Cook-Early Childhood Education

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

East Side House Settlement (ESH) is a community resource in the South Bronx. We believe education is the key that enables all people to create an economic and civic opportunities for themselves, their families and the communities.

East Side House’s Early Childhood programs provide Early Head Start and Head Start services in a safe, supportive, educational environment for children ages 18+ months to 5 years of age.  Serving 231 children daily from five locations, the comprehensive program is designed to develop the cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills of children in a safe, supportive environment. Children and families receive a broad range of educational, nutritional, social and preventive health services. Our staff foster partnerships with families so that they can support school learning and achievement as well as advocate for their children and themselves. We expect that all staff will work collaboratively, and with the community, to promote school readiness while creating a safe, healthy and protective environment.

Essential Functions:

The cook is responsible for preparing breakfast, lunch and snack, complying with all applicable sanitation, health and personal hygiene standards and following established food production programs and procedures.

• The cook is responsible for appropriate use of facility supplies and equipment to minimize loss, waste and fraud.
• Determines amount and type of food and supplies required using menus and food production systems.
• Ensures availability of supplies and food or approved substitutions in adequate time for preparation.
• Prepares well-balanced, nutritious, appetizing meals daily by accurately following menus provided by the Nutrition Consultant, ensuring that meals are prepared on time and correct portions are served at the appropriate temperature.
• Prepares an appropriate amount of food utilizing standards set by the Child, Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Correctly prepares all food served following standard recipes and special diet orders and ensures food is served family style.
• Ensures that all food is prepared and stored properly and in accordance with all food safety and sanitation guidelines and regulations. Refrigerator/freezer temperatures must be taken daily and adjustments made as needed. Food temperatures must be taken at appropriate times and recorded as required and stores food properly and safely, marking the date and item.
• Responsible to do an inventory of foods/supplies monthly, provides food orders on a biweekly basis ensuring to include substitution foods for children with special dietary needs/restrictions. 
• Reports necessary equipment repair and maintenance to supervisor.
• Plans food production to coordinate with meal serving hours so that quality, temperature and appearance of food are preserved.
• Maintains daily production records and submits production records to supervisor monthly.
• Maintains all milk logs, refrigerator cleaning logs, temperature logs.
• Ensures daily review of the listing of children with special dietary needs/restrictions and or food allergies. Any food substitutions are recorded daily.
• Observes good sanitation practices in all aspects of food preparation, food service and clean-up as required by the sanitizing guidelines and the NYC Department of Health.  Specifically:  Dishes are to be washed and disinfected properly, dishes must be air-dried, food items must be disposed of appropriately (food is never to leave the building in edible form), non-food items, such as coats and purses, are not to be in the kitchen area.
• Keeps a well-organized kitchen.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Competencies

1. High School Diploma
2. NYC Dept. of Health Food Handler’s Certificate
3. Prior experience in a related food service position
4. Teamwork Orientation
5. Communication Proficiency
6. Customer/Client Focus
7. Time Management
8. Thoroughness

Required Clearances

• NYC Department of Investigation Comprehensive Background Clearance
• NYC Department of Health Medical Clearance
• NYS Statewide Central Registry Clearance
• NYS Staff Exclusion List Clearance
• NYS Sex Offender Registry Clearance
• COVID Vaccine-As a recipient of Federal, State, and local funds, all staff are expected to be fully vaccinated or able to obtain vaccination before their start date

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.

Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, exempt position. General work schedule for this position is from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Workdays/hours subject to change based on ESH’s needs

Remote Work

ESH has determined that up to 0(%) of this position can be remote due to COVID-19. Subject to change as public health conditions evolve.

Travel

Travel may be necessary from one site to another for staff coverage purposes.

To Apply

To be considered for a position with East Side House visit our website: www.eastsidehouse.org/careers   

AAP/EEO Statement

ESH encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women to apply. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.