Assistant Cook

Position Function:

The Assistant Cook is responsible for assisting the Cook with production/preparation, food purchases, and service of meals in accordance with established United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and State guidelines and standards of nutrition, health, and sanitation. This employee will assist in the planning of nutritious meals and snacks for Head Start students, parents and teachers and perform administrative tasks in support of the food preparation process, including documentation and maintenance of records. Noise level could be moderate to loud in the center and kitchen. Employee must be able to work in close quarters.

Salary Grade:  07

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Throughout its history, Mississippi State University-Extension (MSU-ES) has demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to programs that directly impact young children and their families. In the past decade, MSU-ES has distinguished itself as Mississippi's premier infrastructural support of high-quality early childhood education.

Area of Specialization:

MSU Extension Head Start Programs - Harrison County

Anticipated Appointment Date:

May 2026. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Assistant Cook is responsible for assisting in the implementation of food services in a Head Start/Early Head Start program serving children 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Responsibilities include assisting in preparing attractive, USDA-approved meals; keeping the kitchen clean and sanitary according to Health Department ordinances; and maintaining adequate food stocks, kitchen supplies, and food service records.

Nutritious Cooking: Prepares nutritious meals that take into consideration children’s various cultures and individual nutritional needs.
• Understands and uses child nutritional needs and age-specific portion sizes to prepare
meals in accordance with USDA guidelines.
• Understands and strictly adheres to health, safety, food handling, and sanitation
requirements before, during and after meal preparation.
• Follows menu guidelines and adjusts when necessary due to availability of menu items or an individual child’s needs.

The Assistant Cook’s responsibilities chiefly fall within the following core functions, although s/he may perform other tasks as needed.

Food Services
• Prepare assigned menu and participate in family-style meals with children, volunteers, and staff.
• Work in conjunction with the Cook to monitor family-style dining in classrooms and
document as appropriate.
• Maintain food service record-keeping and reporting as directed by supervisor.
• Conduct weekly inventory of food and supplies.
• Complete weekly food and supplies order sheets and fax to Headquarters.
• Check food deliveries for accuracy and for good quality. Notify Headquarters when an item is missing or of poor quality.
• Store food and supplies properly. Date all canned, boxed and bagged foods. Use the
FIFO method of inventory.
• Monitor and maintain proper food temperatures.
• Monitor and maintain proper temperatures of all refrigerator and freezers.
• Maintain appropriate cleanliness of all kitchen materials and supplies as required.
• Maintain list and be aware of center food allergies and concerns. Prepare alternate menu items as needed for the affected children.
• Assist in delivery of food to classrooms and of dirty dishes from the classroom.

Non-Essential Duties:
• Performs any and all other duties (or functions) as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High School diploma or GED.
Experience: Two (2) years' experience in purchasing and preparing culturally diverse foods for groups.
Substitution: An equivalent combination of related education and related experience may be considered for this position.
Licensures: Valid Driver’s License and the ability to travel as required during performance of assigned tasks. Background check is required for this position. ServSafe Certfication or obtain such certification within 3 months.

Preferred