Cook/Kitchen Staff

JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Child Care Center Kitchen Staff Reports To: Child Care Center Director Date Reviewed & Revised: 01/16/2025 Our mission at High Hopes Child Care Center is to serve families by delivering exceptional, comprehensive, and inclusive child care services in the communities in which we operate. General Summary: Responsible for preparation and delivery of daily snacks and meals throughout the child care facility. The person in this position would be responsible for meal preparation in accordance with all standard safety protocols and DHHS regulations. The individual selected for this role will also assist in meal planning and grocery list preparation, ensuring meals meet nutritional requirements and align with state regulations. Additionally, this individual is responsible for checking/recording food temperatures, completing quality control inspections, and checking/recording food temperatures prior to serving. This position involves kitchen clean-up duties, including dishwashing, storing leftovers, removing trash, vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping. Additional responsibilities include cleaning bathrooms, maintaining cleanliness in other areas of the center (e.g., vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, trash removal), and completing other center-wide cleaning tasks as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: None. Essential Job Functions: Plan balanced meals and snacks that meet DHHS nutrition requirements. Prepare and maintain a grocery list for needed supplies based on meal planning and inventory. Prepare breakfast, lunch, morning, and afternoon snacks for all classrooms. Serve meals to each classroom on time at the appropriate temperature. Work with staff to collect meal numbers before food preparation of each meal. Monitor daily volumes and suggest adjustments to the center order to ensure fiscal responsibility and minimal food waste. Maintain daily production reports. Maintain a clean and organized kitchen, including all food storage areas: Ensure all thermometers are working properly. Check all food items for expiration dates. Wash and sanitize all dishes. Clean the entire kitchen and appliances throughout the day. Remove trash and recyclables daily. Vacuum, sweep, clean bathrooms, and handle other cleaning duties as assigned. Remove dirty dishes and food waste from classrooms following each snack/meal service. Perform other duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Enthusiastic personality that engages preschool children. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with adults and children. Ability to collaborate and communicate with teachers, support staff, parents, and students positively and constructively. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to pass required state and federal background checks. Willingness to submit to drug testing as requested by the employer. Must meet all required training, certifications, and CE requirements for the role within the timeframes specified by DHHS. Core Competencies: Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills. Exhibit solid organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills. Maintain a positive and professional appearance, attitude, and work ethic at all times. Love working with children and have a strong desire to serve others. Be of strong moral character (references may be required). Education and Experience: Qualified candidates must be at least 18 years of age and be of good moral character. Physical Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age. Prolonged periods standing and walking throughout the day (90-95%). Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time. Must be able to sit and stand on the floor throughout the day and bend, kneel, or squat as needed. Note: Reliable, consistent attendance is a requirement and an essential function of the position. Employees are expected to be punctual and dependable in order to meet the needs of the business. Attendance and responsibility are important factors in evaluating individual performance and continued employment. An employee’s pattern of attendance must not interfere with the key essential functions of the position. Job Types: Full-time, Part-time Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour Benefits: Vision/Dental insurance Life Insurance Paid Holidays Paid time off Short Term Disability Legal Forms Assistance Employee Assistance Program Financial Wellness Benefit Work Location: In person Job Type: Full-time Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour Work Location: In person