Center Aide/Cook Assistant

Job: Center Aide/Cook Assistant 

Are you ready to spice up your career? We're on the lookout for a dynamic individual to join our Centro de la Familia team. 

Overview: 

Join our team and embrace a versatile position working under the guidance of our Education Specialist and Food Service team. You'll find excitement in the diversity of tasks as a center aide/cook assistant that may lead you to multiple locations within our center. This role includes providing support in the classroom, ensuring a safe playground environment, and fostering the health, safety, and school readiness of our young learners. You will also have opportunities to contribute to transportation, family services, and developmental specialties. 

Additionally, as a cook assistant you will assist the Head Start Center's Food Services by supporting the Cook in ensuring compliance with Local, State, and Federal regulations related to food services. This role involves tasks such as ordering, preparing, serving, and documenting meals and snacks, following menus, and overseeing kitchen operations. The position contributes to the kitchen's smooth operation, adhering to health and food safety codes and maintaining cleanliness. 

Key Areas of Responsibility: 

Cook Assistant 

• Maintain compliance with state license standards, Childcare Licensing regulations, and local ordinances. 

• Assist in food preparation, serving, and related activities, including meeting the needs of children with special needs or disabilities. 

• Oversee full kitchen operations in the absence of the Cook.  

• Manage inventory for supplies, food, and equipment used in food services. 

• Process and store food and related items upon delivery. 

• Receive and account for food deliveries if necessary. 

• Ensure kitchen compliance with health and safety regulations. 

• Report malfunctioning kitchen equipment to the lead Cook for necessary maintenance, repair, or replacement. 

• Maintain documentation for food services according to USDA/CACFP and CDLF standards. 

• Facilitate family-style meal services for children and classroom staff. 

• Ensure proper storage of food and kitchen cleanup. 

• Notify the supervisor of safety or health concerns. 

• Participate in ongoing training in food preparation and nutrition. 

• Perform other assigned duties.  

Center Aide 

• Compliance Champion: Adherence to all supervision, safety, and health policies and procedures is paramount. 

• Watchful Guardian: Actively supervise and engage with children, ensuring their safety and well-being, and working closely with teachers. 

• Nurturer of Growth: Foster a supportive environment where children can develop and practice appropriate behaviors individually and in groups. 

• Development Dynamo: Promote children's physical, social/emotional, cognitive, and language development through culturally and developmentally appropriate curriculum. 

• Positivity Ambassador: Create a classroom environment defined by positive, warm, caring, and respectful interactions with children. 

• Child Advocate: Demonstrate awareness of and responsiveness to children's emotional, physical, and educational needs, fostering freedom of expression and autonomy. 

• Learning Enabler: Collaborate with teachers to engage children in activities and maintain a classroom that offers ongoing learning opportunities. 

• Nature's Educator: Encourage learning through interaction with nature and the natural environment. 

• Supporting Inclusivity: Assist in implementing suitable learning activities for children with IFSPs and IEPs. 

• Linguistic Role Model: Set an example by using proper grammar, maintaining an appropriate voice level, and speaking clearly. 

• Hygiene & Cleanliness Advocate: Support classroom sanitation and cleaning schedules. 

• Nutrition & Safety Enforcer: Strictly adhering to CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) rules, ensuring sanitation during mealtimes and following guidelines for family-style meal service. 

• Feedback Recipient: Be open to feedback and act based on recommendations from supervisors and advisors, proactively seeking training or assistance when required. 

• Center's Backbone: Embrace additional responsibilities that contribute to the center's objectives. 

Qualifications: 

Be prepared to present current CPR, First Aid and Food Handler's permits or acquire them within 30 days of hire. 

The minimum requirement is that the individual must be at least 18 years old. HS/GED is preferred. Current and former Early Head Start and Head Start parents receive preference. 

• This entry-level position welcomes candidates with or without prior education or experience. What's most vital is your enthusiasm to work with children, including those with special needs and limited English proficiency. 

• While a high school diploma or GED is highly preferred, possessing a CDA (Childhood Development Associate) within the first six months or an AA in Early Childhood Education or a related field is even more advantageous.  

• USDA/CACFP Certification, Food Handlers Certification, ServSafe Managers Certification, 

Language Skills: 

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Ability to read and interpret documents, draft routine reports, and correspondence. 

Work Environment: 

• Kitchens may be hot and humid. The noise level is usually moderate. 

Why You'll Love It Here: 

We are passionate about our work and the incredible children and families we have the privilege to support. We have been dedicated to Community and Family Engagement since 1975, have been operating Head Start Programs since 1991, and have experience managing programs in challenging, isolated, and underserved areas. Our curricula and programs are rooted in science, and we are committed to the professional growth of minority communities. Plus, our team includes bilingual and bicultural staff to ensure inclusive and culturally sensitive care. 

Competitive salary and benefits package: 

$14.42 - $15.24 an hour 

PTO package 

Apply Today!!! 

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