Cook

Save the Children US; Hartford City (IN); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team making a difference in children's lives as a Cook! This essential role involves preparing nutritious meals, ensuring food safety, and supporting young children's dietary needs. You'll play a vital part in a supportive environment, where your contributions help shape the future of children and families. The position offers a chance to work collaboratively, implement effective food service programs, and uphold the values of accountability and integrity. If you're passionate about food service and committed to fostering a nurturing environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Pet Insurance

Disability Coverage

Employee Assistance Program

403(b) Retirement Plan

Generous Vacation

Commuter Benefits

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in food preparation and kitchen operations.
• Strong commitment to food safety and serving children.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals, ensuring adherence to dietary needs.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and food safety standards.
• Oversee inventory and kitchen operations.

Skills

Food Preparation

Kitchen Operations

Food Safety Compliance

Teamwork

Customer Service Orientation

Communication Skills

Time Management

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Kitchen Utensils

Food Storage Equipment

Job description

Summary

The Cook is a critical role within in a large system of services provided to children and families. A strong food service program is important to supporting the goals of the Head Start/Early Head Start program. You will be responsible for the ordering, preparing, serving and documentation of meals and snacks served to children, including following menus and all phases of kitchen operations including inventory control.

You will contribute to the smooth operations and functioning of the kitchen in adherence to health and food safety codes and the strict cleanliness of the kitchen and food service and storage areas. You will prepare foods for infants and toddlers and/or preschool children following the USDA/CACFP standards. This role may involve reassignment to various kitchens/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.

As a front-line representative of Save the Children the position holder is required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that, he/she comes in contact with and represents the agency values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

1. Prepare and serve food and assist in any food related activities as directed and menus as approved by registered dietitian/nutritionist. These duties may include the preparation of food to meet the needs of children with special needs or disabilities.
2. Make accommodations for special dietary needs. Maintain accurate records, both on paper and in designated on-line systems. Maintain confidentiality regarding children and families.
3. Oversee maintenance of inventory for all necessary supplies, food and equipment used for food services operations.
4. Oversee the processing and storage of food and food related items as they are delivered.
5. Safely operate, clean and maintain utensils and equipment used in an institutional kitchen.
6. Adhere to and ensure sanitation requirements are met when storing, handling and preparing food.
7. Oversee full kitchen operations and may supervise additional staff or volunteer assistance (depending on size and scope of workload).
8. Implement a cost effective food service program according to federal, state and local regulations that is a financially successful operation by helping to control food and labor costs.
9. Ensure that standardized recipes are followed and appropriate quantities of food are prepared and served in accordance with the CACFP meal requirements.
10. Prepare and serve all meals as planned, paying attention to food presentation and freshness.
11. Distribute and post weekly menu.
12. Deliver food to classroom and other Centers, where applicable.
13. Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
14. Apply clear practice and procedure in day-to-day execution of job.
15. Organize self and manage time to get things done.
16. Keep manager informed of important issues.
17. Build effective relationships within their workgroup and with children/families.
18. Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by manager.

Required Qualifications

1. High school diploma, plus at least 3 years of relevant experience.
2. Demonstrated commitment to service to children.
3. Proven relevant knowledge of basic food preparation and kitchen operations, including food safety requirements.
4. Ability to relate sensitively with children and to work well with staff, parents and families.
5. Proven commitment to teamwork and customer service orientation.
6. Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
7. Proven teamwork orientation and organizational skills.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of the basics of working with preschool children and infants/toddlers.
9. Proven ability to follow directions and take initiative.
10. Demonstrated ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential.
11. Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Previous experience having met Health Department Regulations, USDA and Head Start Standards is preferred.
2. Previous experience working with CACFP is preferred.
3. Certification in ServSafe is preferred.
4. Bilingual is preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area).
5. Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
6. Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels—whether internal or external—in the provision of high quality services to children and families.
7. Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; great problem solving and time management skills.
8. Demonstrated ability to follow established and communicated directions and take initiative.
9. Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
10. Proven ability to relate sensitively with children.
11. Proven ability to keep all required information strictly confidential.
12. Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.
13. Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use.

Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.

This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver’s license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.

Compensation

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

Why you should join the Save the Children Team…

Save the Children US offers outstanding benefits that include health, dental, vision and life insurances, pet insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, 403(b), generous vacation, personal sick leave, family leave, parental/adoption leave, commuter benefits, dress for your day, and much more.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives