JOB TITLE: Cook
PAY GRADE: NE5
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Head Start
REPORTS TO: Head Cook
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Plans, organizes and prepares healthy meals and snacks for the children and staff in the Head Start Program.
This position description may not include all of the listed duties, nor do all of the listed examples include all tasks which may be found or assigned to this position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Prepares meals for the program participants.
Manages food, non-food products, and kitchen equipment to meet program objectives.
Prepares menus per recipe received from the Nutrition Coordinator.
Ensures prepared hot food meets temperature standards and the temperature is maintained, and that hot foods are served timely.
Keeps a record file of all recipes and menus.
Enforces proper food handling procedures, including wearing required hair netting, wearing of serving gloves, and maintaining clean hands.
Monitors good hygiene practices including sick employees are not allowed around food, and that employees wash hands after personal breaks or handling meats, etc.
Keeps accurate records of participant names and meals served.
Ensures planned meals are prepared appropriately to keep food waste to a minimum and that meals are served in accordance with the recommended daily allowance.
Manages storage of food and non-food products in order to meet daily menu requirements.
Ensures frozen products required for the next daily meal are thawed properly.
Reviews subsequent daily menu for advance preparations for the next day’s planned kitchen workload.
Manages each refrigerator, freezer, and pantry for meat, poultry fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and dairy product storage.
Ensures storage equipment and kitchen areas are cleaned and sanitized at scheduled frequencies; includes daily cleaning of kitchen equipment used and proper storage.
Attends in service trainings.
Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
N/A
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma or GED one year cooking experience. Food handlers Card. CPR and First Aid Certification. Must be able to pass drug test and background check, with NO prior convictions of any felonies. Taos Pueblo reserves the right to exercise preference in hiring for qualified Tribal members/Indians in connection with all positions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
Knowledge of how to prepare well-balanced and nutritious meals.
Knowledge of proper and safe food handling, storage, and disposal requirements.
Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
Skill in preparing food for groups of people.
Skill in handling sharp knives, and other cutting utensils.
Skill in cooking and trying creative ways of preparing nutritious meals including traditional meals.
Ability to work with the children.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels. Ability to safely operate various cooking equipment and kitchen appliances.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance. The employee occasionally is required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is generally performed in a childcare/school setting with a moderate noise level where employee may be exposed to unpleasant odors, hazardous material and infectious disease and kitchen area with exposure to heat, fumes and steam. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.
