Cook - West End Wellness Center

Cook Food Preparation and Education Specialist

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Cook position.

The West End Wellness Center (WEWC) Cook works preparing meals for the West End Wellness Center psychosocial rehabilitation program. Work hours are typically Monday to Friday during business hours and will include some later evenings and weekends to meet program needs. The Cook is responsible for planning, shopping, preparing, and serving meals for approximately 15 to 60 individuals daily. The WEWC Cook will also be responsible for overall inventory control and maintenance of the kitchen, including all equipment in accordance with DCHS and the Health Department standards. The WEWC Cook partners with clinical staff to teach clients meal planning, food preparation, and kitchen management skills.

The ideal candidate should have some knowledge of acceptable food preparation methods; some knowledge of the principles of sanitation and safety in food service operations; ability to interpret and follow written and oral instructions; ability to lift and maneuver heavy objects, equipment and supplies.

The Opportunity

• Prepares meals for WEWC daily, approximately 15 - 50 individuals per day;
• Plans a schedule of healthy, well-balanced meals each month, in partnership with the WEWC Team Leader and a consulting nutritionist;
• Conducts all grocery shopping and manages the inventory food;
• Willingness to partner with clinical staff to engage program clients in learning and performing food preparation and kitchen maintenance;
• Cooks meals according to planned menus & recipes;
• Uses accepted methods of food preparation, equipment maintenance, sanitation and safety practices;
• Maintains food inventory in refrigerator, freezer, storage cabinets, and shelves in an orderly manner;
• Labels and discards foods after expiration date;
• Measures and serves portions for special diets and various cuisines
• Washes and sanitizes pots, pans and equipment;
• Cleans ovens, range, dish machine hoods, steam table, cold table, refrigerator, freezer, cabinets, shelves, counter tops, underneath counters, walls and floors;
• Performs inventory control and supply usage records;
• Coordinates with verifying deliveries and in properly storing food and supplies;
• Assists with preparation of food ordered on catering requests;
• Substitutes menu items with other food containing similar nutritional values;
• Cleans ovens, range and dish machine hoods, steam table, cold table, and refrigerator, freezer, cabinets, and shelves, counter tops, underneath counters, walls and floors;
• Attends staff meetings;
• Keeps department required trainings up to date.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Some experience in food preparation as a cook, and completion of high school-level courses in arithmetic and English; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Possession of a valid certificate in food service sanitation as required by the City of Alexandria, and successful completion of a City medical examination prior to the date of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

Five or more years' experience in institutional food services; High School Diploma or GED;; valid driver's license from the state of residence with good driving record; bilingual (English-Spanish) skills. Possession of Food Handlers Certification.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment checks to include: Criminal Record Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medical/Fitness for Duty/Drug Testing; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Driver's License from state of residence and education/certifications.

Schedule: Monday -Friday 8-4:30 with flexibility and some evenings/ weekends

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.