Job description

Prep Cook
Early Learning Center

Date: 05/04/2017

Reports to: Principal/ Nutrition Coordinator Department: Early Childhood Services

Classification: Full-time Status: Non-exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:
Responsible for guaranteeing children are served nutritious, tasteful, appealing meals and snacks according to
CACFP guidelines. Assist Lead Cook in preparing breakfast, lunch, and/or snack for enrolled children, staff, and visitors. Responsible to supervise kitchen staff, meal preparation and services in absence of Lead Cook..
Maintain food at appropriate temperature, have knowledge of the Department of Health rules and regulation and
Head Start Performance Standards. Gain knowledge of proper food preparation, temperature control, sanitation, and portion sizes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists Lead Cook in preparing well-balanced, nutritious, appetizing meals daily by accurately following menus and recipes provided by the Nutrition Coordinator, ensuring that meals are prepared on time and correct portions are served at the appropriate temperature.
• Assists Lead Cook in preparing meals by chopping vegetables, making side dishes, cutting fruit, and putting together entrees.
• Prepares an appropriate amount of food utilizing standards set by CACFP.
• Purchases supplies and equipment needed for daily cooking activities as directed by Lead Cook.
• With the guidance of the Nutrition Coordinator and Lead Cook, modifies menus and recipes and prepares foods to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and the medical and feeding needs of children with disabilities or food allergies.
• Works with Teachers and Lead Cook to plan and prepare learning experiences weekly which focus upon good nutrition for children. These food experiences are to be developmentally appropriate, varied in content, and designed to promote self-help, fine motor, social, and cognitive skills.
• Requisition and shop for food ingredients and supplies as required for weekly operations.
• Responsible for receiving and storing food and supplies in accordance with all food safety and sanitation guidelines and regulations.
• Review menus to determine food requirements including variety and quantity of food for preparation.
• Prepare a wide variety of foods in accordance with provided recipes following the established monthly menus provided by Nutrition Coordinator.
• Food temperatures must be taken at appropriate times and recorded as required.
• Requisition for supplies as needed.
• Observes good sanitation practices in all aspects of food preparation, food service, and clean-up.
• Complete all paperwork and records as required.
• Prepare foods for special events as needed.
• Supervises kitchen staff on daily function of food service program in absence of Lead Cook.
• Educate customers on nutritional values and food groups as requested.
• Report any malfunctioning kitchen appliance to Lead Cook or Site Manager/Site Director.
• Follow current CACFP guidelines and expectations.
• Comply with Head Start Performance Standards, and Program Policies.
• Document daily in the menu book the quantity of food, portions prepared, and portions served to adults and children.
• Utilize Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies to prevent and defuse disruptive behavior.
• Respect and support cultural differences and diverse family structures.

• Demonstrate good work habits such as arriving on time and adhering to appropriate break times.
• Attend mandatory In-Service trainings and staff meetings.
• Responsibility to report any suspected abuse or neglect to appropriate authority.
• Advocate for SEK-CAP, Inc. in the community.
• Maintain and assure confidentiality and privacy of SEK-CAP customers.
• Uphold and promote the core values and mission statement of SEK-CAP.
• Support management decisions both in actions and words.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Essential:

• Ability to get along with diverse personalities; tactful, mature, and flexible.
• Ability to meet and deal tactfully with the general public and to communicate effectively and clearly both orally and in writing.
• Resourceful and well organized.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with co-workers, community partners, and customers.
• Ability to learn and adapt to change.

Desired:

• Previous cooking experience for groups of 20 or more.
• Ability to calculate to determine number of meals to be served, to adjust recipes and serving portions.
• Efficient knife skills.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 30 days.
• Successfully complete a physical exam and TB skin test before beginning employment and every three years thereafter, with the exception of a diagnosed medical condition requiring annual exams.
• Submit to and pass standard criminal history check.
• Submit to and pass standard drug screen test.
• Possess current, valid driver’s license and be insurable by the organization’s motor vehicle insurance carrier.
• Must possess basic math skills in order to compute accurate CACFP records.
• Must possess time management skills to prepare and serve food in accordance with schedule.
• Successfully complete a physical exam, TB skin test, and be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before beginning employment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Stand for extended periods of time, walk and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Required vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions.
• Outside weather conditions.
• Extreme cold and extreme heat.
• Noise level is usually quiet to moderate.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical

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

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $12.25 - $13.75 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• 8 hour shift

Weekly day range:

• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
COVID Vaccine Encouraged - Not Required

Work Location: One location

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