Mobile Cook

National Instruments; Portadown; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Retainer paid during school holidays

Job summary

Education Authority in the Portadown/Craigavon area is recruiting a Mobile Cook on a part-time basis (25 hours per week). You will assist the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor with meal preparation, menu planning, and supervising staff as needed.

The role includes maintaining HACCP hygiene standards and promoting the service to parents and customers. The post emphasises teamwork, reliability, and the ability to work under pressure in a school kitchen environment, with a retainer paid during school

Qualifications

• Essential Criteria: NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or equivalent, or two years’ catering experience.
• Knowledge of HACCP.
• Willingness to undertake job-related training.
• Access to reliable transport for Education Authority duties.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and cooking of meals across the full range.
• Help with menu planning, portion control and special dietary meals.
• Maintain hygiene, health and safety records, including temperature recording.
• Support supervision of staff and general kitchen management in absence of supervisor.
• Carry out stock checks, goods receipt and store organisation.
• Assist in promoting the service to parents and customers.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team working

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Education

NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2

Job description

Job Reference: 26007169)Primary Location : Armagh-PortadownOther Locations :Armagh-Armagh-Armagh Office, Armagh-CraigavonContract Type : PermanentDuration of Contract/Contract End Date : N/AStatus : Part-TimeHours per Week : 25 hours per weekWorking Pattern : Monday - FridayGrade/Scale : Cook | NJC pt 11 - 14 | £14.9917 - £15.7367 per hourAdditional Allowance(s) : A retainer fee is paid during school holidaysAnticipated Interview Date(s) : 15/10/2026Additional Information: This role is for the Portadown/Craigavon Area The Education Authority (EA) is currently recruiting for a Mobile Cook in the Portadown Craigavon area. Suitable applicants who are not appointed to this immediate vacancy will be placed on a reserve list for this area which will remain valid for one year and may be offered appointments with variable working hours at the discretion of the EA during that period.JOB DESCRIPTIONJOB TITLE: Mobile CookREPORTS TO: Senior/Unit Catering SupervisorRESPONSIBLE TO: Catering Manager through appropriate Area Catering ManagerRESPONSIBLE FOR: Shared supervision of staffJOB PURPOSETo assist the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor in all activities concerned with the preparation and cooking of meals.Team participation is essential to provide an efficient hygienic service, to achieve customer satisfaction and to promote sales within the unit.MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES1. Skilled cooking activities connected with the full range of meals (for example, assist with the preparation of menus, portion control, the provision of special dietary meals and function catering where appropriate).2. To assist with:a) Record keeping.b) Control of hygiene, health and safety in the kitchen including recording of temperatures.c) The direction and/or shared supervision of other employees.3. To undertake operational control of service points including transported meals.4. Associated administrative duties as required which may include assistance with: (a) The planning of meals. (b) Stock-taking, including the organisation of stores and fridges and receipt of deliveries. (c) General kitchen management in the absence of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor. (d) Shared supervision of other employees. (e) Training of staff. (f) Cash handling duties where appropriate.5. General kitchen duties as required which may include washing up, setting up and clearing away equipment and tables, cleaning of the kitchen, dining room surrounds and equipment.6. Assist in the promotion of the service to parents, principals and customers to increase the uptake.7. Securing of premises as required.8. Duties as delegated in connection with service provision.General Conditions:9. All duties must be carried out to comply with:(a) Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements.(b) Codes of Practice.10. All duties will be carried out in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job.11. All necessary administration must be completed as required.12. Duties will be carried out for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competence of the employee13. Promote and adhere to the Values/ethos of the School.This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.PERSON SPECIFICATIONNOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.Section 1 - Essential CriteriaThe following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.FactorEssential CriteriaMethod Of AssessmentQualifications and ExperienceHold either (A) or (B):(A) NVQ level 2 in food preparation and cooking or City & Guilds 706-1 & 706-2 or equivalent or higher relevant qualification OR(B) Two years’ experience of food preparation and cooking within a catering establishmentShortlisting by Application FormKnowledgeKnowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)Shortlisting by Application FormOtherWillingness to undertake job related trainingHave access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable you to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner;ORProvide sufficient information to satisfy the employer that you have access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable you to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner.Shortlisting by Application FormSection 2 - Essential CriteriaThe following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stagein line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.FactorEssential CriteriaMethod Of Assessment Skills/AbilitiesIn line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:Ability to communicate and engage effectively with others as part of a team and with customersExcellent interpersonal and team working skillsEffective organisational and planning skills and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlinesMotivation towards providing excellent food and customer serviceInterview Values OrientationEvidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.InterviewSection 3 - Desirable CriteriaSome or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.FactorDesirable CriteriaMethod Of AssessmentQualifications and Experience N/A Shortlisting by Application FormDISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDThe Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.