Job details

Early Learning Center Cook

JOB SUMMARY:

The Early Learning Center Cook is responsible for the purchase, preparation, cooking and serving of food, inspection, cleaning and maintenance of the kitchen and/or dining area and the completion of required paperwork. Meals will be prepared for and serviced to the Early Learning Center children and staff. Meals to be prepared are; breakfast, lunch and snack. Must be able to read, speak and write with proficiency in the English language. This is a Safety Sensitive position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Plan, formulate, coordinate and implement appropriate kitchen management systems in accordance with USDA ( United States Department of Agriculture), Healthy Department, Fire Marshall, Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Department of Education, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Head Start Performance Standards.
Implement the cycle menu in accordance with LIFT Head Start/Early Head Start/Early Learning Center policies and procedures, and established practices; budget requirements; Head Start Performance Standards, and the guidelines established by the CACFP.
Review menus for needed supplies and purchase, inventory, and properly store food. Purchase food needed for meals and snacks service on site and for field trips.
Maintain all CACFP paperwork. Paperwork includes menu production records, monthly adjustment sheets, food transport records, inventories, cycle menu, meal count worksheets, freezer logs and food purchase receipts. Compile monthly reports accurately. Turn in all monthly CACFP documentation on time.
Post and maintain all required CACFP public notices.
Refer child nutrition concerns to the appropriate agency staff member.
Clean and maintain kitchen, food service utensils, equipment, and food storage areas to standards mandated by the Oklahoma Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing, the Healthy Department, and best practices with regards to food safety and sanitation.
Smoking is not allowed on LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc. property. Additionally, no vulgar language is allowed. Cell phone use will be limited to emergency use only.
Must be able to sit and eat with children at mealtimes sharing the same menu. A physician's statement must be obtained for special dietary needs. Pleasant child-oriented conversation should take place during mealtimes. No sodas, tea or other drinks other than water is allowed to be consumed while children are present.
Maintain an environment that is tolerant and respectful of child and family cultures, values and differences. Assist Non-English-speaking families.
Provide all information requested for program documentation in a timely manner.
Assist other staff with projects as requested. Perform other duties as assigned and reasonably within scope of duties listed above.
Report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance. Perform all duties in a timely and professional manner. Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.
Keep all assigned records accurate and current as appropriate. Keep all records and family information confidential.
Continue professional growth by participating in ECE (Early Childhood Education) classes, training programs, workshops, conferences, as the budget allows. Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-service training, parent meetings and other training, meeting or workshops as deemed necessary by the Early Learning Center Program Director or the Executive Director.
Become knowledgeable and maintain an understanding and support the philosophies, theories and the mission of Early Learning Center and LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc.
Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information.
The listed job functions, duties and responsibilities do not necessarily include all activities that the incumbent may perform. Nothing herein restricts management' s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Perform duties as may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The Early Learning Center Cook reports directly to the Center Director and exercises no supervision over other employees.

OUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or GED.
Valid Food Handlers Card.
Knowledge of proper food storage, preparation and cooking, recipe usage, standards weights and measures, work place safety practices.
Basic cooking skills plus experience in food service and volume meal preparation is beneficial. Must be able to read and follow a recipe and a cycle menu.
Possess superior cleaning and organization skills.
Basic math skills and use of a calculator.
Must have reliable transportation, valid driver's license and auto insurance.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

Must demonstrate ability to work effectively with people; possess excellent problem solving, planning and organizational skills. Be patient, able to resolve conflicts, be gentle, kind, creative, and resourceful. Possess detail and multi-task orientation with a strong desire to succeed and be able to cope well with stress.
Constantly must be able to sit/stand in a stationary position 50% of the time; stoop, bend, walk, talk, hear, use hands to grip, type, reach with hands and arms, occasionally required to stand or walk on uneven surfaces, and climb stairs. Two (2) to four (4) hours per day spent in strenuous activity, lifting 30 pounds or more six (6) to eight (8) hours per day. Perform repetitive motion duties such as sweeping, mopping, washing dishes, stirring food, wiping tables, and other cleaning duties.
Frequently must be able to move about inside the center to access classroom and/or office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Frequently must operate a computer and other office productive machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
Frequently must communicate with staff and others who have inquiries about the program. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Occasionally must move/carry items weighing up to 30 pounds or more.
Frequently must be able to lift at least 30-40 pounds and lift arms above shoulders.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Occasionally must spend time daily sitting on the floor with children.
Work in an enclosed facility, classroom and office environment; floors may be vinyl tile or carpeted. May come in contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion.

I have read and understand the job description listed above. My questions have been answered. I am fully qualified for this position and can perform the duties as described. I understand that this is not an exhaustive list of all my duties and responsibilities. I understand that Management (and no other) reserves the right to revise this job description as deemed necessary.

LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer. The functions, qualifications, requirements, and physical demands listed in this job description represent the essential functions of the job, which the employee must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. As an equal opportunity provider and employer, LCAA will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their job duties/functions. The listed job functions, duties and responsibilities do not necessarily include all activities that the employee may perform. Nothing herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and its amendments.