Early Head Start - Head Start Cook I, Prescott Valley

Nacog•Prescott Valley, AZ

About The Position

The Head Start Cook I prepares nutritious meals and snacks for Head Start children and maintains complete and accurate food service program records. The cook plans menus with parents and center staff to meet children’s nutritional requirements, purchases food within budgetary limits, and prepares and serves meals from approved menus in a family-style setting, eating with the children. The role also involves supporting classroom cooking activities, maintaining clean and sanitary food preparation and storage areas, and following health and safety rules. The cook prepares required records and reports, posts weekly menus, vendor lists, and work schedules for the cook and Lunch Aide, and participates in staff meetings, parent activities, and training. The position supervises a Lunch Aide and works under the general supervision of the Center Director after learning the job requirements. The schedule is 40 hours per week for 46 weeks per year.

Requirements

Education and training equivalent to high school graduation.
One year of nutrition and food preparation experience.
Experience and training planning and preparing nutritious meals for Head Start children, ensuring that one-third of their daily nutritional needs are met.
Knowledge of food preparation, safe food storage, and sanitation.
Genuine care and respect for children and their needs.
Physical condition adequate to meet the physical and emotional demands of the assigned duties.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with people from varied social, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
Must be bondable.
Current, valid Arizona Driver’s License.
Obtain a Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Obtain Food Managers certification as required by the County Health Department.

Responsibilities

Plan menus with parents and center staff to meet children’s nutritional requirements.
Order or purchase food for menus within budgetary limitations.
Prepare meals and snacks from the approved menu and serve them family-style, eating with the children.
Follow safe food preparation, storage, and sanitation practices.
Clean and maintain food preparation and storage areas and equipment.
Participate in classroom cooking experiences.
Prepare necessary records and reports.
Participate in general and center staff meetings, parent activities, training programs, and workshops.
Recruit parents to participate in menu planning and serve as substitute cooks.
Post weekly menus, vendor lists, and weekly work schedules for the Cook and Lunch Aide.
Observe required health and safety rules.
Supervise a Lunch Aide.
Perform related duties as assigned.