Kitchen Assistant

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Kitchen Assistant is responsible for supporting the Kitchen Manager in all areas of meal preparation, presentation cleanliness and sanitation. The Kitchen Assistant, under the supervision of the Kitchen Manager will ensure children are served nutritious, good tasting and appealing meals and snacks. Kitchen Assistant is responsible for daily food preparation and using sanitary methods that maintain high nutrient levels.  Must help ensure kitchen cleanliness, dishwashing and overall sanitation of the kitchen in compliance with health and safety standards.

All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients’ cultural and socio-economic characteristics, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeam’s standards of excellence at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS                                                           

• Prepare meals and snacks in such a way that a minimum of nutrients are lost from foods, that ensure foods taste good and look appealing, and that there are sufficient amounts of foods for children to have as many servings as they need. .
• Maintain established standards of sanitation, safety and food preparation and storage as set by the local and state health departments; maintain an orderly, sanitary, and safe kitchen.
• Deliver foods from the kitchen to the classrooms ready to be served as suitable for the children's age and development.
• Share duties with the other kitchen staff and ECS staff for efficient functioning of food service program.
• Assist teachers with developing food activities for the children in the classroom.
• Cooperate with and participate in nutrition education activities for staff, parents and children.
• Wash dishes, pots, pans and utensils using approved sanitation methods.
• Complete routine maintenance of kitchen equipment, including weekly deep cleaning.
• Ensure proper storage of supplies received from vendors used to operate the kitchen and prepare meals.
• Participate in all emergency drills and environmental safety activities.
• Participate in staff meetings and other meetings as required.
• Travel locally as required in performance of responsibilities.
• Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor or Executive Team.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS            

Minimally Required

Preferred

Education

Course work and training in food preparation, nutrition and/or dietetics.

Formal education / training in food preparation, nutrition and/or dietetics

Certification

Food Handler’s Certificate, or obtain within 30 days of employment.

Current Food Handler’s Certificate

Experience

Experience in food preparation, nutrition, and/or dietetics.

Experience in quantity food preparation, equipment, and purchasing.

Experience in a large-scale food production operation

Baking experience

Experience in child care center and completion of CACFP training

Skills

Knowledge

Abilities

Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families

Willingness to work with high-risk, low income communities.

Knowledge of quantity food preparation, equipment, and purchasing

Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity and respect for our internal, external and community members.

Basic knowledge of computer operations and applications.

Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Exercise independent judgment.

Process, protect and e