Cook

THE SALVATION ARMY

North and Central Illinois Division – Child Care

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:                    Cook

LOCATION/DEPT:                   Child Care

REPORTS TO:                         Site Director

FLSA CATEGORY:                  Non-Exempt

STATUS TYPE:                        Regular Full Time

OUTCOMES  

Implements the nutrition component of the Head Start program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

1. Food Preparation
2. Prepares and serves nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.
   1. Introduces new foods on a regular basis.
   2. Demonstrates knowledge of nutritional needs of children through serving food from different food groups.
3. Serves food in a manner appropriate for young children.
   1. Serves meals in family style service with one serving bowl of each food for each table of children.
   2. Provides serving utensils appropriate for children.
4. Serves food in child size portions to meet the child’s nutritional needs.
5. Serves food in a way which is manageable, such as apples in slices rather than a whole or half apple.
6. Maintains food at temperatures meeting food sanitation standards, keeping daily log of temperatures.
7. Food Ordering
   1. Orders food for program.
   2. Orders food in a timely manner.
   3. Assists in insuring that orders stay within food budget guidelines.
8. Ensures that food ordered is approved by the Illinois Board of Education Child Care Food Program.
9. Grocery shops.
10. Record Keeping
    1. Keeps records and maintains forms as needed such as:
       1. #362
       2. Menus
11. Requests supplies in a timely manner.
12. Safety and Health
    1. Demonstrates safe practices
    2. Reinforces safety rules with volunteers
    3. Labels equipment and products
    4. Maintains cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen, by establishing & implementing regular cleaning schedules of stove, refrigerator, storage and other designated areas.
    5. Maintains proper temperature when storing foods.
    6. Regularly records temperature of refrigerator and dishwasher.
13. Program Coordination with Other Components
    1. Provides food substitutions for children with food allergies or religious food restrictions.
    2. Implements bi-weekly Food Experiences in the classroom with children and makes materials and equipment available to teaching staff for food experiences.
    3. Works with director and social service worker when refreshments are planned for meetings.
    4. Contributes to every issue of the newsletter.
    5. Assumes responsibility for and leads nutrition committee. 
14. Program Support
    1. Participates on field trips.
    2. Spends time in the classroom with children.
    3. May provide office support, as time allows in activities such as answering phones, filing, etc.
    4. Sets up refreshments for Child Care/ Head Start Program functions conducted at the site, ie. CPR training, Education Component Cluster Workshops, etc.
    5. Supervises kitchen volunteers.
15. Professionalism
    1. Completes all trainings and courses required and/or recommended by the Chicago Department of Human Services and The Salvation Army Child Care Program.
    2. Maintains a professional attitude.
    3. Adheres to personnel policies.
    4. Supports and enforces program regulations.
16. Assumes and thoroughly completes all duties in a professional and timely manner.
    1. Accepts responsibility willingly.
    2. Demonstrates enthusiasm for the program.
    3. Responds objectively to change.
17. Responds in a positive manner to constructive suggestions.
18. Respects confidentiality of parents, children, and other staff members.
19. Attends in-service training.
20. All other duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS  

This individual reports to the Site Director.

In contacts related to this position’s duties, this individual acts as a representative of the Army and its mission.

This position supervises kitchen volunteers.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved, as well as the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE  

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Has or is willing to obtain a Sanitation Certification and meet Board of Health requirements by maintaining certification through renewal.
• Must have at least 3 years’ experience working with food in sanitized areas.
• Must be 21 years olds

COMPETENCIES 

• Must have knowledge and experience of quantity food preparation and food preparation for pre-school children.
• An ability to follow written instructions.
• Good organizational skills and have the ability to plan nutritional meals for at least 80 people.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to use initiative and be a self starter.
• An attention to detail.
• Supportive of the mission of The Salvation Army.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is required to do light to moderate physical work and must be able to lift up to 25lbs on a daily basis and up to 50lbs on an occasional basis.
• In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard kitchen equipment.
• The work environment for this position includes an office and kitchen environment with a low to moderate noise level.