Assistant Cook

Save the Children; Alexandria (LA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance coverage

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Save the Children is seeking an Assistant Cook in Alexandria, Louisiana. In this role, you will assist in preparing and serving meals for children in the Head Start program, following strict health and safety guidelines.

Your responsibilities include maintaining the kitchen's cleanliness, ensuring nutritional needs are met, and safely transporting meals to various locations. You will also assist in inventory management and adhere to USDA standards.

The position offers full-time work with various benefits, including paid time off and health coverage.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience in food service.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Professional proficiency in English.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals according to nutritional needs.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and food safety standards.
• Assist with food inventory and deliveries.

Skills

Teamwork

Customer service orientation

Organization skills

Communication skills

Food service experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Title: Assistant Cook

Employee Type: Full-Time Regular or Part-Time Regular

Supervisor Title: Manager, Nutrition or Cook

Division: Head Start, U.S. Programs

Role

The Assistant Cook/Food Transporter will assist in ordering, preparing, serving, and documenting meals and snacks for children served in the Head Start and/or Early Head Start program, following menus and all phases of kitchen operations including inventory control.

You will contribute to smooth flow of operations in the assigned kitchen, and to the functioning of the kitchen in adherence to health and food safety codes and strict cleanliness of the kitchen and food service and storage areas, preparing foods for infants and toddlers and/or preschool children following USDA/CACFP and Head Start standards. This position may involve reassignment to various kitchens/centers as deemed necessary for program operations. You will be responsible for safely transporting meals to program satellite sites.

As a front‑line representative of Save the Children, you are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families you encounter and represent the agency values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Prepare food to meet the needs of children with special needs, restricted diets, medical issues or disabilities; ensure specifications are met in accordance with Save the Children policies, state regulations, OHS and CACFP/USDA.
• Prepare and serve food and assist in food-related activities as directed, following menus approved by a registered dietician/nutritionist.
• Prepare and serve all meals as planned, paying attention to food presentation and freshness.
• Assist Head Cook with overseeing full kitchen operations and may supervise volunteer assistants depending on workload.
• Assist with maintenance of inventory for food service operations.
• Assist with the processing and storage of food and food-related items as they are delivered.
• Ensure standardized recipes are followed and that appropriate quantities of food and serving proportions are prepared and served in accordance with CACFP meal requirements.
• Ensure production books for CACFP and related documents are completed accurately daily.
• Attend child nutrition meetings and required program meetings.
• Receive, inspect and verify delivery of food, food-related items and all kitchen/food inventory in the absence of the Head Cook.
• Implement a cost-effective food service program, according to federal, state and local regulations, creating a financially successful operation by controlling food and labor costs.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by manager.
• Deliver meals to satellite Head Start Program sites.
• Keep in close contact with the site office while in the field.
• Conduct pre- and post-inspections of vehicle daily.
• Ensure health and safety standards are followed at all times during deliveries by maintaining and monitoring food temperatures.
• Report all accidents or incidents to the supervisor immediately.
• Provide a clean and safe environment inside and outside the transporter vehicle.
• Maintain and follow the delivery schedule set by program management.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus at least two (2) years of related experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in a food service environment.
• Proven teamwork and successful customer service orientation.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, self‑management of time and overall cleanliness.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels, both internal and external.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven relevant knowledge of basic food preparation and kitchen operations, including food safety requirements.
• General bookkeeping skills.
• Previous experience meeting Health Department Regulations, USDA and Head Start Standards.
• Previous experience working with CACFP.
• Certification in SERV SAFE.

Additional Qualifications

• Physical requirements: ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, up to 10 pounds constantly, including sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, keyboarding and computer use.
• Clear pre‑employment background check required, including local, state and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment and education verifications, and child abuse registry check if required by state regulations.
• Position requires operating a motor vehicle; must maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with Save the Children policies on safe vehicle operation.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for eligible vacancies.

Compensation

The base pay for this position starts at $15/hour. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, experience, credentials, internal peer pay and other qualifications specific to the role.

Benefits

• Paid time off: 10 days winter break and 5 days spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family. Employer-paid short‑term disability and long‑term disability benefits.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled in a high‑deductible health plan with company matching.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll in health care and dependent care options.
• Life: Employer-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits (AD&D).
• Family: Parental/adoption, fertility benefits.
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
• Retirement: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions after one year.
• Wellness: Health benefits and support through Calm and company‑hosted events.
• Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential assessments, short‑term counseling, referrals, and follow‑up services.
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities, mentorship, certification and tuition assistance.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Save the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is protected under Veterans and Persons with Disabilities statutes. The organization is required to notify all applicants of their rights under federal employment laws. For additional information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.