Head Cook

Young World Physical Education; Altoona (IA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Southeast Polk Community School District Alternative Programs in Altoona, IA is seeking a Head Cook for the 10:00am-1:30pm shift at Alternate Programs. The role leads daily kitchen operations, ensures HACCP SOP compliance, and coordinates with staff to provide quality meals for students.

Requirements include a High School Diploma or equivalent, ServSafe certification within 6–12 months, plus ability to supervise and manage inventories. Reports to the Director of Food and Nutrition Services.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Prefer two years quantity cooking experience.
• Ability to obtain ServSafe certification within the first six months to one year.
• Ability to perform basic clerical and mathematical tasks.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and accomplish assigned work.
• Ability to provide work direction and respond to requests politely.
• Ability to work independently and/or lead a group.

Responsibilities

• Leads, coordinates, and participates in day-to-day food service operations.
• Prepare food per menus; estimate and order food and supplies; monitor costs.
• Receive orders, verify items arrive and store properly.
• Maintain and review menu production records and inventories.
• Oversee production, serving, cleanup, and staffing adjustments.
• Ensure serving areas are efficient and appealing to customers.
• Inspect kitchen to ensure HACCP SOPs and regulations compliance.
• Communicate with students, staff, and external groups; address issues.
• Take catering orders and ensure all aspects are fulfilled.
• Train employees on food handling, equipment use and sanitation.

Skills

lead a group

organizational skills

courteous communication

independent work

team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

ServSafe certification within 6–12 months

New Manager Training within first year

Job description

Southeast Polk Community School District Alternative Programs - Altoona, Iowa Open in Google Maps

Head Cook

Southeast Polk Community School District Alternative Programs - Altoona, Iowa Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in TeachIowa, Iowa's Marketplace for education jobs

Job Details

Job ID: 5887224
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Aug 14, 2026 7:03 PM (UTC)

Job Description

SOUTHEAST POLK COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Job Description

Job Title: Head Cook
Hours: 10:00am-1:30pm
Location: Alternate Programs

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Prefer two years quantity cooking experience.
• Ability to obtain ServSafe certification and complete New Manager Training within the first six-months to one year of employment.
• Ability to perform basic clerical skills and perform basic mathematical skills.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and accomplish assigned work.
• Ability to provide work direction and respond to requests in a courteous and helpful manner.
• Ability to work independently and/or lead a group of individuals in the successful completion of tasks and meeting of goals.
• Ability to work harmoniously with staff, students and public.

Desired:

• Experience in the supervision of school food service operations preferred.

Reports to: Director of Food and Nutrition Services

Job Goal: Lead, coordinate and participate in the day-to-day operations of an assigned school kitchen; assuring quality products prepared according to the HACCP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manufacturer's directions and standardized recipes in an atmosphere that is positive for all kitchen staff; recognizes and adheres to all District, State and Federal laws & regulations.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Leads, coordinates, oversees and participates in the day-to-day food service operations at assigned school kitchen assuring efficiency, quality and cost control
• Prepare food per written menus, assuring compliance with regulations and requirements; estimate and order amount of food and supplies needed; monitor and control expenditures
• Receive orders, verify expected items arrive and meet quality standards required and SOPs have been followed. Store food properly.
• Maintain, prepare and review a variety of menu production records, inventories, logs and reports; accumulate data and input information into a computer as appropriate and file documents as necessary.
• Oversee and participate in each segment of the operation production, serving, cleanup and scanning assess if staff reassignment (or correction) is needed and delegate, correct or assist as needed to assure timing requirements and customer service expectations are met.
• Make sure serving areas are set up for efficiency and customer appeal.
• Inspect kitchen and dining areas daily to assure HACCP SOPs are followed, staff are meeting requirements, equipment is operating well and the operation is in compliance with district, state and federal regulations. Overall responsibility for making sure kitchen and storage areas are well organized, clean and ready for a health inspection at any time.
• Communicate with students, staff, faculty, administration, parents and outside organizations to exchange information, receive suggestions and resolve issues related to the kitchen.
• Take catering orders and follow through to assure that all aspects of order are met.
• Train and assist employees in the proper handling of foods, correct use and care of equipment and in maintaining high standards of sanitation and safety.
• Reports immediately to the Director of Food and Nutrition Services and building principal any problems or accidents occurring in the kitchen.
• React to change productively and positively.
• All other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able of constantly standing throughout the work shift.
• Must constantly present appropriate appearance and personal cleanliness suited to working in close proximity to food service customer.
• Must be able to frequently work with interruptions during a work shift.
• Must be capable of frequently working with co-workers with different personalities.
• It may be necessary to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds to waist level, lift up to 40 pounds to shoulder level, and lift up to 20 pounds above head level.
• Must be capable of pushing occasionally 500 pounds requiring 35 pounds force with hands placed at 36 inches above floor.
• Must be capable of occasionally pulling 500 pounds requiring 35 pounds force with hands placed at 36 inches above the floor.
• Must be capable of occasionally carrying 40 pounds for a distance of 20 feet.
• Must be capable of occasionally repeated trunk rotation for up to 30 minutes at a time.
• Must be capable of occasionally squatting.
• Must be capable of occasionally operating basic kitchen and bakery food preparation and commercial kitchen cleaning equipment.
• May be capable of occasionally using hand tools and material handling carts requiring a grip force of up to 15 pounds to maintain control.
• Must be capable of occasionally using cleaning and sanitizing chemicals with appropriate PPE's.
• Must be capable of frequently working in elevated temperature and humidity's and low ventilation environments of a kitchen or bakery.
• Must be capable of occasionally working in low temperature environments of coolers and freezers.
• Must have physical dexterity in limbs and digits necessary to operate a motor vehicle and other food preparation and cleaning tools and equipment.

Note: The physical demands described above represent real life tasks an employee may need to perform as part of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While the frequency may be low, the above stated physical demands may be required during the course of a daily work shift. Tasks that have physical demands that exceed the above stated limits should only be performed with sufficient manpower or material handling equipment.

Terms of Employment:

• Employment based on need.
• Hours as assigned by Supervisor

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of Southeast Polk Board Policy.

Disclaimer: The statements of this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to describe or otherwise modify the duties of the job or the responsibilities of the individual. These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position. It is the policy of the Southeast Polk Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), genetic information (for employment), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact, Joseph M. Horton, Deputy Superintendent, Equal Opportunity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator, Southeast Polk District Office, 8031 NE University Ave., Pleasant Hill, IA 50327, (515)-967-4294, [e-mail]. Inquiries or grievances may also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Des Moines, IA, 50319-0201, [phone]; or the U.S. Department of Education, Region VII Office of Civil Rights, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago IL 60661.

Position Type: Full-time

Equal Opportunity Employer

All employers submitting a job opening for posting on the Teach Iowa system will not discriminate in hiring on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, marital status, or status as a veteran. A bona fide religious institution may choose to exercise the allowances in Iowa Code section 216.6.(6)d. Employers may have additional developed specific equal employment opportunity policies and procedures; please check with employers.

Job Requirements

Contact Information

• Jacklyn Kretz
• 407 8th Street SE
• Altoona , Iowa 50009
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

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