Cook Assistant

Description:

Job Overview

This position must be able to provide opportunities for the development of positive attitudes toward healthy foods, decision-making, sharing, communicating with others, and for the development of muscle control and eye-hand coordination. As the Cook Assistant, he/she will provide nutritious meals and snacks for enrolled children and those who attend special events. The food prepared should emphasize appropriate eating patterns and mealtime behavior when children observe adult behavior at family style meals.

Job Responsibilities

• Promotes and models the organization’s Core Values.
• Prepares meals and snacks for children enrolled.
• Ensures a small amount of one new food is offered along with a meal of familiar foods.
• Ensures food is not used as punishment or reward, and each child is encouraged, but not forced, to eat or taste his or her food.
• Allows sufficient time for each child to eat.
• Encourages all staff, toddlers and preschool children assigned to the classroom to eat family style (when appropriate) and share the same menu to the extent possible.
• Works with all staff to set good examples by demonstrating a positive attitude toward all foods prepared and served.
• Ensures and follows registered dietitian substitutes of meals for children with special medical diets.
• Works in conjunction with cook, child nutrition specialist or a registered dietitian, to help plan meals for children with special diets.
• Works with cooks and home visitors to assist parents in developing food preparation techniques and increase their knowledge about nutrition-related skills - taking into account their child’s nutritional needs.
• Knowledgeable in USDA/HHS Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the USDA Food Guide Pyramid and Nutrition Facts Labels, on commercially prepared foods.
• Assists cooks with serving nutritious food at parent activities.
• Assist cook of compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws on food safety and sanitation laws are posted including those related to storage, preparation and service of food and the health of the food handlers.
• Maintains kitchen safety and health standards according to licensing standards, USDA Regulations, and Health Department.
• Ensures cleaning materials, detergents, aerosol cans, pesticides, and chemicals used in the daily maintenance of kitchen are properly stored in their original labeled containers, entirely separated from food products.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Education

Required:

• A high school diploma or GED.
• Current Food Handler certification.
• Food Manager Certification (depending on location) or ability to obtain one within 30 days from the date of hire.

Work Experience

Preferred:

• At least six (6) months working in a related field and familiar with Safety Rules and Regulations.

Additional Skills Required

• First Aid and CPR training.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office software.
• Spanish fluency helpful, but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including parents and staff.
• Emotional maturity.
• Highly resourceful team player, with the ability to be extremely effective independently with the capability of managing numerous simultaneous projects.
• Forward-looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
• Strong analytical, presentation, verbal and written communication, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to travel to various training sessions.
• Must have dependable transportation daily, valid driver’s license, a clean driving record (subject to annual MVR check and policy), current auto liability insurance and be bondable by AVANCE, San Antonio, Inc.

Disclaimer(s)

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Nothing in this job description forms or is intended to form a contract of employment. Neither shall the content in this job description be interpreted to conflict with, or to eliminate or modify in any way, the “at will” employment status of AVANCE San Antonio employees. Employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Travel

0-10% annually on average, mostly local; to assist other centers upon program needs.

Equipment

Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, resource materials and equipment, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to the position.

Working Conditions

Mental and Physical Demands

Maintain emotional control under stress; work with interruptions and deadlines; walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing, use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Maintain emotional control under stress; work with interruptions and deadlines; walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds. Work evenings and weekends as needed.

Environmental Factors

Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.). Occasional exposure to weather related conditions when working in outside environment/neighborhoods and events.

ADA/ADAAA Statement

AVANCE is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, AVANCE does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities regarding application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is AVANCE’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of AVANCE’s business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability for utilizing this policy or seeking a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.

EEO/AAP Statement

AVANCE values diversity and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. It is also our goal to employ and advance in employment women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and to treat qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of their physical or mental disability or veteran status.