Food Aide, Part-Time

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is seeking a dedicated Kitchen Assistant to support our child nutrition program. You will assist with meal preparation for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, and help model family-style meals for children.

Responsibilities include maintaining food safety, monitoring temperatures, cleaning the kitchen, and reporting needs to the Site Director. The role requires teamwork, reliability, and a commitment to healthy, nutritious meals for kids.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Capacity to learn and master new technologies and tools.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Relate well to children, parents, administrators and other staff members.

Responsibilities

• Implement cycle menu in accordance with Head Start CACFP guidelines.
• Prepare and distribute meals for breakfast, lunch, and snack per CACFP guidelines.
• Prepare meals for events and field trips.
• Monitor meal temperatures and maintain proper holding temperatures per USDA guidelines.
• Clean and sanitize the food preparation environment, equipment, and supplies.
• Collaborate with Site Director and staff to meet nutritional needs of children.
• Report nutrition, special diets, and sanitation needs to Site Director.
• Assist in classrooms during meals to model family-style dining.
• Assist teachers with monthly healthy/nutritious food experiences.
• Assist as floater/TA per policies and procedures.
• Maintain kitchen safety and sanitation per Chicago Health Department.
• Post and maintain CACFP notices; assist in monthly food monitoring and reporting.
• Participate in training and development; complete not less than 15 clock hours/year.
• Attend team meetings and staff trainings; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Time management

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Food safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

• Implement cycle menu in accordance with policies, procedures, and practices according to Head Start Program Performance Standards and guidelines established by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).


• Meal preparation and distribution for center-based program (breakfast, lunch, and snack) according to the Child and Adult Care Food Program “time of day meal service” and portion guidelines.


• Prepare and set meals for parent meetings, special events, and for field trips.


• Monitor and record meal temperatures upon receipt, and proper holding temperature for food service pers USDA guidelines.


• Cleaning and sanitation of the food preparation environment, equipment, and supplies.


• Collaborate with Site Director, Family Support Specialist, and other department staff to ensure provision of optimal nutritional needs and care for all children.


• Report all nutrition, special diets, and sanitation needs and concerns verbally and in writing to Site Director.


• Assist in classrooms during meals to model and support family style meals, encourage children to try new foods.


• Assist and support teachers with set-up and implementing monthly healthy/nutritious food experiences with children; and overall program with identifying and sharing monthly nutrition resources for families.


• Assisting in the classrooms as a floater/TA, as needed, while following all policies and procedures


• Maintains food safety and sanitation kitchen as mandated by the Chicago Health Department (service areas, utensils, equipment, and food storage).


• Posts and maintains all required Child and Adult Care Food public notices in the kitchen,


• Maintains all required Child and Adult Care Food Program documentation and assists in completing monthly food monitoring and reporting as instructed by supervisor of Management.


• Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge related to child nutrition, health, and safety; attend and complete not less than 15 clock hours of professional development per year.


• Participate in team meetings, staffing nutrition-related activities, and required staff training.


• Other job-related and programmatic duties as assigned.


• Discreetly handle sensitive information and always maintain confidentiality.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Implement cycle menu in accordance with policies, procedures, and practices according to Head Start Program Performance Standards and guidelines established by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).


• Meal preparation and distribution for center-based program (breakfast, lunch, and snack) according to the Child and Adult Care Food Program “time of day meal service” and portion guidelines.


• Prepare and set meals for parent meetings, special events, and for field trips.


• Monitor and record meal temperatures upon receipt, and proper holding temperature for food service pers USDA guidelines.


• Cleaning and sanitation of the food preparation environment, equipment, and supplies.


• Collaborate with Site Director, Family Support Specialist, and other department staff to ensure provision of optimal nutritional needs and care for all children.


• Report all nutrition, special diets, and sanitation needs and concerns verbally and in writing to Site Director.


• Assist in classrooms during meals to model and support family style meals, encourage children to try new foods.


• Assist and support teachers with set-up and implementing monthly healthy/nutritious food experiences with children; and overall program with identifying and sharing monthly nutrition resources for families.


• Assisting in the classrooms as a floater/TA, as needed, while following all policies and procedures


• Maintains food safety and sanitation kitchen as mandated by the Chicago Health Department (service areas, utensils, equipment, and food storage).


• Posts and maintains all required Child and Adult Care Food public notices in the kitchen,


• Maintains all required Child and Adult Care Food Program documentation and assists in completing monthly food monitoring and reporting as instructed by supervisor of Management.


• Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge related to child nutrition, health, and safety; attend and complete not less than 15 clock hours of professional development per year.


• Participate in team meetings, staffing nutrition-related activities, and required staff training.


• Other job-related and programmatic duties as assigned.


• Discreetly handle sensitive information and always maintain confidentiality.

Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor


• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children


• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor


• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required

Commitment to Inclusion

Supports the YMCA’s commitment to inclusion of all members as required by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Job responsibilities may include implementing program modifications for persons with cognitive, behavioral or physical disabilities, including but not limited to the injection of medical glucagon to members with Type 1 diabetes in emergency situations. Appropriate training and development will be provided to YMCA team members based on your role and responsibilities.

Minimum And Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent


• Ability to follow instructions and work collaboratively in a team environment.


• Relate well to children, children, parents, administrators and other staff members.


• Capacity to learn and master new technologies and tools.


• Ability to work under minimal supervision and exercise initiative and judgment in performing job.


• Time management and organizational skills.


• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.


• Capacity to manage and use computer networks to receive and share information, collect and exchange data.


• Ability to complete reports and keep accurate detailed records and documentation.


• Meet physical qualifications required as outlined in job description. The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.

Preferred

• Previous experience in food service or a related field is preferred, but not mandatory


• Knowledge of food safety regulations and hygiene practices.


• Demonstrates evidence of YMCA Y Team competencies in previous experience or practice.


• Ability to obtain DCFS background check clearance and provide pre-employment medical screening documentation.