Head Start - Food Service Worker (Oak Harbor)

Food Service Worker

Head Start is a federal program that has been serving vulnerable children and families for more than half a century. We serve people experiencing homelessness, poverty, involvement in the foster system or child protective system, or any other family stressors that qualifying families may be experiencing. Head Start classrooms do not expel or exclude children due to behavioral issues or disabilities and special needs of any kind. We recognize instead that individualizing for the specific needs of every child in a nurturing and supportive environment is how we best help all children reach kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Center staff will have a responsibility to support the needs of all children in their classrooms. The Opportunity: Skagit Valley College exists to expand opportunities and horizons for students and to strengthen the communities in which they live by welcoming and valuing diverse learners, providing quality education and support, and contributing leadership and service. In alignment with this mission, Skagit/Island Head Start builds strong foundations for lifelong learning through family-centered, child-focused partnerships that support children and families, including those experiencing homelessness, poverty, foster care or child protective system involvement, and other life stressors.

Head Start is a federal program that has served vulnerable children and families for more than half a century and is committed to providing inclusive, nurturing environments where children are not expelled or excluded due to behavioral concerns, disabilities, or special needs. Instead, individualized support ensures that all children are prepared to enter kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Center staff play a key role in supporting the needs of all children and families while collaborating with community partners to help build stronger communities.

The Food Service Worker helps to maintain accurate records in compliance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements, in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, including menus, recipes, production records, and receipts. The position supports the Cook II in ensuring well-balanced, nutritious meals are prepared and served three times daily (breakfast, lunch, and snack), meeting CACFP component requirements and Head Start guidelines for sugar, fat, and sodium.

Food Service Worker collaborates with Cook II, management, and lead teachers to support nutrition-related classroom activities and promote healthy eating habits for children. The position also provides support with kitchen cleaning, cleaning of classroom materials, and laundry, as needed.

The Food Service Worker works under direct supervision and reports to the Center Manager. This position will be assigned to an initial primary center location within the specified area, and may be moved on a temporary basis, or reassigned to a primary location within that same specified area if required to support program operations and effective centers. Travel to other locations will be required for some pre-scheduled meetings and trainings. This position works onsite, and the primary location is Oak Harbor Early Learning, located at 1080 NE 7th Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 This position works 10.75 months per year and 38 hours per week. This position is grant-funded. The extension of the position is dependent on the continuation of funding.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People's, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Mission : Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities. Vision : The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

Guiding Principles : Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration, and Compassion.

About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor's degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC's Vision statement; "Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities." SVC's commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all. SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity-minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply. Skagit Valley College offers:

• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Prepares food for breakfast, lunch, and snack Under the direction of the Cook II, the Food Service Worker will:

• Assist with implementing menus that meet menu requirements based on staffing levels and the number and ages of children present, in compliance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements;
• Assist with recipe and menu adjustments;
• Prepare ingredients and support scratch-based food production following established recipes and USDA/CACFP requirements;
• Assist with purchasing, receiving, and storing food and supplies that meet Head Start Performance Standards, USDA/CACFP requirements, and Department of Children, Youth, and Families licensing requirements, as applicable;
• Transport and deliver meals and food items to Early Head Start sites as assigned;
• Food preparation duties: Washes, portions, prepares, cooks, bakes, and steams food items as assigned. Prepares fruits, vegetables, snacks, and other food items according to established menus and recipes;
• Assists with meal portioning and service.

Complete and ensure compliance according to the health department, USDA/CACFP requirements

• Assists the Cook II with maintaining required food service records, documentation, and binders in compliance with health department and USDA/CACFP requirements;
• Follow appropriate food handling practices, using disposable gloves, keeping food at proper temperature, and recording food temperatures in compliance with the local health department;
• Understands and complies with Health Department and USDA/CACFP requirements;
• Supports classroom staff in ensuring appropriate serving sizes are offered, including identifying correct serving utensils;
• Inventories and maintains necessary kitchen supplies.

Center Support

• Cleans up after meals, utilizing proper dishwashing methods to assure sanitation of dishes and food service equipment. Sanitizes tables and areas where children eat, the food preparation area, and any food transportation equipment used. Disposes of food waste using an appropriate container;
• Performs periodic cleaning of cupboards, high and low dusting, cleaning inside windows, and other general center cleaning tasks assigned;
• May wash, dry, fold, and put away laundered items;
• May assist staff with clean-up activities from the classroom;
• May assist in children's self-help skills;
• May assist children in modeling family-style eating routines;
• May assist in the supervision of children upon arrival/departure, on the playground, and in the classroom and/or bathrooms;
• Complete ongoing job-related program and personal documentation in an accurate and timely manner, including ctcLink time reporting and program surveys.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: