Preschool Head Cook

Position is full-time for 170 days; a typical work week is Monday – Friday with an expectation
of no more than 40 hours per week. For weeks with less than five working days, daily hours only
apply. Requires use of own vehicle to conduct business.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provides supervision and oversight of meal services for Early Learning Essentials Head Start children,
classroom staff, and volunteers at the Orem/Aspen site following the requirements specified in the
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Head Start Performance standards, ELE policies
and Procedures and local Health Department regulations. Cook is responsible for
transporting meals to the Aspen center in a work vehicle. Supports the agency's school
readiness plan by promoting the health and nutrition needs of the children and by attending to
their safety and welfare. Ensures the compliance of all CACFP and Health Department
regulatory standards in the preparation, storage, and clean up of meals provided to/by Early
Learning Essentials. This position is not eligible for telecommuting as it is front-line work in nature working face-to-face with children and families.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Uses cycle menus for breakfast, lunches and snacks. Ensures that menus served are in
   compliance with CACFP and Head Start guidelines, ensuring specific nutritional needs of
   children are met and that costs are kept within budgetary limitations.
   • Completes planned Meal Production sheets and compiles shopping list.
   • Shops for lunch and snack foods, supplies and nutrition experiences on a weekly basis
     and/or receives food deliveries.
   • Limits shopping for the purchase of foods necessary to prepare planned meals and
     cooking experiences to Friday's and/or before or after preparation and clean-up times.
   • Prepares quantity of food to meet CACFP and Head Start standards.
   • Prepare special meals following special meal plans for children that require
     modifications and/or substitutions.
   • Makes food substitutions when needed following the CACFP meal pattern.
   • Prepares meals according to the center schedule that has been determined by the
     Teacher.
2. Assist the teacher in implementing a daily nutrition program to meet Head Start goals:
   • Posts menus and advises staff of proposed changes.
   • Ensures meals are prepared and placed in appropriate serving containers to facilitate
     serving meals family-style.
   • Assists in classroom snack and lunch procedures according to the predetermined class schedule and as needed.
   • Supplies food related to cooking experiences in the classroom; participates upon request of teaching staff, in learning experiences for children related to nutrition
   • Occasionally eat meals with the children, assuring eating times are a positive learning and social experience for the children and food is never used as a punishment or a reward.
   • Prepares and packs meals for curriculum extender trips as necessary.
   • Recruits and trains parent volunteers and substitutes for kitchen duties.
   • Encourage parent input in recipes and menus when they visit the classroom.
3. Paper work requirements:
   • Places food order with established vendor(s) weekly.
   • Maintains daily records of number of meals served to children and adults, the CACFP menu production worksheets both planned and actual, and cycle menus.
   • Maintains copies of special meals plans and documentation of food substitutions made.
   • Keep all records pertinent to the Child and Adult Care Food Program, signs bills and submits paperwork to the Nutrition Services Coordinator on the last day of the month.
4. Maintains entire kitchen to meet sanitation requirements:
   • Prepares and store foods in a sanitary manner to meet all health codes.
   • Washes and stores all dishes using proper sanitation procedures.
   • On a daily basis, cleans and sanitizes the kitchen, stoves, carts, and work surfaces to meet all requirements of the Health Code.
   • Once a week, cleans out refrigerator units.
5. Maintains current ServSafe certification.
   • Demonstrates sanitary practices in relation to preparation of food and personal
     hygiene.
6. Responds to and follows up on Health Department Inspections and internal kitchen site
   visits.
7. Demonstrates understanding of child abuse/neglect laws. Reports suspected child abuse
   to the Family & Community Services Director.
8. Collaborates with other service areas to ensure seamless services to children and families
   and ensures we are staying true to our mission and vision. Attends and participates in
   staff training sessions, as directed, i.e. pre-service, orientations, in-service training
   meetings and other agency activities as required.
9. Supports the achievement of in-kind goals by actively participating in the solicitation of in-kind services and donations to the Head Start program including, but not limited to, encouraging community members and organizational contacts to volunteer, providing donations of professional services, supplies, and anything else needed to support the Head Start program.
10. Expected to provide temporary assistance in the classrooms to meet minimum child to
    staff ratios, or to ensure the safety of children, in the absence of sufficient Education and
    Child Development Service Area staff. Staff from any service area working or present at
    a center when the need arises will be called upon first, with Administrative Office staff
    being utilized if insufficient staff is present on site.
11. Expected to assist the agency in maintaining safe and healthy environments for children
    and staff by immediately reporting health and safety risks/concerns or potential concerns
    to a leadership staff member and/or via our internal work order system and follow up
    with appropriate staff in a timely or appropriate manner.
12. Other job-related duties as assigned may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of
    this position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED
• Experience cooking in a food service establishment