Lead Cook

Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Portland State University’s Helen Gordon Child Development Center (HGCDC) is recruiting a Lead Cook to prepare three nutritious meals each day for children in our on-site programs, following USDA/CACFP guidelines. The Lead Cook will assist the Food Program Coordinator with ordering, menu planning, inventory, and recipe writing while managing kitchen operations.

This full-time position supports meals tailored to dietary needs and family preferences, ensuring safe, healthy, and varied menus within

Qualifications

• Two years of cooking experience in an institution or commercial firm serving complete meals.
• Associates degree in Food Service Management or related field.

Responsibilities

• Prepare three nutritious meals daily (breakfast, lunch, and snack) following USDA/CACFP guidelines.
• Assist with ordering food and kitchen supplies, inventory, and menu planning.
• Write recipes and organize a full-service kitchen; delegate daily kitchen work and oversee meal preparation and cleanup.
• Ensure meals accommodate allergies and family preferences.

Skills

Cooking

Food Safety

Menu Planning

Education

Associates degree in Food Service Management, Foods and Hospitality Service, or a directly-related field

Job description

Position Announcement

Position Details

Proposed Start Date 09/01/2026 Classification Title Cook 2 Working Title Lead Cook Department 260401 - CDC Helen Gordon Office Position Number D99943 Representation OP - SEIU/OPEU Local 503 Position FTE 1.0 End date, if applicable

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

Helen Gordon Child Development Center (HGCDC) and Helen Gordon Infant/Toddler Center (HGITC) are full-day children’s programs for Portland State University, serving children aged six weeks to five years. Located on the PSU campus in downtown Portland, the Centers provide model early childhood programs for the children of Portland State University students, faculty and staff, and the Portland community. The Centers are a laboratory for students and faculty participating in observation, practice and research activities in Early Childhood Education, Child, Youth and Family Studies, psychology, and related fields. HGCDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Lead Cook assists the Food Program Coordinator in the responsibility of preparing three nutritious meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack) for the children of the program. Following USDA/CACFP guidelines; for ordering food and kitchen supplies; for menu planning; inventory; for writing recipes; and for organizing and maintaining a full-service kitchen at an assigned HGCDC program. The Lead Cook assists the Food Program Coordinator in delegating and overseeing the daily work of the kitchen for meal preparation and clean up and the responsibility for ensuring that meals are individualized as needed to accommodate food allergies and family preferences.

Minimum Qualifications From Classification

• Two years of cooking experience in an institution or commercial firm serving complete meals; OR
• An Associates degree in Food Service Management, Foods and Hospitality Service, or a directly-related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with young children.
• Prior experience with childcare, school, or institutional food service.
• Knowledge of USDA/CACFP program guidelines.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adheres to all PSU policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, schedule to be determined

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

The starting salary rate for this position will be between $19.36 and $21.91 per hour. The starting salary may be negotiable above this range, however it will be dependent upon the knowledge, experience, skills and abilities of the chosen candidate, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

PSU’s excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon Public Universities

Background Check Required

Yes

Search Details

Posting Close Date Application screening begins 08/10/2026

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Professional References
• Work Sample

Optional Documents