Head Cook

Position is responsible for the daily preparation and seasoning of foods and serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks according to recipes using a variety of kitchen utensils and equipment; washes dishes and all utensils used in the preparation of foods. Maintain inventory of kitchen equipment and food. Prepare reports required by funding source, including posting of menus, and meal participation records. Purchase food and related supplies for the program.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Inspire Development Centers provides Early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to more than 4000 children, in center based and home based setting, at more than 25 Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout the State of Washington. Inspire provides services under various federal and state funded programs with differing regulations and stipulations, which must be coordinated and adhered to, including, but not limited to: Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Early Head Start (EHS). The agency is required to meet an annual quota of non-federal share (in-kind) funds. A large majority of children’s first language is Spanish.

Supervisory and Other Relationships

Head Cook reports to the Center Manager; coordinates the Cook’s activities, and works closely with Nutritionists Staff, Core Team, and Center Staff with and around children.

Examples of Essential Duties and Accountabilities

The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

1. Prepares nourishing, appetizing, attractive and well-balanced meals as required by USDA/CACFP and Head Start/ECEAP standards and WAC’s. Reviews all menu changes with Center Nurse, Health Assistant and/or Center Manager and seeks approval by same prior to implementation.
2. Maintains all safety and sanitation standards in preparing, storing, and serving of all foods, according with licensing requirements and agency procedures.
3. Posts required health and food regulations and maintains required USDA daily meal planning records.
4. Maintains current food inventory, date items and rotates before placing on shelves when received from vendor. Requests all food items necessary for nutritious meal preparation in conjunction with Center Manager.
5. Properly cleans/disinfects kitchen, cooking equipment, utensils, pots, dishes, refrigerators, ranges, and freezers used in the preparation, and serving of meals on a daily basis.
6. Participates as requested in special center activities, such as those with and for parents, (parent meetings, family activities, policy council meetings), which may require attendance in the evenings or weekends. Coordinates with Teachers, to plan nutrition related classroom activities.
7. Provides adequate training to cook(s). Shows interest in furthering professional growth by attending staff meetings, workshops, trainings, and seminars.
8. Maintains confidentiality of program and client/participants related information at all times.
9. Perform all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Incumbents are required to demonstrate knowledge and abilities in these areas:

• Experience in planning meals;
• Experience in policy and procedure development;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;
• Experience in cooking and risk management;
• Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems;
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English and/or Spanish to fulfill the responsibilities of this position;
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines;
• Ability to gather data for reports;
• Strong customer service focus;
• Ability to work with culturally diverse population; and
• Accurate documentation and recordkeeping skills.

These skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education, training and experience which would include at least one (1) year paid or volunteers institutional cooking experience. The combination of education and experience will provide the competence and skills to perform the work of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
• English/Spanish bi-lingual fluency.
• Two (2) years work experience.
• Knowledge of computer - data entry.
• Have working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, HHS regulations, federal, state, and local child development requirements.

Position Requirements

Incumbents are required to have the following:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;

• Valid Washington State driver’s license;
• Must pass initial and periodic criminal and background check;
• Must pass initial and periodic Department of Early Learning (DEL) background check;
• Must pass initial and periodic employee health clearance; (present it within forty-five (45) days of employment);
• Current Food Handler card; (obtain the certification before employment);
• Current First Aid / CPR cards, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Subject to initial and periodic TB screen;
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV / AIDS) training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Blood Borne Pathogen training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);
• Subject to random drug screen;
• Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement; and
• Must complete and sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement on an annual basis.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a commercial kitchen setting at the Child Development Center. Time is spent cooking, serving meals, standing and walking around the area, providing a safe and healthy eating environment.
The demands and abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, balance, stoop, catch, move to music, and run occurrence is frequent;
• Ability to communicate in person, or via telephone or video conference, occurrence is occasional;
• Ability to lift and/ or move up to forty (40) pounds, occurrence is frequent;
• Ability to restrain child occurrence is occasional;
• Ability to push/pull, kneel, bend taste or smell occurrence is frequent;
• Ability to travel, locally and statewide, occurrence is occasional;
• Ability to write and keyboard, occurrence is occasional;
• Ability to read, occurrence is frequent;
• Ability to use hands to finger, handle, feel or move objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, occurrence is frequent;
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, occurrence is frequent;
• Exposed to seasonal weather elements, i.e., hot, dry, cold, rain, wind occurrence is frequent;
• Handles cleaning/sterilizing agents occurrence is frequently;
• Ability to adjust to noise level that is usually quiet to moderate; and
• Incumbent frequently exposed to moderate temperature generally encountered in a controlled environment.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this position can be found at https://inspirecenters.org/careers/. To learn more, click on the following link: https://youtu.be/MnlRqkvydRw