Cook

Cook

Desert Vista Early Learning Center - Tucson, AZ 85709

Salary Range $15.45 - $15.45 Hourly Level Entry Position Type 40 hours/week - year round Job Shift Day (M-F) Approx 7am - 3pm Education Level High School Diploma or GED Travel Percentage Negligible Category Restaurant - Food Service

Child-Parent Centers provides delicious and nutritious meals that our Cook prepares in our Head Start center kitchen, and we are looking for an experienced and passionate Cook to join our team. The ideal candidate for this position has previous experience preparing breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks using cyclical menus that support the growth and development of preschool aged children. The Cook enjoys the convenience of a semi-commercial kitchen environment, yet the feeling of home with "family style" meals served in the classrooms. The Cook is responsible for all aspects of food service at the center including food orders, food storage, sanitary practices, meal prep, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) compliance, dish washing, and kitchen clean up. This position requires effective communication and organizational skills, the ability to work in a time sensitive environment, and strong math skills to keep costs within acceptable standards. Reporting to the Site Supervisor, the Cook position is an entry-level position funded to work 8 hours per day Monday through Friday. If you have food service and/or food preparation experience and enjoy preparing healthy meals and introducing children to nutritional activities, please submit an application today!

Benefits:

• Paid Leave - 26 paid holidays, 5 days paid Annual Leave after one year and up to 13 days each year thereafter, 5 days paid Personal leave first year, 9 days each year thereafter, up to 5 days paid Sick leave per year.
• Insurance benefits - dental, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Savings Accounts, PPO medical (3 plans), Vision, and Supplemental Life coverage for self, spouse, and child ($25,000 basic life and Accidental death and disability provided by employer). Supplemental Insurances (Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident). Pet Insurance.
• Retirement Plan - Agency contribution after years of services and hours eligibility criteria are met. Employee 401k deferral once eligibility is met.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Possess a High School Diploma or GED
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Possess a valid Arizona driver's license and excellent driving record.
• Prior experience in one or more of the following food service activities: direct responsibility for preparing nutritious meals, scheduling meals, proper food handling and storage, food inventory, food ordering, and working with the Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Submit a current AZ Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card prior to start date.
• Able to pass a company paid physical exam prior to starting work.
• Able to pass a DES Centralized Background Check prior to starting work.

Competencies:

• Accountability and Dependability
• Accuracy
• Valuing Diversity
• Safety Focus
• Teamwork
• Self-Management
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Technology

Other Requirements (post hire):

• Must be able to travel to and from various sites as needed.
• Provide proof of immunizations: MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Tdap (adult Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), and a clear Tuberculosis self assessment.
• Must be able to prove the right to work in the USA by providing appropriate documents to complete the Federal I-9 form.
• Must possess or have the ability to possess and keep current certification in First Aid Training/CPR training including Infants and Children.
• Must be able to obtain the State of Arizona Food Safety Manager Certification and Food Handlers Class within one month of employment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand Spanish.
• Three (3) years' experience working with the Child and Adult Care Food Program or School Lunch Program.
• Three (3) years' experience working with Head Start.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Office 365 (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Work Environment:

• Indoor environment
• Exposure to heat exceeding 85 degrees
• Exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals
• Exposure to sharp knives and slicers.
• Exposure to very hot foods, equipment and metal objects used in cooking and baking

Physical Requirements:

Frequently

• Stooping, bending, crouching, kneeling
• Reaching, pulling, pushing
• Climbing up step stool
• Carrying/lifting heavy objects 0-25lbs
• Operating appliances and small kitchen equipment
• Requires using sharp knives and slicers

Occasionally

• Picking up and dropping off supplies
• Push, pull, move furniture or equipment {20 to 50lb}
• Clerical duties (computer, typing, copying, etc.)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Job Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks using cycle menus that comply with Child and Adult Care Food Program and Head Start guidelines. Ensure specific nutritional needs of children are met and keep costs within budgetary limitations.
• Post menus and advise center staff of proposed changes.
• Plan meals, calculate food requirements, and order food from vendor using centralized ordering system. Limit local shopping for approved items and errands to center workday and/or before or after preparation and clean-up times.
• Prepare quantity of food to meet CACFP and Head Start Standards.
• Maintain entire kitchen to meet sanitation requirements; clean dishes, stove, carts and works surfaces after mealtimes. Make efficient use of available space and utensils. Keep surfaces grease and clutter free.
• Demonstrate sanitary practices in relation to preparation of food and personal hygiene.
• Supply the food related to cycle menu for nutritional experiences in the classroom; participate, upon request of education staff, in learning experiences for children related to nutrition.
• Provide nutrition information and/or nutrition experiences for parents whenever necessary; prepare nutritional snacks for parent activities.
• Prepare, deliver and pick up food carts (as required by center needs).
• Use the proper method in storage of food.
• Use the proper method for food handling (Including potentially hazardous foods), labeling and dating of all food.
• Purchase (when required) and prepare meals to meet the needs of children requiring special diets.

Supervision:

• Identify self-growth, development goals, and strategies for achievement with support and input from supervisor.
• Commit and participate in consistent and planned meetings with supervisor to further professional growth by seeking feedback, reflecting on and assessing own practice, and taking advantage of opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.

Recordkeeping, Monitoring and Reporting:

• Maintain Daily Inventory of food and food service supplies.
• Complete/submit kitchen/disposable supplies order forms used in food services to Procurement.
• Maintain inventory of kitchen appliances and equipment.
• Maintain daily record of number of meals served, the Child and Adult Care Food Program menu production worksheets, cycle menus and recipes.
• Submit monthly Child and Adult Care Food Program reports to Food Services.
• Receive food orders, sign bills and submits paperwork and bills to Accounting on the established schedule.

Leadership, Management and Teamwork:

• Actively participate on the center team and contribute to the decision-making process for compliance, strategic initiatives, professional development, budget, governance, and agency self-assessment
• Lead and implement the food services program at the center and coordinate with other staff that includes substitutes and volunteers.
• Participate in developing