Cook

Job Description

Job Description

Job Goal: 

To prepare attractive USDA CNP approved meals for 20‐40 children and staff while keeping the kitchen and classroom areas clean and sanitary according to Health Department ordinances; to maintain adequate food stocks, kitchen supplies, and nutrition records; to provide accurate accounting of monthly expenditures, aligned with USDA CNP regulations and UMHS policies. 

Essential Responsibilities: 

• Prepare creditable meals for children, volunteers, and staff using UMHS menu, menu planning sheets, standardized recipes and approved agency recipes
• Maintain nutrition records as required, including monthly receipts for USDA reimbursement
• Purchase food and supplies according to planned menu and seasonal availability
• Must be able to drive an agency vehicle in order to complete shopping as needed for the center and kitchen
• Store food and supplies properly
• Ensure that food allergies and substitutions are documented on appropriate protocol forms; on file in the kitchen and documented on working menus.
• Ensure new classroom staff receive meal service training
• Assist in planning and preparation of classroom Nutrition Activities
• Maintain safety of the environment for staff and children
• Utilize the Children’s Nutrition Manager, Assistant, HS/EHS System Director and Fiscal Director as resources to meet USDA and Head Start requirements
• Clean and sanitize dishes, tableware, pot, pans, etc. in a timely manner
• Maintain cleanliness of kitchen at all times
• Ensure disposal of garbage each school day
• Perform minor maintenance duties as needed (change light bulbs, minor pest control, assist in maintaining exterior of building by picking up garbage, removing cobwebs, etc.)
• Perform minor janitorial duties as needed

General Staff Responsibilities: 

• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned  
• Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plan and objectives of Agency  
• Maintain congenial and respectful relations with staff, children, families and community  
• Keep current and accurate records and file reports on time  
• Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information 
• Maintain objectives and professional standards  
• Improve self‐skills and education  
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy  
• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services 
• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner  
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties  
• And or any other duties deemed necessary by your supervisor 

Education Requirements: 

• High School diploma or equivalent

Experience and Skills Requirements: 

• Current Food Handler’s card
• Experience in purchasing and preparing culturally diverse foods for groups
• Ability to understand and use basic math
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, and ease in adaptation to new technology
• Knowledge of early childhood nutrition
• Skills in working with children
• Ability to keep accurate records
• Previous custodial experience

*Salary is commensurate with education and experience.  

Physical Requirements: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: 

• Observe, compare, and monitor behaviors, records and data to determine compliance with prescribed standards
• Comprehend, analyze, and make inferences and references from written material
• Ability to drive a private or agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver’s license and personal automobile insurance or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements
• Frequently perform repetitive motion with hands and arms in food preparation, serving and cleaning activities.
• Continuously stand and walk for most of an 8‐hour workday.
• Frequently lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects weighting up to 50 lbs.
• Frequently bend, kneel, reach, and regularly crouch.
• Maintain the safety of the environment through visual, auditory and smelling senses
• Make skillful, controlled manipulations of small objects
• Maintain the safety of the environment and children through visual, auditory and smelling
• Perform regular sanitation of kitchen, classroom and equipment, which may require the use of broom, carpet sweeper, mop and chemicals.
• Perform physical inventory of equipment and/or supplies

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Work Environment/Conditions:  

• Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions
• Requires exposure to cleaning fluids and sanitizing agents.
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people

Safety: 

Apply safe practices in the performance of duties 

• Reporting of unsafe or hazardous working conditions and/or any injury immediately
• Complying with Agency safety standards
• Participate in emergency drills
• Promote a culture of safe environments in the workplace

Agency‐Wide Requirements: 

• Current enrollment in the Child Care Division’s Central Background Registry
• Current physical examination, drug screen, and TB screen documentation prior to hire
• Ability to drive a private or Agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver's license and personal automobile or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements. A DMV Record check will be conducted prior to hire.
• Desire to work with low‐income children and their families
• Communicate effectively with staff, families, children, and the public using the telephone and in face‐to‐face, one‐to‐one, and in group settings
• Fluent in English both verbally and written

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.  

Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals in all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, career advancement opportunities, working conditions, scheduling, disciplinary action, termination of employment, compensation, and access to benefits and training. We recruit, hire, and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.