Part-Time Food Service Specialist

We are hiring in Lake County, IL.

Start Early Lake County provides high-quality care, best-in-class education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old. As a program that serves low-income families, Start Early’s research-based program helps children develop the literacy, language, early math, and social-emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning, and communication.

The Part-Time Food Service Specialist is responsible for coordinating all food service activities at the Start Early Lake County Early Learning Center, ensuring compliance with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Illinois Health Department requirements. The ideal candidate for this role will create effective organizational service systems, problem-solve on the spot, maintain accurate records in compliance with funder requirements, and ensure efficient meal service to all children at the site.

As the Food Service Specialist you will:

• ??Meal Coordination: Coordinates with the contracted caterer to ensure meals are delivered in a timely manner and in accordance with CACFP requirements. Ensures all meals are aligned with the planned menu and nutritional requirements.?
• Maintains established standards of sanitation, safety, food preparation and storage as set by local and state health departments; maintains an orderly, sanitary, and safe serving environment. Communicates with elementary school staff to coordinate access to kitchen as needed.
• Menu Modifications: Works with the caterer and Nutritionist to adjust menus to meet the needs of infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities or food allergies. Receives input from teaching staff on meal service and implements continuous quality improvement techniques to enhance site meal service.
• Delivers meals from kitchen using proper sanitation techniques to classrooms. Regularly communicates with nutritionist and Recipient Health team to receive training on serving requirements and portion sizes.
• Maintains cost control, budget and inventory systems based on CAFCP procedures including records of food production, service and attendance.
• Attends and participates in school and grantee-sponsored trainings, center pre-service and in-service trainings, and other continuing education, career and professional development opportunities.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned.

Required qualifications include:

• High School Diploma with two (2) to three (3) years of food preparation and food handling experience, two year college degree or higher preferred.
• Current Certified Food Protection Manager certificate at the time of hiring.
• Certification in child first aid and CPR (program will provide upon hire)
• Clearance of background check by Department of Children and Family Services.
• Training in Food Service and Sanitation required.
• Cooking experience for young children (preferred)
• Knowledge of Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP)
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation s