Part-Time School Kitchen Cook — Serve Students Daily

Dream; New York (NY); On-site; USD 37,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement plan

Disability benefits

Referral bonuses

Employee Discount Program

DREAM Teaching Fellowship

Job summary

DREAM is hiring Part-Time Cooks to support our in-house food service program in the South Bronx, with shifts starting at 8am and running to about 3:30pm. You will prepare and serve meals for students and staff, uphold safety and cleanliness standards, and collaborate with Brigaid kitchen leadership to sustain a high-quality program.

Compensation starts at $18.00 per hour, with opportunities for seasonal increases and growth into the DREAM Teaching Fellowship for qualified staff.

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older.
• High school diploma or equivalent, required.
• Prior experience in food service, school food service, hospitality, custodial service, or a related setting preferred; professional cooking experience is welcome but not required.
• Ability to follow English-language written and verbal instructions, recipes, portion guidance, and food safety procedures.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Brigaid kitchen staff, DREAM employees, students, families, and school leaders.
• Strong reliability, organization, cleanliness, and attention to detail.
• Commitment to providing respectful, welcoming service to a diverse student and school community.
• Ability to receive feedback, learn new procedures, and adapt to changing schedules or service needs.
• NYC Department of Health Food Protection Certificate preferred; willingness to complete required training before or shortly after starting.
• Commitment to DREAM's mission and belief that all students can succeed.

Responsibilities

• Complete food preparation and basic prep work as directed by Brigaid Kitchen Manager, including washing, cutting, portioning, and staging ingredients or prepared foods.
• Support meal assembly, plating, packaging, and distribution in accordance with menus, recipes, portion standards, and service plans.
• Serve meals to students and staff in a welcoming, respectful, and efficient manner; help maintain orderly serving and dining areas.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, allergen-awareness, and temperature-control procedures, including required HACCP practices and applicable USDA, New York State, and NYC Department of Health requirements.
• Wash dishes, sanitize equipment and surfaces, remove waste, and maintain clean, organized kitchen, storage, serving, and dining spaces throughout the shift.
• Receive direction from Brigaid kitchen leadership and communicate promptly about supply needs, service issues, student feedback, food quality concerns, or safety risks.
• Support opening and closing routines, including setting up service areas, replenishing supplies, breaking down service, and securing food and equipment.
• Support special meals, suppers, community meals, events, and other food service activities as assigned.
• Perform other related duties that support a high-quality, safe, and student-centered food service program.

Job description

DREAM is hiring Part-Time Cooks to support our in-house food service program in the South Bronx, with shifts starting at 8am and running to about 3:30pm. You will prepare and serve meals for students and staff, uphold safety and cleanliness standards, and collaborate with Brigaid kitchen leadership to sustain a high-quality program.

Compensation starts at $18.00 per hour, with opportunities for seasonal increases and growth into the DREAM Teaching Fellowship for qualified staff.