Cook (Calvary)

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency; City of Utica (NY); On-site; USD 22,041 - 22,744; Full time

Job summary

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency seeks a Cook responsible for implementing food service for Head Start programs, ensuring nutritional needs are met in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

The ideal candidate will manage a clean kitchen, adhere to food safety guidelines, and participate in meals to model good nutrition for children. Applicants should have a high school diploma and be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

• Strict adherence to health, safety, food handling, food storage, and sanitation requirements.
• Ability to maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment.

Responsibilities

• Implement food service for Head Start/Early Head Start Programs.
• Provide meals according to age-specific portion sizes.
• Maintain records including equipment and food temperatures, cleaning records.

Skills

Food safety regulations

Nutritional needs knowledge

Record-keeping

Communication skills

Discretion and confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

• $16.00 - $16.51 per hour

JOB FUNCTION

The Cook is responsible for the implementation of food service for the Head Start/Early Head Start Programs serving children ages 8 weeks – 5 years. Cooks are responsible for ensuring the nutritional needs of children are met accordance with all Local, State, and Federal guidelines and regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Strictly adheres to health, safety, food handling, food storage, and sanitation requirements at all times in accordance with all applicable food safety regulations.
• Maintains awareness of all classroom‑specific food service needs, including knowledge and understanding of Dietary Modifications and Food Allergies.
• Maintains a kitchen environment that is clean, safe, and compliant with all food safety regulations and applicable codes.
• Provides meals of age‑specific portion sizes to children in accordance with USDA/CACFP guidelines.
• Adheres to the menu cycle, adjusting only when necessary due to the availability of menu items when approved by the Nutrition Manager.
• Works with classroom staff to provide Nutrition Education Lessons to children and families.
• Participates in meals with the children as a curriculum activity, to model good nutrition and developmentally appropriate social skills for children age birth to 5.
• Completes daily, weekly, and monthly record‑keeping including, but not limited to: equipment temperatures, food temperatures, cleaning records, inventory, food and supply orders, and food production records or delivery invoices where applicable.
• Identify and encourage families wanting to volunteer in the classroom, work as substitutes or in other volunteer activities to the Human Resource office.
• Secures substitutes for all absences.
• Completes custodial duties not provided by the lease agreement.
• Understands, generates and documents in‑kind and other allowable costs toward the non‑federal share requirement.
• Demonstrates commitment to mission, values and policies in the performance of daily duties.
• Understands and supports MVCAA, Inc. Supervision of Children policy.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure the successful execution of the program.
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality and privacy
• Basic literacy skills
• Basic computer literacy in email, word processing and internet navigation
• Able to travel to all sites, trainings, and meetings as necessary and requested. Driver’s license preferred.
• Able to maintain accurate records.
• Background check, fingerprint clearance, physical exam and TB.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to move throughout kitchen, classroom, building, gross motor areas, and outside venues during a field trip.