Senior Center Cook

Cook

The Cook is an employee of the City of Kenai, working under the direction of the Senior Center Director. The Cook plans meals that meet the nutritional needs of a senior population and that are served in a large public dining room. The Cook also prepares food for home delivery. The work requires knowledge of the management and maintenance of a commercial kitchen using both paid staff and volunteers to complete the work. This position requires daily contact with senior citizens and the general public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Prepare and oversee the preparation of food for service in public dining room to serve a largely senior population; prepare food for packaging to be delivered to home-bound seniors; serve and hold food at proper temperature for safe service; present food in an attractive and appetizing manner; cook food from scratch, including baked goods.

Prepare congregate and home meals each day in accordance with federal and state guidelines and within budget provided.

Prepare food by peeling, chopping, grinding, paring, cutting, slicing, dicing, pureeing, dredging, flouring, or breading; weigh, measure, and assemble ingredients for regular and modified menu items; mix ingredients according to written recipes; cover, date, and store food according to established procedures.

Use food preparation tools and maintain equipment such as, commercial grill, oven and deep fat fryer, commercial steamers, and steam line.

Work with Director to establish menus that meet state and federal guidelines and/or grant requirements; prepare monthly and weekly shopping lists; un-pack and store grocery and paper products; keep inventory of food and paper products.

Lead and train kitchen staff and kitchen volunteers; lead and assist the Kitchen Assistant with general clean-up activities, both in the kitchen and in the general dining area.

Clean pots/pans, kitchen sink, stove, grill, and deep fryer; maintain kitchen in clean and safe condition and in compliance with state laws and regulations.

Keep an accurate inventory of kitchen equipment and home-meal delivery items.

Keep daily records of meals served, meals delivered, and meals picked up for home consumption, including special home meal menus for home-bound clients.

Maintain strict confidentiality of communications and information and comply with privacy laws and regulations.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, clients, vendors, and the general public.

Attend Department training and other continuing education programs.

Have regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work.

Perform tasks with minimal or no supervision and complete projects independently within established time frames and with constant interruptions.

Assist with fundraising activities with non-profit groups such as the Kenai Senior Connection, Inc. for programs related to senior citizens, participate in devising menu and food costs and providing price per meal for special events.

Perform other related work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Three (3) years' experience working in food service institutions as a cook or any combination of training and experience that provide the applicant with the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential job functions.

Possess or obtain a food handler's card issued within thirty (30) days of employment to meet State of Alaska food safety requirements.

Possess or obtain a certified food protection manager certificate within thirty (30) days of employment to meet State of Alaska food safety requirements.

Possess or obtain a valid CPR/First Aid certificate issued by the American Heart Association (or other approved entity) within thirty (30) days of employment

The applicant (or employee after hire) must pass a background investigation, including but not limited to a criminal background check to meet requirements of federal or state agencies to work with vulnerable populations such as senior citizens

Supplemental Information

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Two (2) year culinary arts degree.

Work experience related to senior nutrition.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT The work environment is typically in a commercial kitchen and in a community room setting, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. The employee is frequently exposed to extreme heat and cold (non-weather) as well as to moving mechanical parts and electrical energy. The employee may have to work on uneven and occasionally wet and slippery surfaces and is exposed to raw vegetable and animal products and water. The employee may be exposed to dust and other irritants and toxic/poisonous substances. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures. The employee works mostly during the daytime but occasionally is required to work at night and during the weekends.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The employee is responsible for the proper use and cleaning of kitchen equipment, safety practices, personal hygiene, and conformance with food service sanitation requirements. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously to operate commercial kitchen equipment and small hand-tools typical in a commercial kitchen; use cleaning supplies and tools; communicate orally in person and on the telephone; stand for extended periods of time, often for an entire shift; and, frequently to walk, stoop, reach, push, pull, bend, and crouch. The employee must regularly exert at least 35 pounds of force and occasionally exert up to 50 pounds of force. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to hear and to talk and communicate verbally. The employee must be able to taste and smell.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.

Benefits

The following information describes benefits available to City of Kenai employees working 25 hours or more per week. Actual benefits received may differ by position type or be prorated for other than full time work. All benefits are subject to change by the City.

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit or defined contribution plan based upon employee eligibility upon hire*
• Supplemental Retirement Program six months after date of hire. Employer contribution of 6.2% of the first $37,500.00 of base wages earned in a calendar year
• Option to enroll in a Deferred Compensation Program

Insurance Benefits

• PPO or QHDHP Plan options available
• Health Insurance Coverage 30 days after date of hire
• Employee and Dependent Coverage Available
• Employer Contribution of 87% Medical/Vision/Dental Plan Costs
• Employee Contribution of 13% Medical/Vision/Dental Plan Costs
• Employer HRA Contribution for medical deductible and prescription co-pay
• Employer HSA Contribution for employees on the QHDHP

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance with supplemental coverage available for employee and dependents
• Employee-funded Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
• Employee Paid Group-Based Supplemental Insurance

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Annual Leave Accrual Rate starting at 7.3846 hours each pay period (10.3385 for certain Fire Department employees) with an accrual rate increase based on longevity
• Eleven and a half paid holidays each year
• Paid Leave for a Death in the Immediate Family upon approval
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness Program includes free use of the Kenai Recreation Center
• Bona Fide Employer-Sponsored Medical Leave Sharing Arrangement