The Dalles Cook

DescriptionThe Cook prepares and serves nutritious meals and snacks in accordance with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and agency standards. This position is responsible for meal preparation, food sanitation and safety, portioning, and supporting positive mealtime experiences for children. The Cook works closely with program staff, families, and other team members to promote healthy eating habits, ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and create safe, developmentally appropriate meal service experiences for children enrolled in Mid-Columbia Children's Council (MCCC).Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe essential functions of this job include, but are not limited to:PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD1. Prepare meals according to approved recipes and the meal pattern to ensure compliance with MCCC, USDA, and CACFP guidelines, maintaining consistency, quality, and portion standards.2. Follow proper food preparation and handling practices to maintain safety, sanitation, and overall food quality.3. Follow the written menu, making substitutions as needed due to supply or availability issues, and accurately document all changes to ensure menus remain accessible and compliance records are complete. Ensure menus remain accessible and available to families.4. Accommodate individual dietary needs, including infants, toddlers, children with allergies, disabilities, or required food substitutions, ensuring each child receives food that is safe and appropriate.5. Plan and manage food purchasing and ordering to maintain adequate inventory of ingredients and supplies in accordance with the written menu and meal schedule.6. Prepare and serve meals with correct portions, coordinating production with the meal schedule to ensure meals and snacks are served on time, all required components are provided, and additional servings are available as needed.7. Assist with classroom meal service as needed, including participating in family-style meal service, setting up and cleaning tables, chairs, and floors, depending on center requirements.8. Provide safe drinking water for children throughout all program hours.9. Prepare meals or snacks for special events, such as parent meetings, classroom celebrations, or other agency activities, maintaining the same quality and safety standards as regular meal service.10. Complete and maintain required meal service compliance documentation to ensure accurate records of food preparation, purchases, and program compliance.SANITATION, MAINTENANCE, AND RECORDKEEPING11. Handle and store food safely by discarding leftovers that have left the kitchen, properly storing unused food, labeling and dating prepared or opened packaged foods, and maintaining safe storage temperatures at all times.12. Clean and maintain kitchen areas and equipment, including washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, and keeping appliances in proper working order. Submit all required logs and checklists at the end of each month and report any equipment needing repair.13. Monitor and maintain inventory of food, paper products, cleaning supplies, and other kitchen necessities to ensure adequate availability and continuity of service.14. Properly store purchased items according to food safety regulations, including refrigeration, freezing, or dry storage.OTHER15. Promote the well-being and development of children and families by following program goals, principles, and best practices in all aspects of your work.16. Maintain professional conduct and integrity by modeling respectful, ethical, and responsible behavior consistent with agency standards.17. Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures, including safety, health, and program requirements relevant to your role.18. Act as a mandatory reporter by promptly recognizing and reporting any suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with agency policies and state law.19. Collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues, families, and community partners to support agency goals and provide high-quality services.20. Use ongoing monitoring, documentation, and feedback to evaluate and improve performance, ensuring accountability and continuous quality improvement.21. Participate in professional development to maintain and enhance skills, knowledge, and competencies in alignment with agency goals and standards.22. Act as a positive representative of the agency in all interactions with children, families, staff, and the community.23. Performs all other work-related duties as assigned.Minimum QualificationsRequired• High school diploma or equivalent.• Two to three years of experience in food service or preparation.• Sufficient English proficiency to comprehend both oral and written directions.Preferred• Two to three years of experience in CACFP or government food programs.• Valid driver's license, proof of insurability, and cleared state driving record check.Physical Demands & Work EnvironmentThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange information with others. They must be able to observe and assess their surroundings and detect any potential dangers or hazards. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is required to operate office productivity machinery and may be required to operate a vehicle. This position requires the employee to move about both inside and outdoors and also to remain in a stationary position for some time. They may need to position themselves in various postures and ascend/descend ramps, ladders and/or stairs. The employee must be able to move up to 40 lbs. Below is a more detailed list of physical demands and requirements for this position. While the list below is not all inclusive, it does provide an accurate representation of what is expected in this position.PHYSICAL DEMANDSFREQUENCYN: NeverS: Seldom/RarelyO: OccasionallyF: FrequentlyC: ContinuouslyACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONNSOFC% of TimeStationary PositionX75Must be able to remain in a stationary position for at least 75% of the time.The percentage of these demands must add up to 100% using the frequency scaleMove, TraverseX25Must be able to move/traverse about both indoors and/or outdoors for at least 25% of the time.Moving, Positioning:Floor-WaistX15-20 lbs. Moving, transporting objects.Moving, Positioning:Waist-ShoulderX15-20 lbs. Moving, transporting objects.Moving, Positioning:Shoulder-OverheadX10 lbs. Accessing storage cupboards.TransportingX15-20 lbs. Transporting objects.Pushing/PullingX10 lbs. force. Arranging office furniture.Positioning SelfXCleaning kitchen space. Ex: around/on top of/underneath kitchen equipment.Twisting TrunkXCleaning, moving around kitchen space.Twisting NeckXCleaning, moving around kitchen space.Cervical Forward Flexion (Bending Neck)XWorking in kitchen space.Operational ActivitiesXOperates a vehicle, typing.Reaching ForwardingXCompleting kitchen tasks.Reaching Below Waist LevelXCompleting kitchen tasks.Reaching Above ShoulderXUsing storage cabinets.Vibratory TasksXUse of machinery or equipment.Communication, Information ExchangeXTalking with and listening to children and coworkers.Ascension/DescensionXAccessing storage cabinets.ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONSFREQUENCYNSOFCExposure to WeatherXExtreme ColdXExtreme HotXWet and/or HumidityXProximity to Moving Mechanical PartsXExposure to ExplosivesXExtreme Noise IntensityXConfined SpacesXExposed HeightsXExposure to ElectricityXExposure to Toxic/Caustic ChemicalsXExposure to RadiationXFrequency GuidelinesN (Never): 0% of the timeNeverS (Seldom/Rarely): 1-10% of the timeMaximum of 1 activity or exposure per hourO (Occasionally): 11-33% of the timeMaximum of 1 activity or exposure per 3 minutesF (Frequently): 34-66%Maximum of 21-40 activities or exposure per hourC (Continuously): 67%+ of the timeMaximum of 1 activity or exposure per minuteNoteThis job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.Equal Opportunity EmployerIn accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:(1) mail:U.S. Department of AgricultureOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights1400 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, D.C. 20250-9410; or(2) fax:(202) 690-7442; or(3) email:program.intake@usda.gov