Assistant Cook

Assistant CookThe Assistant Cook/Food Transporter will assist in ordering, preparing, serving and documenting meals and snacks for children served in the Head Start and/or Early Head Start program, following menus and all phases of kitchen operations including inventory control.You will contribute to smooth flow of operations in the assigned kitchen, and to the functioning of the kitchen in adherence to health and food safety codes and the strict cleanliness of the kitchen and food service and storage areas, preparing foods for infants and toddlers and/or preschool children following the USDA/CACFP and Head Start standards. This position may involve reassignment to various kitchens/centers as deemed necessary for program operations. You will assist in ordering, preparing, serving and documenting meals and snacks, and will be responsible for safely transporting meals to program satellite sites. This position may involve reassignment to various kitchens/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.As a front-line representative of Save the Children, you are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that he/she encounters and represents the agency values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.The Assistant Cook will:Prepares food to meet the needs of children with special needs, restricted diets, medical issues or disabilities; ensures that specifications are met in accordance to Save the Children policies, State Regulations, OHS and CACFP/USDAPrepares and serves food and assists in any food related activities as directed and menus as approved by registered dietician/nutritionist.Prepares and serves all meals as planned, paying attention to food presentation and freshnessAssists Head Cook with overseeing full kitchen operations and may supervise volunteer assistants (depending on size of workload)Assists with maintenance of inventory for food service operationsAssists with the processing and storage of food and food related items as they are deliveredAssists with ensuring that standardized recipes are followed and appropriate quantities of food and serving proportions are prepared and served in accordance with the CACFP meal requirementsAssists with ensuring production books for CACFP and documents are completed accurately dailyAttends child nutrition meetings and required program meetings.Receives, inspects and verifies delivery of food, food related items and all kitchen/food inventory in absence of Head cook.Implements a cost-effective food service program, according to federal, state and local regulations that is a financially successful operation by helping to control food and labor costsPerforms any other relevant duties as assigned by managerDelivers meals to satellite Head Start Program sitesKeeps in close contact with the site office while in the fieldConducts pre- and post- inspections of vehicle dailyEnsures health and safety standards are followed at all times of deliveries (to and from vehicle and to and from classrooms), by maintaining and monitoring the food temperatures before and after deliveriesReports all accidents or incidents to the supervisor immediatelyProvides a clean and safe environment inside and outside of the transporter vehicleMaintains and follows delivery schedule as set by program managementAssists with maintenance of inventory for food service operationsAssists with the processing and storage of food and food-related items as they are deliveredHelps prepare food to meet the needs of children with special needs, restricted diets, medical issues or disabilities; ensures that specifications are met in accordance to Save the Children policies as well as state and federal regulationsHelps serve all meals as planned, paying attention to food presentation and freshnessAssists with overseeing full kitchen operationsAttends child nutrition meetings and required program meetings.Receives, inspects and verifies delivery of food, food related items and all kitchen/food inventory in absence of Head CookImplements a cost-effective food service program, according to federal, state and local regulations that is a financially successful operation by helping to control food and labor costsPerforms any other relevant duties as assigned by managerRequired Qualifications:High school diploma or equivalent, plus at least two (2) years of related experienceDemonstrated experience working in a food service environmentProven teamwork and successful customer service orientationProfessional proficiency in spoken and written EnglishDemonstrated organizational skills, self-management of time and overall cleanlinessDemonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels, both internal and externalDemonstrated ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructionsMust have a valid driver's licenseMust be at least 21 years of agePreferred Qualifications:Proven relevant knowledge of basic food preparation and kitchen operations, including food safety requirements is a plusGeneral bookkeeping skills are a plusPrevious experience having met Health Department Regulations, USDA and Head Start Standards is preferredPrevious experience working with CACFP is preferredCertification in SERV Safe is preferredAdditional Qualifications:Physical Requirements related to essential functions: Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding, and computer use.Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.This position will require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver's license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.Compensation:The base pay for this position starts at $15/hour. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, experience, credentials, base salary of internal peers and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.About Us:We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:Paid time off: 10 days winter break and 5 days spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family. Employers paid short term disability and long-term disability benefits.Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled into a High-Deductible Health Plan in which the company matches a portion of its contribution.Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll in health care and dependent care options.Life: Agency paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits (AD&D).Family: Parental/adoption, fertility benefitsEmployee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employeesRetirement: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)Wellness: Health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted eventsEmployee Assistance Program: Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up servicesLearning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships. Certification and tuition assistance.Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs