Cook

Position Title: Cook, Head Start

Employee Type: Full-Time Regular

Supervisor Title: Manager, Health & Nutrition or Center Director

Division: Head Start, U.S. Programs

Save the Children

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places – over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you’re creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.

The Role

The Cook is a critical role within in a large system of services provided to children and families. A strong food service program is important to supporting the goals of the Head Start/Early Head Start program. You will be responsible for the ordering, preparing, serving and documentation of meals and snacks served to children, including following menus and all phases of kitchen operations including inventory control.

You will contribute to the smooth operations and functioning of the kitchen in adherence to health and food safety codes and the strict cleanliness of the kitchen and food service and storage areas. You will prepare foods for infants and toddlers and/or preschool children following the USDA/CACFP standards. This role may involve reassignment to various kitchens/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.

As a front-line representative of Save the Children, Center Directors are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that he/she comes into contact with, adhering to the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaborations, Creativity and Integrity.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

*not inclusive of all role responsibilities. May be subject to change

• Prepare and serve food and assist in any food related activities as directed and menus as approved by registered dietitian/nutritionist. These duties may include the preparation of food to meet the needs of children with special needs or disabilities.
• Make accommodations for special dietary needs. Maintain accurate records, both on paper and in designated on-line systems. Maintain confidentiality regarding children and families.
• Oversee maintenance of inventory for all necessary supplies, food and equipment used for food services operations.
• Oversee the processing and storage of food and food related items as they are delivered.
• Safely operate, clean and maintain utensils and equipment used in an institutional kitchen.
• Adhere to and ensure sanitation requirements are met when storing, handling and preparing food.
• Oversee full kitchen operations and may supervise additional staff or volunteer assistance (depending on size and scope of workload).
• Implement a cost effective food service program according to federal, state and local regulations that is a financially successful operation by helping to control food and labor costs.
• Ensure that standardized recipes are followed and appropriate quantities of food are prepared and served in accordance with the CACFP meal requirements
• Prepare and serve all meals as planned, paying attention to food presentation and freshness.
• Distribute and post weekly menu.
• Deliver food to classroom and other Centers, where applicable.
• Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
• Apply clear practice and procedure in day-to-day execution of job.
• Organize self and manage time to get things done.
• Keep manager informed of important issues.
• Build effective relationships within their workgroup and with children/families
• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by manager.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma, plus at least 3 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated commitment to service to children
• Proven relevant knowledge of basic food preparation and kitchen operations, including food safety requirements
• Ability to relate sensitively with children and to work well with staff, parents and families.
• Proven commitment to team work and customer service orientation
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
• Proven teamwork orientation and organizational skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of the basics of working with preschool children and infants/toddlers
• Proven ability to follow directions and take initiative
• Demonstrated ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience having met Health Department Regulations, USDA and Head Start Standards is preferred
• Previous experience working with CACFP is preferred
• Certification in ServSafe is preferred
• Bilingual is preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area)
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
• Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels—whether internal or external—in the provision of high quality services to children and families
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; great problem solving and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established and communicated directions and take initiative
• Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.  
• Proven ability to relate sensitively with children.
• Proven ability to keep all required information strictly confidential.
• Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Additional Qualifications

• Physical Requirements related to essential functions: Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use
• Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.
• This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver’s license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Compensation

The base pay for this position is starting at $15/hour. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, experience, credentials, base salary of internal peers and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.

About Us

We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

• Time off: 10 days winter break and 5 days spring break, with additional 5 days PTO, and 11 paid holidays.
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family. Employer paid short term disability and long-term disability benefits.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled into High-Deductible Health Plan in which company matches a portion of contribution.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll into health care and dependent care options.
• Life: Agency paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits (AD&D).
• Family: Parental/adoption, fertility benefits
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• Wellness: Health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships. Certification and tuition assistance.

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.