Cook

Family Guidance Center; Tallassee (AL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Guidance Center invites applications for a Cook at the Tallassee Head Start kitchen. The role focuses on preparing nutritious, USDA‑approved meals for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years, while keeping the kitchen clean and compliant with health standards.

You will monitor inventory, document food service records, and collaborate with staff to support family‑style dining and culturally diverse menus. Local travel and valid driver's license are required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent; ServSafe certification or within 3 months.
• Experience in purchasing and preparing culturally diverse foods for groups.
• Travel up to 10% for meetings; valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare USDA‑approved meals in line with Head Start guidelines.
• Maintain kitchen sanitation and accurate food service records.
• Conduct weekly inventory and place food orders.
• Assist in delivering meals to classrooms and supervise family-style dining.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Cultural sensitivity

Computer literacy

Verbal and written communication

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

ServSafe Certification or eligible within 3 months

Tools

MS Office

Data systems / internet navigation

Job description

Job Location

Tallassee Head Start - Tallassee, AL 36078

Job Summary

The Cook is responsible for the implementation of food services in a Head Start program serving children ages 6 weeks-5 years. Responsibilities include preparing attractive, USDA-approved meals; keeping the kitchen clean and sanitary according to Health Department ordinances; and maintaining adequate food stocks, kitchen supplies, and food service records.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The Cook will ultimately be evaluated on a combination of skills, dispositions and behaviors, some of which are related to the specific service area of this position and others that represent general expectations of all Family Guidance Center of Alabama employees.

Nutritious Cooking

• Prepares nutritious meals that take into consideration children's various cultures and individual nutritional needs.
• Understands and uses child nutritional needs and age‑specific portion sizes to prepare meals in accordance with USDA, Head Start, and CACFP guidelines.
• Understands and strictly adheres to health, safety, food handling, and sanitation requirements before, during and after meal preparation.
• Follows menu guidelines and adjusts when necessary due to the availability of menu items or an individual child's needs.
• Plays and participates in nutritious cooking activities with children.

The Cook's responsibilities chiefly fall within the following core functions, although s/he may perform other tasks as needed:

Food Services

• Prepare assigned menu and participate in family‑style meals with children, volunteers, and staff. Work in conjunction with the Center Operations Coordinator and Classroom Staff to monitor family style dining in classrooms and document as appropriate.
• Maintain food service record‑keeping and reporting as directed by supervisor.
• Conduct weekly inventory of food and supplies.
• Complete weekly food and supplies order sheets and submit to supervisor.
• Check food deliveries for accuracy and for good quality. Notify Health and Nutrition Services Manager when an item is missing or of poor quality.
• Store food and supplies properly. Date all canned, boxed and bagged foods. Use the First in, First Out (FIFO) method of inventory.
• Monitor and maintain proper food temperatures.
• Monitor and maintain proper temperatures of all refrigerator and freezers.
• Maintain appropriate cleanliness of all kitchen materials and supplies as required.
• Maintain list and be aware of center food allergies and concerns. Prepare alternate menu items as needed for the affected children.
• Assist in delivery of food to classrooms and of soiled dishes from the classroom.
• Participates in assigned meetings, events and training as required.

Non‑Essential Duties

• Perform any and all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent. ServSafe Certification or obtain such certification within 3 months.
• Experience in purchasing and preparing culturally diverse foods for groups. Knowledge of early childhood nutrition.
• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
• Travel required locally or long‑distance up to 10% of the time for work‑related meetings and functions.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated computer literacy skills, using MS Office applications and other basic data systems including internet navigation.
• Must be honest, dependable and able to meet deadlines.
• Self‑motivated and able to work independently.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and bend periodically.
• Ability to engage in repetitive movement of wrists, hands, and fingers—mixing, pouring, writing.
• Ability to receive and respond to oral and written communication.
• Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Work Environment

Work is generally performed in a commercial kitchen environment. Noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud (examples: kitchen equipment, light to moderate traffic, human voices).

Standard office equipment generally used includes:

• Telephone
• Personal Computer (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) or Tablet (if applicable)
• Calculator
• Printer/Photocopy Machine
• Fax Machine

May be required to operate a motor vehicle during the course of duties.