Description

　　All Save the Children employees are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 unless otherwise required by law. All new employees hired to Save the Children will be required to submit proof of vaccination as part of their onboarding process. Failure to provide proof of vaccination may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Save the Children complies with federal, state and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy.

　　Summary

　　The Cook is a critical role within in a large system of services provided to children and families. A strong food service program is important to supporting the goals of the Head Start/Early Head Start program. You will be responsible for the ordering, preparing, serving and documentation of meals and snacks served to children, including following menus and all phases of kitchen operations including inventory control.

　　You will contribute to the smooth operations and functioning of the kitchen in adherence to health and food safety codes and the strict cleanliness of the kitchen and food service and storage areas. You will prepare foods for infants and toddlers and/or preschool children following the USDA/CACFP standards. This role may involve reassignment to various kitchens/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.

　　As a front line representative of Save the Children the position holder is required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that, he/she comes in contact with and represents the agency values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

　　What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

　　Prepare and serve food and assist in any food related activities as directed and menus as approved by registered dietitian/nutritionist. These duties may include the preparation of food to meet the needs of children with special needs or disabilities.

　　Make accommodations for special dietary needs. Maintain accurate records, both on paper and in designated on-line systems. Maintain confidentiality regarding children and families.

　　Oversee maintenance of inventory for all necessary supplies, food and equipment used for food services operations.

　　Oversee the processing and storage of food and food related items as they are delivered.

　　Safely operate, clean and maintain utensils and equipment used in an institutional kitchen.

　　Adhere to and ensure sanitation requirements are met when storing, handling and preparing food.

　　Oversee full kitchen operations and may supervise additional staff or volunteer assistance (depending on size and scope of workload).

　　Implement a cost effective food service program according to federal, state and local regulations that is a financially successful operation by helping to control food and labor costs.

　　Ensure that standardized recipes are followed and appropriate quantities of food are prepared and served in accordance with the CACFP meal requirements

　　Prepare and serve all meals as planned, paying attention to food presentation and freshness.

　　Distribute and post weekly menu.

　　Deliver food to classroom and other Centers, where applicable.

　　Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.

　　Apply clear practice and procedure in day-to-day execution of job.

　　Organize self and manage time to get things done.

　　Keep manager informed of important issues.

　　Build effective relationships within their workgroup and with children/families

　　Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by manager.

　　Required Qualifications

　　High school diploma, plus at least 3 years of relevant experience

　　Demonstrated commitment to service to children

　　Proven relevant knowledge of basic food preparation and kitchen operations, including food safety requirements

　　Ability to relate sensitively with children and to work well with staff, parents and families.

　　Proven commitment to team work and customer service orientation

　　Professional proficiency in spoken and written English

　　Proven teamwork orientation and organizational skills

　　Demonstrated knowledge of the basics of working with preschool children and infants/toddlers

　　Proven ability to follow directions and take initiative

　　Demonstrated ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential

　　Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging

　　Preferred Qualifications

　　Previous experience having met Health Department Regulations, USDA and Head Start Standards is preferred

　　Previous experience working with CACFP is preferred

　　Certification in ServSafe is preferred

　　Bilingual is preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area)

　　Professional proficiency in spoken and written English

　　Demonstrated ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels—whether internal or external—in the provision of high quality services to children and families

　　Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; great problem solving and time management skills.

　　Demonstrated ability to follow established and communicated directions and take initiative

　　Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.

　　Proven ability to relate sensitively with children.

　　Proven ability to keep all required information strictly confidential.

　　Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.

　　Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging

　　Physical Requirements related to essential functions: Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding and computer use.

　　Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.

　　This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver’s license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.

　　Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

　　Preferred Qualifications

　　Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).

　　If in North Carolina, holding a Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Licensure preferred.

　　Why you should join the Save the Children Team…

　　Save the Children US offers outstanding benefits that include health, dental, vision and life insurances, pet insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, 403(b), generous vacation, personal sick leave, family leave, parental/adoption leave, commuter benefits, dress for your day, and much more.

　　Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

　　Our work for children and their families requires that we commit—at every opportunity—to work together to identify and dismantle persistent systemic and structural racism, inequality, and any other forms of discrimination in this country and beyond. As an anti-racist organization, Save the Children will not tolerate discrimination in any form—in our employment practices, amongst our staff, in our leadership or toward the people we serve. We stand in solidarity with all people to fight for equal rights, justice, inclusion, and belonging.

　　We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.

　　Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children’s policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of child abuse. All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation.

　　Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

　　Qualifications

　　Behaviors

　　Preferred

　　Team Player: Works well as a member of a group

　　Loyal: Shows firm and constant support to a cause

　　Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

　　Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

　　Motivations

　　Preferred

　　Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

　　Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

　　Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

　　Education

　　Required

　　High School or betterEqual Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

　　The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)