Title: Cook

Location: Bandon, OR    

Program: South Coast Head Start

Reports to: Area Manager

HR Contact: hr[at]orcca.us

Pay Level: Starts at $16.11 hourly, Depending on Experience

Staff Supervised: Assistant Cook (if applicable) or Volunteers

FSLA Status: Non-Exempt from Overtime             

Effective: June 2022

Position Type: Full-Time - Seasonal         

Revised: June 2022

External Applicants: Please submit an employment application, cover letter and resume on our website, www.orcca.us or to hr[at]orcca.us.         

Internal Applicants: Please submit a letter of interest and resume to hr[at]orcca.us.

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Serves as a role model for nutritious meal preparation; prepares meals for specified classes daily and complete daily paperwork; works with teaching team, parents, and children; participates in training programs as designated by supervisor.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Reason position exists is to perform these functions):

FOOD PREPARATION AND PLANNING

• Prepare food daily.
• Use planned rotation menus; follow approved and credited recipes for menu items and for cook's choice (up to twice monthly).
• Prepare nutritious and appealing meals and snacks that meet the developmental and individual needs/interests of children 0-5, following CACFP guidelines.
• Meals are planned and prepared for serving at specified meal times.
• Collaborates with parents, site teams, and Health Component Staff to ensure that individual child nutrition needs are documented, monitored, and updated regularly.
• Purchase food weekly or twice weekly using prepared shopping lists.
• Attractively present food to children and role model good eating habits.

PURCHASING/PAPERWORK

• Complete weekly inventory, ordering and receiving of food, checking for accuracy and quality.
• Purchase food weekly using prepared shopping lists and agency procurement process.
• Follow purchase order system and submit all POs to (Area Manager and) accounting weekly and no later than last day of each month.
• Document all food temperatures and refrigerator/freezer temperatures daily according to procedure.
• Ensure USDA point of service meal count is completed daily and monitored for accuracy.
• Submit meal counts, working menus, and refrigerator/freezer temperature sheets to the Health Component Staff on the last working day of month.
• Post menus by first day of each month and provide to parents one month in advance.
• Ensure that all allergy/special diet paperwork and documentation is completed.
• Ensure posting of allergies before child’s first eating experience.
• Collect Menu Planning forms after parent completion and turn them in throughout the year.
• Complete paperwork accurately and on time.

SUPERVISION

• Directly supervise Cook Assistant, as applicable.
• Assign daily/weekly Cook Assistant meal preparation and clean-up duties.
• Make recommendations for work improvements, training, and employee goals.
• Complete Cook Assistant performance appraisals, goal setting, and on-going follow-up.
• Meet with Kitchen Staff team for daily debriefs, weekly and on-going as needed for planning and preparation of a high-quality meal program.

SANITATION AND SAFETY

• Maintain sanitation based on state and program guidelines.
• Maintain a safe environment in the kitchen and food storage areas at all times.
• Label cupboards and drawers.
• Wash all dishes, utensils, and cookware following established procedures.
• Display required posters and documentation in appropriate areas.
• Follow hand washing, first aid and other health and safety routines.
• Follow all state and program guidelines while using kitchen utensils and equipment, including guidance of what to wear and safety when cooking with electric and gas equipment.

TEAMWORK

• Present mini nutrition lesson at parent meetings or present cooking classes.
• Available to meet with nutritionist and/or supervisor monthly and as needed.
• Encourage parent involvement in the kitchen and familiarize parents with sanitation practices.
• Meet with teaching team weekly and center team monthly.
• Work with teaching team to provide children with opportunities to participate in food preparation and projects.
• When possible, eat with children.
• Do, or delegate, Nutrition Education with children.
• When possible, visit with children in the classroom, building positive relationships.

TEAM EXPECTATIONS:

Teamwork - We join our individual strengths together creating teams and circles of cooperation to promote innovative thinking and bring opportunity to our community.

Partnerships - We create collaborative community partnerships to best leverage all resources available for the benefit of the community.

Diversity - We welcome and accept differences and honor our co-workers and clients by treating each person with equality, dignity, and respect.

Confidentiality & Ethics - We maintain a high standard of ethics and integrity to respect the confidentiality of clients and staff.

Physical Safety - We respond promptly to address health and safety needs or concerns for clients and staff.

Communications - We encourage timely, open-minded, respectful, and direct communication to alleviate controversies and foster a safe, productive workplace.  

Health & Sustainability - Recognizing the importance of physical, emotional, and environmental health, we seek to inspire and model healthy, sustainable living.

Public Relations - We recognize that each of us represents the entire agency in our public interactions and strive to act in a consistently professional and unbiased manner.

Professional Growth - We provide an environment supportive to personal and professional growth, cross training, and advancement.

INDIVIDUAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Attend staff meetings, center meetings, and/or other workshops/meetings as notified
• Maintain a positive attitude regarding ORCCA and all its programs along with the Head Start program and philosophy
• Model behaviors that demonstrate an understanding, acceptance and welcoming of diversity
• Maintain respect and positive communication regarding all children, families and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintain open, two-way communication with staff
• Accept suggestions and guidance from supervisor and other management staff
• Seek feedback on job performance and evaluate suggestions and guidance to incorporate in performance
• Commit to further training. Develop an individual training plan using program tools, as appropriate.
• Communicate with supervisor regarding any needed changes or concerns with work schedule.
• Adhere to agency procedures as a mandated child abuse reporter
• Regular attendance is a requirement of the position.
• Ability to perform the job with or without reasonable accommodations

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years paid experience and/or training directly related to the Position Description preferred.
• Ability to communicate and work with children and families.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative as well as ability to work with a team.
• Willingness to follow program food philosophy.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Geographic Area: Coos, Curry, Coastal Douglas Counties; Primary Worksite:
• May lift items up to 51 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Access to indoor office, in a climate-controlled environment; may not have access to sunlight. Regular activities outside in a non-climate controlled environment.
• Regular kneeling, bending, stooping and lifting.
• Regular walking and standing for prolonged periods of time.
• Occasional events outside of the office at irregular hours will be required.
• Attendance at off-site staff training events will be required.
• Driving to purchase food and supplies will be required if a function of the position.

OTHER:

• Must be enrolled in the Oregon Department of Education-Child Care Division Central Background Registry at time of hire and update it as required.
• Pediatric First Aid/CPR Certification within 30 days of hire and update it as required.
• Oregon Food Handler’s card or ServSafe® Food Safety Certification within 30 days of hire and update it as required.
• Health Appraisal within 30 days of hire and update it as required.
• A current Oregon Driver’s License is required.
• Proof of automobile liability insurance [at] $100,000/300,000 liability limits and maintain such limits.
• Reliable transportation for getting to work.
• Must be free from illegal drugs, may be subject to suspicion testing.

NOTE: The specific statements reflected in each section of this position description are not intended to be all-conclusive, but rather the basic elements and criteria considered being necessary in order to satisfactorily perform the duties associated with the position. Your employment with ORCCA is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Employer with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

Oregon Coast Community Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ORCCA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operation.

Please inform Human Resources at 541-435-7090 or hr[at]orcca.us if you require a reasonable accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of this job.