Residential Campus Cook
About The Position
If you’ve ever worked in a school kitchen, daycare, or caregiving role, you know how much comfort a warm meal can bring. At KVC Missouri’s Niles Residential Campus, our cooks are more than food preparers — they are part of the healing process for children and teens in our care. This is a vital position — truly the heart of the house. You’ll create nourishing meals in a calm, family-style environment where every dish helps children feel safe, valued, and cared for. We’re looking for someone who brings creativity, compassion, and reliability — someone who can follow nutritional guidelines but also add their personal touch with baking, menu ideas, and thoughtful presentation. Why You’ll Love This Role Purpose with heart: Every meal you prepare contributes to the emotional healing and stability of our kids. A creative kitchen: Enjoy the freedom to be inventive with menus, bake special treats, and bring warmth to mealtimes while following our standards. Flexible schedule, dependable care: We offer flexibility with scheduling and hours — but our kids count on you. Reliability and consistency are essential to building their sense of trust and comfort. Opportunities to grow: We’ll support your professional development, whether you want to build culinary skills, take on leadership, or explore new roles within KVC. Caring community: Join a team that values compassion, teamwork, and making a difference every day.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain)
- 1+ year of kitchen or food service experience (school or residential preferred)
- Experience working with children or youth (strongly preferred)
- Dependable, caring, and creative personality who takes pride in their work
Responsibilities
- Prepare nutritious meals following recipes, DESE nutrition standards, and ServSafe guidelines
- Plan menus, prep meals, and bake with creativity
- Maintain a clean, organized kitchen and follow food safety protocols
- Manage inventory and assist with special events
- Interact with children and staff, helping make mealtimes a comforting and positive part of each day
Benefits
- Paid Time Off + Holiday Pay
- Paid Parental Leave
- Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
- 403(b) with Company Match
- Tuition Reimbursement (up to $21,000)
- Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs
- Career Growth & Skill Development Opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
