Cook Helper

NYC Administration for Children's Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Administration for Children’s Services is seeking an Institutional Aide - Cook Helper to assist in food preparation and serving within a city institution. The role requires knowledge of sanitary codes and delivering courteous service to staff and residents.

Under the supervision of senior cooks, you will help ensure safe, nutritious meals for youth in care, while maintaining cleanliness and following portion control guidelines. Residency in NYC is typically required.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and write English and to understand and carry out simple instructions.
• Ability to read and write English.
• Ability to work well under pressure and in fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Able to maintain professional relationship with clients, co-workers, and facility staff.
• Strong knowledge of proper food handling procedures.
• NYC DOHMH Food Handlers Certificate preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness of the assigned areas to provide residents with a safe and sanitary dining environment.
• Maintain inventory and security of supplies and equipment.
• Assist stock workers in the inspection and weighing of foods that are delivered, while ensuring quality and verifying quantity
• Serve food to residents and youth while maintaining portion control.
• Monitor security of the refrigeration and storage areas to limited access.

Skills

Reading and writing English

Under pressure

Communication skills

Professional relationship with staff

Food handling procedures

Food Handlers Certificate (DOHMH)

Tools

NYC DOHMH Food Handlers Certificate

Job description

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $40,223.00 - $46,256.00

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services and provides subsidized childcare vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement, and programs for youth in the community.

The Division of Administration provides a wide range of support services throughout ACS to ensure all Divisions receive adequate and efficient support services to carry out their respective missions. The Division of Administration (Admin) employs approximately 463 public employees. Admin manages a Personnel Services (PS) Budget of approximately $29M and an Other Than Personnel Services (OTPS) Budget (OTPS) of $140M. It provides services including building maintenance, real estate, design, construction management, facilities and custodial services, occupational safety and health, operational support, security, transportation, and print production.

The Food and Nutrition Services Unit manages a food services budget of $5M for FY 2024. It is responsible for the preparation and service of food to children and youth in the care of ACS. The full‑serviced kitchens serve three meals and snacks to youth housed at the Crossroads and Horizon Secure Juvenile Detention Centers and the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center (NSCC) congregate facility.

The Food and Nutrition Unit also partners with children, youth, and care providers to address behavior issues related to food and develops/designs specialized menus to accommodate food allergies, and medical, religious, and cultural dietary restrictions.The Food and Nutrition Services Unit is also responsible for distributing meal cards to youth at the NSCC congregate facility and maintaining operations of the vending machines throughout the Agency. the Unit oversees the execution of Light Refreshment and Modest Meal Requests for staff and youth-centered events throughout the year and ensures the requests comply with New York City Comptroller’s Directive 6.

What We’re Looking For

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Cook and the Cook, the Cook Helper is responsible for assisting in the preparation and serving of food in an institution in accordance with the New York City Food Standards, Executive Order 122, and performing related duties. This position requires knowledge of sanitary codes applicable to meal preparation, food handling and cleaning. The cook helper must provide professional and courteous service to all staff, residents, and co-workers. Consistent and reliable cook helpers are required to assist in the preparation of food that provides physical nourishment and contributes to a sense of emotional well-being to children and youth in the care of ACS.

The Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Maintain cleanliness of the assigned areas to provide residents with a safe and sanitary dining environment.
• Maintain inventory and security of supplies and equipment.
• Assist stock workers in the inspection and weighing of foods that are delivered, while ensuring quality and verifying quantity
• Serve food to residents and youth while maintaining portion control.
• Monitor security of the refrigeration and storage areas to limited access.

Additional Information

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

INSTITUTIONAL AIDE - 81803

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirement

Ability to read and write English and to understand and carry out simple instructions.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to read and write English.
• Ability to work well under pressure and in fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Able to maintain professional relationship with clients, co-workers, and facility staff.
• Strong knowledge of proper food handling procedures
• NYC DOHMH Food Handlers Certificate preferred but not required.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

, $40,223.00 – $51,248.00