Cook - Early Childhood Education

Starting Wage Range: $18.86/hr. - $24.07/hr.

Job Summary:

Responsible for the preparation of meals and snacks for students, staff, and families. Ensures quality of food and timeliness of meals.  Supports positive and engaging food experiences for students.

Essential Functions:

• Member of a close team providing quality nutrition and food experiences to children and their families.
• Assists with menu planning and development.
• Maintains inventory of stock.  Monitors expiration dates and coordinates food procurement with the Supervisor.
• Responsible for receiving, stocking, and documenting food items and equipment.
• Documents alterations and substitutions to weekly menus, and submits working menus to Supervisor.
• Responsible for food preparation including:

• Accurately follows detailed recipes.
• Measures and mixes ingredients according to recipe to prepare soups, salads, gravies, desserts, sauces, casseroles, and other food products.
• Washes, peels, cuts, and shreds vegetables and fruits to prepare them for use
• Cuts, trims, and bones meat, chicken, and fish prior to cooking.
• Bakes, roasts, broils, and steams meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods.
• Observes and tests foods being cooked by tasting, smelling, and taking internal temperatures.
• Portions foods into serving dishes according to recipe guidelines.
• Plates foods in an appealing manner.
• Cleans and sanitizes kitchen areas and equipment.

• Responsible for tracking child allergies, ensuring food safety, and providing appropriate allergen-free alternatives.
• Assists Supervisor to coordinate, oversee, and staff catered events.
• Maintains accurate production records.
• Maintains safety and organization in food storage areas including properly handling, storing, and labeling food items.
• Maintains safety in the kitchen, including record keeping and maintaining all food safety regulations.
• Wears kitchen attire as required to promote cleanliness and safety.
• Provides support for food experiences in the classroom.
• Attends food safety, nutrition, and USDA CNP training as required.
• Attends staff meetings and trainings.
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor. 

Education, Experience, and Licenses:

• Requires a High School diploma or GED equivalent and a minimum of one (1) year of high-volume cooking experience.
• OR equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Driving Requirements:

• Must maintain a valid Oregon driver’s license or obtain one upon hire, qualify for the Tribe’s vehicle insurance, and provide proof of personal vehicle insurance.

 Qualifications, Registrations, and Certifications:

• Must have knowledge of basic principles of good childhood nutrition.
• Requires a food handler’s card or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Requires a current ServSafe Food Manager Certificate or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Requires First Aid and CPR certificate or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• CACFP Child Nutrition Professional Certification and School Nutrition Association Certification is preferred.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to Native American culture required.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Continually requires the ability to express or receive detailed information or important instructions through oral communication.
• Continually requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm. Requires repetitive movement of wrists, hands and/or fingers. Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks.
• Requires standing and/or sitting for sustained periods of time, raising objects from a lower to a higher position and/or moving objects horizontally.
• Occasionally requires lifting of up to 40 pounds.
• This position is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions.

• Supports a safe work environment by performing all duties in accordance with Tribal safety policies and procedures, and Emergency Management Plan. 

• Due to the nature of the interactions with other employees and the public we serve, employees may be required to provide documentation of, or receive, certain health vaccinations.
• May be called upon to serve as a Disaster Reserv