Lead Cook

Child-Parent Centers, Inc. • Tucson, AZ

3h • $15 - $15 • Onsite

About The Position

Child-Parent Centers prides itself on serving delicious and nutritious meals that our Lead Cook prepares in our Head Start center kitchen, and we are looking for an experienced and passionate Lead Cook to join our team. The ideal candidate for this position has previous experience preparing breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks using cyclical menus that support the growth and development of 100-120 enrolled preschool aged children. The Lead Cook enjoys the convenience of a semi commercial kitchen environment, yet the feeling of home with "family style" meals served in the classrooms. The Lead Cook is responsible for all aspects of food service at the center including food orders, food storage, sanitary practices, meal prep, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) compliance, dish washing, and kitchen clean up. This position requires effective communication and organizational skills, the ability to work in a time sensitive environment, and strong math skills to keep costs within acceptable standards. Reporting to the Site Supervisor, the Lead Cook position is an experienced level position funded to work 8 hours per day Monday through Friday. If you have food service and/or food preparation experience and enjoy preparing healthy meals and introducing children to nutritional activities, please submit an application today!

Requirements

• Possess a High School Diploma or GED
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Possess a valid Arizona driver's license and excellent driving record.
• Prior experience in one or more of the following food service activities: direct responsibility for preparing nutritious meals, scheduling meals, proper food handling and storage, food inventory, food ordering, and working with the Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Office 365 (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Submit a current AZ Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card prior to start date.
• Must be able to travel to and from various sites in private vehicle as needed.
• Provide proof of immunizations: MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Tdap (adult Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), and clear Tuberculosis Self-Assessment.
• Able to pass a company paid physical exam prior to starting work.
• Able to pass a criminal background check.
• Must be able to prove the right to work in the USA by providing appropriate documents to complete the Federal I-9 form.
• Must possess or have the ability to possess and keep current certification in First Aid Training/CPR training including Infants and Children.
• Must be able to obtain the State of Arizona Food Safety Manager Certification and Food Handlers Class within one month of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand Spanish.
• Three (3) year’s experience working with the Child and Adult Care Food Program or School Lunch Program.
• Three (3) year’s experience working with Head Start.

Responsibilities

• Prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks using cycle menus that comply with Child and Adult Care Food Program and Head Start guidelines. Ensure specific nutritional needs of children are met and keep costs within budgetary limitations.
• Post menus and advise center staff of proposed changes.
• Plan meals for 100-120 children, calculate food requirements, and order food from vendor using centralized ordering system. Limit local shopping for approved items and errands to center workday and/or before or after preparation and clean-up times.
• Prepare quantity of food to meet CACFP and Head Start Standards.
• Maintain entire kitchen to meet sanitation requirements; clean dishes, stove, carts and works surfaces after mealtimes. Make efficient use of available space and utensils. Keep surfaces grease and clutter free.
• Demonstrate sanitary practices in relation to preparation of food and personal hygiene.
• Supply food related to cycle menu for nutritional experiences in the classroom; participate, upon request of education staff, in learning experiences for children related to nutrition.
• Provide nutrition information and/or nutrition experiences for parents whenever necessary; prepares nutritional snacks for parent activities.
• Prepare, deliver and pick up food carts (as required by center needs).
• Use the proper method in storage of food.
• Use the proper method for food handling (Including potentially hazardous foods), labeling and dating of all food.
• Participate in developing Accommodation /Special Care Plans for children requiring special diets whenever requested by the Registered Dietician.
• Purchase (when required) and prepare meals to meet the needs of children requiring special diets.
• Supervise assigned staff by providing direction, input, and feedback using tools and resources provided in the agency’s performance planning, supervision and evaluation system.
• Provide a minimum of one supported supervision meeting per month to assigned staff. Use reflective practice supervision and coaching strategies with consistency and equity to create a learning environment that supports development while maintaining accountability for performance.
• Support and monitor assigned staff in professional achievement or personal growth through the professional development system.
• Identify self-growth, development goals, and strategies for achievement with support and input from supervisor.
• Commit and participate in consistent and planned meetings with supervisor to further professional growth by seeking feedback, reflecting on and assessing own practice, and taking advantage of opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.
• Maintain Daily Inventory of food and food service supplies.
• Complete/submit kitchen/disposable supplies order forms used in food services to Procurement.
• Maintain inventory of kitchen appliances and equipment.
• Maintain daily record of number of meals served, the Child and Adult Care Food Program menu production worksheets, cycle menus and recipes.
• Submit monthly Child and Adult Care Food Program reports to Food Services.
• Receive food orders, sign bills and submit paperwork and bills to Accounting on the established schedule.
• Actively participate on the center team and contribute to the decision-making process for compliance, strategic initiatives, professional development, budget, governance, and agency self-assessment
• Lead and implement the food services program at the center and coordinate with other staff that includes substitutes and volunteers.
• Recruit volunteers and substitutes for the kitchen
• Train and support volunteers, substitutes and center staff with kitchen procedures, routines, and the proper use of equipment.
• Work cooperatively with the center team and communicate need to know information on a daily basis.
• Understand and model the agency's vision, mission, and philosophy within the agency and the community.
• Demonstrate approachability, ownership, accountability, and life-long learning.
• Use the agency's communication and problem-solving approach.
• Seek perspective of others.
• Identify emerging issues and contribute new knowledge.
• Work to de-escalate when emotions and stakes are high.
• Maintain professional behavior and relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Use agency systems and technologies to accomplish work.
• Maintain a high level of attendance to support ongoing service delivery.
• Recognizes children's safety as the first responsibility of all staff and acts swiftly to ensure no child is unsupervised.
• Implement agency policies and procedures for safeguarding confidential or sensitive information about employees and/or program participants. Restrict access to paper or electronic documents to those with a need to know.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid Leave - 25 paid holidays, 5 days paid vacation after one year and up to 10 days each year thereafter, 8 days paid Personal leave first year, 9 days each year thereafter, up to 5 days paid Sick leave per year
• Insurance benefits - dental, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Savings Accounts, PPO medical (3 plans), Vision, and Supplemental Life coverage for self, spouse, and child ($25,000 basic life and Accidental death and disability provided by employer)
• Retirement Plan - Agency contribution after years of services and hours eligibility criteria are met. Employee 401k deferral once eligibility is met.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees