Early Head Start/Head Start Cook II, Springerville

Northern Arizona Council of Governments; Springerville (AZ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Arizona State Retirement (ASRS)

Paid sick leave

Holiday pay

Job summary

NACOG is hiring a Head Start Cook II in Springerville to prepare nutritious meals and snacks for Head Start children. You will maintain records and follow safety standards in a collaborative, child-focused setting.

Responsibilities include menu planning with parents, purchasing within budget, serving meals, and participating in staff meetings and training. Arizona driver’s license and fingerprint clearance are required; 1 year of nutrition/food prep experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience and training equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of nutrition and food preparation experience.
• Ability to plan and prepare nutritious meals for Head Start children.
• Knowledge of safety and sanitation in food handling.

Responsibilities

• Plans menus with parents and center staff to meet nutritional requirements of children.
• Orders or purchases food for the menus within budgetary limitations.
• Prepares meals and snacks from the approved menu.
• Serves the food in a family style setting and eats with the children.
• Practices safety and sanitation in preparation and storage of food.
• Cleans and maintains the food preparation and storage areas and equipment.
• Participates in classroom cooking experiences.
• Prepares all necessary records and reports.

Skills

Nutrition and food preparation

Safety and sanitation knowledge

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Early Head Start/Head Start Cook II, Springerville

Job Category: Food Service Workers

Requisition Number: EARLY001955

• Posted : August 6, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

In compliance with Federal Law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Prepares nutritious meals and snacks for Head Start children and maintains complete and accurate records of the food service program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans menus with parents and center staff to meet nutritional requirements of children.
• Orders or purchases food for the menus within budgetary limitations.
• Prepares meals and snacks from the approved menu.
• Serves the food in a family style setting and eats with the children.
• Practices safety and sanitation in preparation and storage of food.
• Cleans and maintains the food preparation and storage areas and equipment.
• Participates in classroom cooking experiences.
• Prepares all necessary records and reports.
• Participates in general and center staff meetings and in parent activities.
• Recruits parents to participate in menu planning and to act as substitute cooks.
• Participates in training programs and workshops.
• Posts weekly menus, list of vendors and weekly work schedules for Cook and Lunch Aide.
• Observes required health and safety rules.
• Performs related duties, as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises a Lunch Aide.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience

Experience and training equivalent to graduation from high school and one year of nutrition and food preparation experience. Experience and training planning and preparing nutritious meals for the Head Start children, assuring that one-third of the daily nutritional needs are met. The cook is responsible for purchasing and storing food, keeping sanitary standards, and record keeping. The cook participates in all staff and center meetings and training. The cook works under general supervision of the Center Director after the requirements have been learned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of food preparation, safe storage and sanitation. Genuine care and respect for children and their needs. Physical condition adequate to meet the physical and emotional demands of assigned duties. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with people of varied social, cultural, and educational backgrounds. Must be bondable.

Certificates and Licenses

Current, valid Arizona Driver's License.

Obtain Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card

Obtain Food Mangers or Food Managers certification as required by the County Health Department

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met, or are encountered, by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NACOG is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by the state, federal, or local law. NACOG is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individual with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Human Resources Director, 928-774-1895, [e-mail] .

Benefits include:

• Agency paid health
• dental
• vision
• Arizona State Retirement (ASRS)
• Paid sick leave & holiday pay

Qualifications

Skills

Behaviors

:

Motivations

:

Education

Experience

Required

1 year:

Nutrition and food preparation experience.

Licenses & Certifications

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.