Head Start Cook

Head Start Cook

Maintains food service sanitation standards

Assemble food, dishes, utensils, and supplies needed for timely meal preparation

Prepare high-quality nutritional food, in quantity sufficient for center needs

Prepare menus and follow standardized recipes

Adhere to sanitation and safety procedures

Ensure that food temperatures met USDA guidelines and that the kitchen areas are sanitary so that health standards are maintained

Wash dishes, pots, pans, and utensils using approved sanitation methods

Return all items to their proper storage site

Complete routine maintenance of kitchen and equipment, including weekly deep cleaning

Order or shop for food and maintain inventory

Ensure that all special dietary needs of children are met

Prepare all meals (breakfast, lunch, and snacks)

Coordinate menu planning with daily classroom schedule and special activities

Prepare all paperwork for USDA and program guidelines

Ensure Texas Department of Family and Protective Services regulations are followed to maintain license

Ensure Attendance (form H1535) and Daily Meal Production (form H1530) is done weekly

Ensure that Claim for reimbursement, (form H4502) and Claim for Reimbursement worksheet (H4502) are done on a monthly basis and submitted on last day of month

Submit Time Distribution Report on the last day of each month

Ensure that Enrolled, New Enrolled, Drop List (Blue Form) are done monthly and submitted to Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Clerk by the last day of each month

Maintain Eligibility for CACFP Food Program (form B)

Maintain CACFP application and other documentation on file

Responsible for reporting to their immediate supervisor or designee if they witness or see anything present or anyone not following SPCAA procedures or processes that place a person or program records at risk

Promote Parent Engagement Activities

Capture, value, and appropriately document In-Kind, non-federal share

Assist in classroom as needed

Assist in parent meetings, orientations, and special functions

The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job. Employees may perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

High School diploma or GED required

Certified Food Manager Certification required (Cooks not certified will be scheduled for training within one month of hire).

Be at least 18 years old

Strong knowledge of large-scale food production, typically from one-year relevant experience or education

Working knowledge of sanitation and safety procedures prescribed for large scale kitchen production

Basic computer skills desired

Available for a light amount of night and weekend work.

Must possess ability to provide reliable self-transportation capable of regional travel. Must possess and maintain valid Texas motor vehicle operator's permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required. Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law. MVR background checks may be conducted by the agency.

Physical demands

Able to maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting or standing for extended periods of time, drive or ride in sedan, bus or van, and interacting with children at the child's eye level (which includes floor activities) or other duties assigned.

High level of daily repetitive motion with hands and arms in food preparation and delivery activities

Continuous standing and walking for most of an 8-hour workday

Frequent daily bending and lifting of bulk foods, equipment, or other items. On occasion, employee must lift and/or remove up to 25 lbs

Occasional pushing or pulling of weight over 25 lbs

Regular bending, squatting, or crouching

Regular reaching occurs to retrieve utensils and food items or other items

The usual requirements in a classroom environment may require lifting boxes of supplies, equipment, and occasional adjustments of office furniture

Regularly required to sit for extended periods of time

Job location Plainview, Texas 79072