Cook

Farmworkers Institute Of Education And Leadership Developmen; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Farmworkers Institute Of Education And Leadership Developmen is seeking a Cook for the Nutrition department in Bakersfield, CA. The role focuses on preparing and serving nutritious meals for students and staff in line with menus, nutrition guidelines, and safety standards.

This on-site, 10-month term position requires a Food Handler's Permit or ability to obtain one, with high school diploma or GED preferred.

Qualifications

• Previous institutional, cafeteria, restaurant, or school food service experience preferred.
• Knowledge of safe food handling and sanitation practices.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook breakfast and lunch items according to standardized recipes and production schedules.
• Assist with meal service to students and staff while providing courteous customer service.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations.
• Maintain proper food temperatures during preparation, holding, and serving.
• Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, food preparation areas, serving lines, and dining areas.
• Receive, inspect, store, and rotate food and supply deliveries using FIFO (First In, First Out) procedures.
• Operate commercial kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Assist with portion control and accurate meal counts.
• Support inventory management by reporting shortages and assisting with stock organization.
• Work cooperatively with kitchen staff, corps members, and other staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Food service experience

Sanitation practices

Instruction following

Fast-paced environment

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED preferred

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Bakersfield, CA 93307

Salary Range: $16.90 - $21.00 Hourly

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Cook

Current as of: 7/2/2026

FLSA Status: Non Exempt, FT, 10 Month EE

Onsite Position

Entity: EPIC/FIELD

Department: Nutrition

Reports to: Nutrition Supervisor

SUMMARY

The Cook is responsible for preparing and serving nutritious, high-quality meals for students and staff in accordance with school district menus, nutrition guidelines, and food safety standards. This position supports the daily operation of the school kitchen by assisting with food preparation, cooking, serving, cleaning, and maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to the following. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

• Prepare and cook breakfast and lunch items according to standardized recipes and production schedules.
• Assist with meal service to students and staff while providing courteous customer service.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations.
• Maintain proper food temperatures during preparation, holding, and serving.
• Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, food preparation areas, serving lines, and dining areas.
• Receive, inspect, store, and rotate food and supply deliveries using FIFO (First In, First Out) procedures.
• Operate commercial kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Assist with portion control and accurate meal counts.
• Support inventory management by reporting shortages and assisting with stock organization.
• Work cooperatively with kitchen staff, corps members, and other staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

EDUCATION

High school diploma or GED preferred.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

A valid Food Handler's Permit is required, or the ability to obtain one upon the start of employment.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to travel as needed/required
• Must have reliable transportation

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Basic reading and writing skills
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or concerns from customers, employees/coworkers, supervisors, management, and other personnel
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred, but not required

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is primarily performed in a commercial kitchen and school cafeteria setting. The employee is regularly exposed to hot ovens, stoves, steam, kitchen equipment, cleaning chemicals, and varying temperatures, including walk-in refrigerators and freezers. The work environment is fast-paced. The employee may be exposed to wet or slippery floors, moderate to high noise levels from kitchen equipment, and frequent interaction with students, staff, and vendors. Strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, and health regulations is required at all times.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The employee must be able to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday and frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds. The position requires regular bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, crouching, twisting, and repetitive hand and arm movements while preparing food, operating kitchen equipment, stocking supplies, and maintaining cleanliness.

QUALIFICATIONSJOB QUALIFICATIONS /REQUIREMENTS:

• Previous institutional, cafeteria, restaurant, or school food service experience preferred.
• Knowledge of safe food handling and sanitation practices.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.