Lead Cook

Geary County USD 475 • Junction City, KS

18d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Cook supports cooking-kitchen operations by ensuring food quality, food safety, general safety, and required records meet applicable state and federal standards. The role works with kitchen employees to promote efficient and effective operations and reports employee or safety issues to the Kitchen Manager. The Lead Cook prepares food according to schedules and standardized recipes, assists with service, and helps coordinate and train cafeteria staff. The position is based in a cafeteria kitchen and dining room and is a 9-month term of employment. Job performance is evaluated at least once per year.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to pass the USD 475 Math test.
• Experience in large-scale cooking.
• Complete the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Food Safety Basics class within six months of hire.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance.
• Ability to work constructively and cooperatively with others and respond to information requests courteously, promptly, and helpfully.
• Ability to manage responsibilities and meet established deadlines, pre-plan, set priorities, and manage time to meet production timelines.
• Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer and maintain confidentiality of student and staff information.
• English proficiency sufficient to read and understand recipes, adjust recipes, and communicate with coworkers and the cafeteria manager.
• Knowledge and practice of health and safety standards.
• Ability to safely operate and clean commercial ovens, mixers, stoves, can openers, and food warmers.
• Physical ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, push food carts, bend, reach, and stand for extended periods, potentially four hours at a time.
• Ability to interact with staff, meet the demands of several people, and be responsible for the work output of others.

Responsibilities

• Ensure food quality meets standards and that employees follow food-safety and general-safety procedures.
• Complete required school records, including plate counts and temperature logs, and properly complete transport sheets with times and temperatures in accordance with Health Department regulations.
• Maintain good personal hygiene and follow safety procedures.
• Prepare entrees, vegetables, and other foods according to schedules, quality standards, and standardized recipes.
• Assist with food service as needed, following established portion-control standards.
• Coordinate and direct activities with cooks and other employees to promote smooth kitchen operations.
• Work with Kitchen Managers on employee attendance, food and supply needs, equipment work orders, and other problems.
• Organize work efficiently while maintaining health, safety, and sanitation standards during preparation, service, and cleanup.
• Monitor equipment operation and promptly report apparent unsafe or unsanitary conditions to the cafeteria manager.
• Assist in training cafeteria staff in food preparation and the efficient, safe use of equipment.
• Wear appropriate attire for safety and sanitation, including long pants, closed-toe shoes, shirts with sleeves, hairnets, and no dangling jewelry, stone-set rings, long fingernails, or artificial or polished nails.
• Attend in-service meetings.
• Perform other job-related duties as directed.

What This Job Offers

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