Cook

Cook Position

Salary: $19/hour - $21.49/hour

Position Summary: The Cook is responsible for exposing the children to delicious and nutritious foods in order to encourage children to make life-long positive and healthy lifestyle choices. Cooks connect their work to the health of a child and their family, so that they can be successful in Kindergarten and in life. They support the center in meeting and exceeding Head Start Program Performance Standards and other relevant regulatory requirements, maintaining detailed records across relevant areas. The position reports directly to the Program Director, with support from the Children's Aid Food Service Manager.

Cook II (Full Prep) – works in an early childhood program that is based in Community Center. All three meals are prepared from scratch and all job responsibilities on this description should be followed.

Essential Duties:

Strategic Operations

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures

Food Preparation

• Prepare and serve all meals and snacks at the Early Childhood site
• Learn and follow the Children's Aid menus and recipes

Record Maintenance, Contract Compliance

• Place food requisitions on a weekly basis
• Receive food deliveries and signing off on invoices upon delivery
• Maintain an up-to-date inventory
• Submit daily written CACFP or Child and Adult Care Food Program food production records

Data Analysis

• Collect and analyze data related to food consumption, inventory levels, and meal participation to optimize food service operations.
• Utilize Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection reports to identify areas for improvement in custodial practices and implement corrective actions.

Quality Assurance

• Conduct regular quality checks to ensure food is prepared and served according to standards.
• Ensure that all meals meet nutritional guidelines and standards set by the organization and regulatory bodies.

Collaboration and Communication

• Coordinate with the Food Service Manager to align meal plans with educational themes or activities.
• Communicate effectively with the Program Director and staff, parents, and children about the menu, nutritional information, and any changes to meal service.

Family Engagement

• Participate in Healthy Cooking workshops for the families
• Welcome and include eligible parent volunteers in the kitchen
• Recruit new families for our program through tabling, advertising in the school community, and hosting recruitment events.

Professional Development

• Participate in offered trainings, workshops, In-Service days, and/or All-Staff conferences
• Maintain certification requirement and proof of attendance in professional activities
• Support the growth of the center including participating in program-wide goal setting and individual and program self-assessment
• Check their Children's Aid email on a regular basis
• Engage in self-assessment and reflection coaching experiences such as completing self-assessment surveys, video recording, coaching, and collaboration sessions.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to all state and city licensing requirements, teacher child/ratios, and CPR/first aid certification
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment (clean and organized kitchen and storage areas)
• In-person collaboration is an essential function of the job
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must hold a valid Department of Health Food Handler's License issued by New York State
• Education Credential i.e. IEP/ Local/ HS Diploma or equivalent preferred

Key Competencies:

• Must have Food Handler's License issued by New York State Department of Health
• Demonstrated ability to read and follow recipes, and to prepare foods from scratch
• Excellent cooking skills
• At least two years' experience managing a foodservice program and a kitchen, including ordering food
• Interest in and some knowledge of healthy eating
• Familiarity with CACFP nutrition guidelines is considered a plus
• Effective communication skills
• Resourceful & dependable
• At least 1-year experience working in a program serving infants and toddlers, and children with Special Needs
• Dedicated, excited and passionate about working with young children and families
• Must abide by privacy laws, including HIPAA, etc.