F/T Nutrition Cook/Lead

Colonial School District; United States; On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial School District in the United States seeks a Cook/Lead Worker (6.5 Hours/Day) to prepare meals from a pre-planned menu using standardized recipes. You will batch cook for quality and ensure timely serving, with HACCP compliance and daily production records.

Applicants should complete DOE Food Service Unit 1-4 coursework within 2 years and ServSafe certification is preferred. Leadership, dependability, and the ability to work with students and staff are essential.

Qualifications

• Completion of Department of Education Food Service Unit One through Unit Four Courses within two years from date of hire.
• ServSafe certification at time of hire preferred, or within three months from hire/promotion.
• Knowledge of HACCP procedures during food preparation and storage.
• Ability to read recipes and convert measurements.
• Knowledge of USDA Meal Pattern requirements as specified by the USDA Child Nutrition Program.
• Prior outside cooking/baking experience as a school general worker.
• Cooperative attitude, leadership and ability to work with students and school personnel and co-workers.
• Dependability with regular attendance.
• Physically able to lift at least 40 lbs., work in extreme temperatures, and stand on cement floors for up to six hours.
• Acceptable Criminal Background Report and no entries on Child Abuse Registry

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals according to a pre-planned menu using standardized recipes.
• Schedule preparation so items are ready at serving times and batch cook for quality and freshness.
• Prepare daily menu items in appropriate quantities with adequate portions and maintain production records.
• Implement HACCP procedures for receiving, preparing, and storing food.
• Order, receive, check in, issue, and store food and supplies following HACCP.
• Operate kitchen equipment such as steamers, ranges, ovens, slicers, mixers.
• Possess basic cash register operation and willingness to learn manager software.
• Keep work areas clean and maintain production area hygiene.
• Assist Nutrition Services Manager with inventory and record-keeping.
• Provide leadership and written/verbal directives to staff as needed.
• Accept alternating assignments as directed.
• Expedite preparation, serving, and cleanup with positive teamwork.
• Display cooperative attitude with students, staff, and coworkers.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Reading recipes & measuring

HACCP knowledge

Teamwork with students

Dependability

Physical stamina

Communication with supervisor

Education

DOE Food Service Unit 1-4 courses

ServSafe certification (preferred)

Tools

Cash register

Kitchen equipment

Job description

You belong in the Power of WE! EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Internal and External

POSITION: Cook/Lead Worker(6.5 Hours/Day)

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

• Required completion of Department of Education Food Service Unit One through Unit Four Courses must be completed within two (2) years from the date of hire.
• Required completion of ServSafe certification at time of hire preferred, or within three (3) months from date of hire/promotion.
• Knowledge of HACCP procedures during food preparation and storage.
• Ability to read recipes and convert measurements to the desired quantities.
• Knowledge of requirements for USDA Meal Pattern as specified by the USDA Child Nutrition Program.
• Prior outside cooking/baking experience as a school general worker.
• Cooperative attitude, leadership and ability to work well with students, school personnel and co-workers.
• Evidence of dependability. Regular attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Physical ability to perform above duties (lift at least 40 lbs.), work in extreme temperatures, and stand on cement floors for up to six hours a day. Requires repetitive stooping, twisting and bending.
• Acceptable Criminal Background Report and no entries on Child Abuse Registry

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities related to the job function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. The Supervisor may assign other duties and accountabilities limited to those consistent with the applicable scope of the appropriate professional job function.

• Shall perform skilled work in the preparation of all menu items according to a pre-planned menu using selected standardized recipes.
• Shall schedule preparation time so that menu items are ready promptly at serving times and batch cooked in order to ensure quality and freshness. Products are to be taste tested for quality before serving.
• Shall prepare daily menu items in appropriate quantity, assuring adequate portions and avoiding over production. Responsible for reading recipes and converting measurements. Shall inform manager of supplies needed well in advance. Shall have the ability to maintain written production records and all temperature records.
• Shall implement proper HACCP procedures while receiving, preparing and storage of all food in accordance with federal, state, and district procedures.
• Shall order, receive, check in, issue, and store food & supplies following HACCP and procedures.
• Shall be responsible for proper use, operation and cleanliness of all kitchen equipment including but not limited to steamers, gas and electric ranges, convection ovens, slicers, mixers, and all other kitchen equipment as required.
• Shall have the ability to operate the cash register and willing to learn the manager computer software.
• Shall keep work and storage areas and equipment clean and avoid a backlog of unwashed equipment; shall keep the production area clean and be willing to sweep the floor or sanitize cafeteria tables.
• Shall assist Nutrition Services Manager to maintain perpetual food inventory and take physical inventory utilizing a computerized system.
• Shall demonstrate leadership ability to provide verbal and written directives to staff in regard to assisting in the prep area, proper portion sizes, cooking and holding temperatures.
• Shall accept alternating assignments when designated by the Nutrition Services Manager.
• Shall observe whatever needs to be done to expedite the preparation, serving, and cleanup, and complete such tasks without regard to classification.
• Shall display to students, faculty, staff and co-workers an attitude of accommodation and cooperation.
• Shall perform other related duties as needed or assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and/or fingers to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. This job requires repetitive stooping, twisting and bending. The employee must be able to tolerate working in extreme temperatures. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactory Criminal Background Check – must be less than 1 year old
• DE Child Abuse Registry Report
• Negative TB Test – must be less than 1 year old
• Signed Social Security Card-required by State of Delaware for payroll purposes; you will be able to upload copy directly into your Onboarding Packet
• I-9 with appropriate forms of identification
• Mandatory Direct Deposit of paycheck
• Must successfully complete standard Fit for Duty assessment related to physical requirements

The Colonial School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees, applicants, visitors, or others, and does not deny access to educational or other services, based on any characteristic prohibited by law.

Note: Incomplete application packages will not be considered.

Location: to be determined

Date Posted: 10/27/2026

Date Available: 11/30/2026

Closing Date: 11/02/2026