WEFT Lead Cook

White Earth Nation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

White Earth Nation is seeking a WEFT Lead Cook to oversee lead food preparation and service, ensuring nutritionally balanced meals for residents and staff at Strawberry Lake.

The role requires supervising kitchen staff, providing training, and ensuring adherence to sanitation codes and HIPAA guidelines. Experience in public institutions and SERV Safe certification are preferred, with travel between sites as needed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience cooking in a public institution.
• SERV Safe Certification or willing to obtain within one upon hire.
• Must be over 18 and able to carry out duties.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen preparation and staff scheduling under supervision of Operations Manager.
• Prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals for clients and staff.
• Provide orientation, mentoring, and on‑the‑job training for staff.
• Lead by example and interact positively with clients and agency staff.
• Prepare diets as prescribed by physicians or prenatal care providers when ordered.
• Plan inventory needs and order stock according to menu and inventory levels.

Skills

Nutritional meal planning

Staff supervision

Staff training

Food safety

Kitchen equipment operation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Announcement
Position: WEFT Lead Cook Open: 08-24-26
Location: Strawberry Lake Close: 08-28-26
Pay: $20.42/hr. Benefits: Full Status: Full time

The White Earth Reservation Tribal Council is currently seeking a qualified candidate to be responsible for the lead delivery of food preparation and food service duties in order to provide nutritional meals that meet program Guidelines.

Position Outcomes:

• Responsible for the kitchen preparation & scheduling of the staff under the supervision and direction of the Operations Manager.
• Prepare and serve meals to clients and staff to ensure clients receive nutritionally balanced meals.
• Provides new staff orientation, mentoring, and on the job training for food service staff.
• Serve as a positive leader and role model in interacting with clients and other agency staff.
• Provides a balanced diet consisting of foods and beverages that are palatable, of adequate quantity and variety, and prepared and served at appropriate temperatures to protect residents from foodborne illnesses and conserve nutritional value.
• Provides residents with a diet medically prescribed, if ordered by a resident’s physician or, in the case of a pregnant resident, recommended or ordered by a prenatal care provider.
• Provides a diet that does not conflict with the residents’ religious or cultural dietary regiment.
• Plans food inventory needs and orders stock as inventory/menu indicates.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities required:

• Knowledge of foods and their nutritional value.
• Knowledge of tribal, state and federal sanitation codes.
• Knowledge of federal laws including Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Skill in cooking nutritious and attractive meals for clients.
• Skilled in the operation of food service equipment.
• Ability to read menus and estimate amount of food required.
• Ability to organize work effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to lift moderately heavy containers of food and/or equipment.
• Knowledge of techniques and equipment for food preparation including storage and handling requirements.

Qualifications include:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of o (2) years’ experience cooking in a public institution.
• SERV Safe Certification or willing to obtain within one upon hire.
• Must be over the age of (18), responsible, mature, healthy adult who is able to carry out the Oshki Manidoo Center duties as assigned.
• Prefer a valid driver’s license and insurance for travel between sites and other business-related destinations.
• Must pass background check.
• Must pass drug screen at hire and throughout employment according to White Earth HR policy.