Lead Cook & Food Service Supervisor

Rockford Park District; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Rockford Park District's Atwood Center seeks a Lead Cook & Food Service Supervisor to lead daily kitchen operations, personally preparing and serving meals for large groups including residential programs, day groups, summer camps, rentals, and staff, with support from one team member.

The role emphasizes menu planning to meet USDA guidelines, high‑volume cooking, on‑time meal service, strict sanitation, health‑department compliance, and training of food service staff.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of Restaurant Management, Culinary Arts, Food Science and Nutrition, or related work experience preferred.
• Must have a Food Sanitation Certificate or obtain one within three months.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day kitchen operations and personally prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks for large groups.
• Plan weekly menus that meet USDA nutritional guidelines and emphasize quality ingredients.
• Prepare and serve food in appropriate quantities and on schedule to meet program needs.
• Make accommodations for special dietary needs and communicate with staff to meet participant needs.
• Maintain food quality, presentation, and service standards and train staff as needed.
• Order food and kitchen supplies; monitor inventory and maintain stock levels.

Skills

Restaurant management

Culinary arts

Food safety

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Food Sanitation Certificate

3–5 years related experience

Tools

Commercial kitchen equipment

Inventory management

Job description

• Location 401 South Main Street,STE 101,Rockford, IL, 61101-1321,United States
• Base Pay $18.00 / Hour
• Job Category Seasonal, Cook , Food Service
• Employee Type Seasonal

Description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Title

Lead Cook & Food Service Supervisor – Atwood

Department

Outdoor Recreation and Education Manager

Status

Seasonal

Location

Atwood Center

Reports To

Outdoor Recreation Program & Maintenance Manager

Wage

$18/hour

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Position Description

Leads daily food preparation and meal service for large groups of children, program participants, and staff at Atwood Center. This is a hands‑on, high‑volume cooking role with primary responsibility for planning and preparing meals, supported by one additional team member. The position also maintains kitchen sanitation and compliance with applicable health department requirements.

ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT VISION, MISSION AND LEADERSHIP BY VALUES

Agency Vision To be the best urban parks and recreation system in North America, as measured by national standards and the citizens we serve.

Agency Mission The Rockford Park District is in business to “help people enjoy life” by providing a quality park and recreation system.

Vision & Planning System The District aligns itself and all its resources to achieve its purpose, vision, mission, and priorities. This successfully drives the strategic plan, operational plans, and performance goals.

Policy Management & Operations System Every team member serves as an active contributor in the development of the team’s operational plan; develops job strategies and plans that support the team’s operational goals; identifies timetables for completion; plans daily work activities in an organized manner ensuring effective utilization of time and resources in the completion of job tasks.

Leadership by Values System Leadership by Values can only be achieved if all team members believe in and live by these shared values: accountability, integrity, passion, agility, relationship oriented, results driven, service oriented, respectful, and innovative. While all team members share these essential values, our culture is enriched by and welcomes the diverse supporting values of its team members.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement The Rockford Park District is committed and accountable to being a place where everyone is invited and belongs, as demonstrated by being an inviting, equitable, and inclusive environment, respectful of all people, embracing diversity, creating accessibility, and valuing all team members, partners and community members for their unique experiences and backgrounds.

RELATIONSHIPS TO RESULTS CULTURE

Definition Sustained by long-term, positive, exceptional relationships with stakeholders and team members as our hallmark of success.

ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL COMMITMENT

Definition To work together to achieve the mission, vision, and shared values of the Rockford Park District.

Connectedness Departments are truly interconnected to support the mission and vision of the Rockford Park District.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned

Cooking, Meal Planning & Service

• Lead day‑to‑day kitchen operations and personally prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and, when needed, snacks for large groups attending residential programs, day groups, summer camps, rental groups, and for staff.
• Work hands‑on as the primary cook, organizing and completing meal preparation with support from one additional team member.
  
• Plan weekly menus that provide variety, meet USDA nutritional guidelines, and emphasize quality ingredients while minimizing highly processed food options.
  
• Prepare and serve food in appropriate quantities and on schedule to meet program needs and meal times.
  
• Make reasonable accommodations for special dietary needs and communicate with staff as needed to help ensure participants’ needs are met.
  
• Maintain food quality, presentation, and service standards; work with staff and participants to support satisfaction with meals.
  
• Train and provide work direction to food service staff as needed.

Kitchen Operations & Inventory

• Order food and kitchen supplies; monitor inventory and maintain appropriate stock levels.
• Receive deliveries, verify orders for accuracy and quality, and properly store food and supplies.
• Launder food‑service linens and maintain an organized, functional kitchen.
• Contribute to and update the kitchen operating manual and follow established kitchen procedures.

Food Safety, Cleaning & Compliance

• Maintain kitchen, food preparation, service, storage, and related work areas in a clean and sanitary condition in accordance with Illinois Department of Public
• Health and Winnebago County Health Department requirements.
• Follow food safety and sanitation practices, including proper food handling, storage, temperature control, and prevention of cross‑contamination.
• Develop and follow a regular cleaning and sanitation schedule, including routine and deep cleaning of ovens, dishwashers, kitchen equipment, storage areas, pantry, refrigerators, freezers, washrooms, and toilets.
• Use cleaning chemicals and kitchen equipment safely and according to applicable instructions and procedures

Requirements

Education/Experience

3–5 years of Restaurant Management, Culinary Arts, Food Science and Nutrition, or related work experience preferred

Must have a Food Sanitation Certificate or obtain one within three months.

Critical Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Winnebago County Sanitation Certificate.
  
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
  
• Knowledge of Park District policies and procedures.
  
• Facility management skills and proficiency using facility and kitchen equipment.
  
• Current First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications.
  
• Practical knowledge of cleaning chemicals and their safe use.
  
• Ability to manage multiple kitchen tasks, prioritize work, and prepare meals on schedule in a busy environment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

Significant environmental factors may be applicable to this position, including:
Noise/Vibrations/Equipment hazard – equipment, fans
Temperature extremes/Dampness – working in kitchen
Equipment hazard – burns on stove, grill and oven
Dangerous chemicals – cleaning supplies
Significant work pace/pressure – coordinating multiple tasks, monitoring safety/travel

Summary

Leads daily food preparation and meal service for large groups of program participants at Atwood Center. This is a hands‑on cooking role with primary responsibility for planning and preparing meals, supported by one additional team member. The position also maintains kitchen sanitation and compliance with applicable health department requirements.