Preschool Kitchen staff/Cook- EARLY EDUCATION CENTER

Greater Missoula Family YMCA • Missoula, MT

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Missoula Y is seeking a team-oriented, dependable, and compassionate Preschool Kitchen Staff/Cook to work in its Early Childcare Center with children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. The role plans, prepares, and serves healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks for infants and young children, following safe food handling and preparation guidelines and Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards. The Cook maintains food inventories, accommodates known food allergies and restrictions, and keeps the kitchen and food preparation area clean and compliant with health codes. The position works with limited supervision in a nonprofit community service environment.

The full-time role also involves child care, filling in for staff breaks, and helping teachers as needed. The posted schedule is 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; the position summary separately states that full-time cook hours start at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. The role is subject to a 12-month introductory (probationary) period. The position reports to the Development Center Director.

Requirements

• Kitchen experience and familiarity with safe food preparation and health code rules.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current CPR certification, or ability to obtain it within the first 30 days of employment.
• Ability to perform the position’s functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to communicate clearly with children, parents, members, and company personnel.
• Ability to attend required trainings and meetings, including those scheduled outside normal or regularly scheduled hours.
• Ability to present a clean, well-groomed appearance.
• Visual, auditory, and physical ability to respond to critical situations and act swiftly in an emergency.
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit for periods of time.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 55 pounds.
• Ability to bend, lean, kneel, and walk frequently.
• Ability to work around exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in child care or working with children.

Responsibilities

• Prepare breakfast, lunch, and two snacks daily.
• Maintain food inventory in accordance with menus, including checking in items and storing food.
• Accommodate children’s predetermined food allergies and food restrictions.
• Create healthy meals in accordance with HEPA guidelines.
• Maintain a clean kitchen and food preparation environment and meet or exceed health code guidelines.
• Apply safe food handling and preparation practices.
• Report supply needs and equipment damage or malfunctions to the supervisor immediately.
• Arrive on time and wear proper attire.
• Learn the names of parents and children in the center.
• Give sufficient notice of absences and find an approved substitute to cover shifts.
• Maintain harmonious relationships with staff, Y departments, volunteers, members, and the general public.
• Work in accordance with the Y core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
• Know and enforce child care rules, policies, and State of Montana licensing regulations with parents, participants, and staff.
• Complete required child sexual abuse prevention training; fulfill mandatory reporter obligations regarding suspected child abuse and cooperate with related investigations.
• Maintain positive child guidance.
• Ensure program safety and manage risk appropriately.
• Interpret and enforce safety and health regulations.
• Respond quickly and appropriately to emergency situations.
• Work enthusiastically and flexibly in a fast-changing environment with changing priorities.
• Exercise sound judgment and handle conflicts professionally and promptly.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Provide child care, cover staff breaks, and help teachers as needed.

Benefits

• Free family Y membership and discounts to Y programs and classes.
• Paid holidays.
• Vacation and sick time.
• Paid life insurance.
• Group health, vision, and dental insurance, with an employee contribution required.
• Retirement plan contributions after sufficient time worked.

What This Job Offers

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