides support with kitchen cleaning, cleaning of classroom materials, and laundry, as needed.
Prepares food for breakfast, lunch, and snack.
Assists with implementing menus that meet menu requirements based on staffing levels and the number and ages of children present, in compliance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements.
Assists with recipe and menu adjustments.
Prepares ingredients and supports scratch-based food production following established recipes and USDA/CACFP requirements.
Assists with purchasing, receiving, and storing food and supplies that meet Head Start Performance Standards, USDA/CACFP requirements, and Department of Children, Youth, and Families licensing requirements, as applicable.
Transports and delivers meals and food items to Early Head Start sites as assigned.
Washes, portions, prepares, cooks, bakes, and steams food items as assigned.
Prepares fruits, vegetables, snacks, and other food items according to established menus and recipes.
Assists with meal portioning and service.
Completes and ensures compliance according to the health department, USDA/CACFP requirements.
Assists the Cook II with maintaining required food service records, documentation, and binders in compliance with health department and USDA/CACFP requirements.
Follows appropriate food handling practices, using disposable gloves, keeping food at proper temperature, and recording food temperatures in compliance with the local health department.
Understands and complies with Health Department and USDA/CACFP requirements.
Supports classroom staff in ensuring appropriate serving sizes are offered, including identifying correct serving utensils.
Inventories and maintains necessary kitchen supplies.
Cleans up after meals, utilizing proper dishwashing methods to assure sanitation of dishes and food service equipment.
Sanitizes tables and areas where children eat, the food preparation area, and any food transportation equipment used.
Disposes of food waste using an appropriate container.
Performs periodic cleaning of cupboards, high and low dusting, cleaning inside windows, and other general center cleaning tasks assigned.
May wash, dry, fold, and put away laundered items.
May assist staff with clean-up activities from the classroom.
May assist in children’s self-help skills.
May assist children in modeling family-style eating routines.
May assist in the supervision of children upon arrival/departure, on the playground, and in the classroom and/or bathrooms.
Completes ongoing job-related program and personal documentation in an accurate and timely manner, including ctcLink time reporting and program surveys.