Kitchen Manager/Custodian

Early Head Start Program Support

Nourish Young Minds. Support Healthy Growth. Make a Daily Impact.

Douglass Community Services, Inc. is seeking a dependable and mission-driven team member to support our Early Head Start program through nutritious meal preparation, facility cleanliness, and a strong commitment to child safety and well-being.

In this role, you will help ensure children receive healthy, well-balanced meals in a clean and safe environment that supports learning, growth, and positive daily experiences. Your work will directly support the health, development, and success of children, families, and staff.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Competitive Pay
  • $15.61/hour starting wage (non-exempt)
• Outstanding Work-Life Balance
  • Full-time schedule: 40 hours per week, 49 weeks per year
  • No overtime or weekends required
• Exceptional Benefits
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance + FREE life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual
  • 14 paid holidays and 2-week paid winter/holiday break
  • Paid inclement weather days
  • Tuition assistance and ongoing professional development opportunities
  • Career advancement opportunities

What You'll Do

• Ensures a safe, sanitary, and compliant environment for food service and facility operations in accordance with USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program, Missouri licensing, and sanitation standards
• Plans, prepares, purchases, and serves food items while performing routine and deep cleaning to support overall facility health and safety
• Maintains cleanliness and safety of the entire facility, including kitchen, classrooms, common areas, playgrounds, and center vehicles, and coordinates routine maintenance as needed
• Complete and maintain required documentation including production records, sanitation logs, inventory tracking, and supply requests
• Support kitchen and center operations as needed, coordinating maintenance needs, and communicating with supervisors
• Foster positive relationships with families and staff while promoting healthy nutrition habits, maintaining confidentiality, and completing required training and mandated reporting responsibilities

What We're Looking For

• High school diploma or GED; 1 year of food service experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of nutrition, food safety, sanitation procedures, and compliance with USDA/Health Department/Head Start standards
• Ability to plan, organize, and complete work with attention to detail, basic math skills, and computer proficiency (data entry and word processing)
• Basic math skills, computer proficiency (word processing and data entry), and strong attention to detail required
• ServSafe Certification required within 3 months of hire; CPR/First Aid certification required or obtainable; valid driver's license required.
• Professional, dependable team player with the ability to maintain confidentiality, use sound judgment, and demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and patience

Safety & Physical Requirements

This position requires attention to safety at all times and compliance with all program safety policies.

The role may require:

• Lifting up to 40 lbs
• Requires frequent movement including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crawling, and climbing
• Prolonged time on your feet and kitchen activity
• Occasional driving and visual concentration
• Working in a busy early childhood center environment

The above description is not a comprehensive listing of all job specific responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

Douglass Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and Drug-Free Workplace.