Cook Assistant Custodian

Job DetailsLevel: EntryJob Location: Roberts Head Start - Tucson, AZ 85711Position Type: 40 hours/week - year roundEducation Level: High School Diploma or GEDSalary Range: $15.55 - $15.55 HourlyTravel Percentage: In TownJob Shift: Day (M-F) Approx 7:30am - 4:30pmJob Category: OtherLevel: Entry

Salary: Grade 02

Position Type: 40 hours/week (year-round)

Travel %: In Town

Job Shift: Various shifts (M-F), work is in-person, may require evening or weekend work due to special events

Job Categories: Food service

Classification: Hourly

Supervisor: Center Manager 

Supervises: None

Job Summary:

Child-Parent Centers prides itself on serving delicious and nutritious meals that our cook assistant custodians help to prepare in our Head Start center kitchens, and we are looking for experienced and passionate cook assistant custodians to join our team. The ideal candidate for this position has previous experience with cleaning and food service.  The cook assistant custodian enjoys the convenience of a semi commercial kitchen environment, yet the feeling of home with "family style" meals served in the classrooms. The cook assistant custodian will support the cook with all aspects of food service at the center including food orders, food storage, sanitary practices, meal prep, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) compliance, dish washing, and kitchen clean up.  The cook assistant custodian is responsible for cleaning the kitchen as well as classrooms, restrooms, offices, and preparing playground spaces for outdoor play time. This position requires effective communication and organizational skills, the ability to work in a time sensitive environment, and strong math skills to keep costs within acceptable standards. Reporting to the Site Supervisor, the cook assistant custodian position is an entry-level position funded to work 8 hours per day Monday through Friday and may work a split shift. If you have custodial and food service and/or food preparation experience and enjoy preparing healthy meals and introducing children to nutritional activities, please submit an application today!

Benefits:

Paid Leave – 25 paid holidays, 5 days paid vacation after one year and up to 10-13 days each year thereafter, 5-8 days paid Personal leave first year, 8-11 days each year thereafter, up to 5 days paid Sick leave per year. 
Insurance benefits - Dental, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Savings Accounts, PPO medical (3 plans), Vision, and Supplemental Life coverage for self, spouse, and child ($25,000 basic life and Accidental death and disability provided by employer). Supplemental Insurances (Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident). Pet Insurance.
Retirement Plan - Agency contribution after years of services and hours of eligibility criteria are met. Employee 401k deferral once eligibility is met

Minimum Qualifications:

Possess a High School Diploma or GED.
Must be 18 years of age.
Prior experience in one or more of the following food service activities: direct responsibility for preparing nutritious meals, scheduling meals, proper food handling and storage, food inventory, food ordering, and working with the Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements.
Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Submit a current AZ Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card prior to start date.
Able to pass a company paid physical exam prior to starting work.
Able to pass a DES Centralized Background Check prior to starting work.

Competencies:

Accountability and Dependability
Accuracy
Safety Focus
Teamwork
Self-Management
Adaptability and Flexibility
Technology

Other Requirements (post hire):

Must be able to travel to and from various sites as needed. 
Provide proof of immunizations: MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Tdap (adult Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), and a clear Tuberculosis self-assessment
Must be able to prove the right to work in the USA by providing appropriate documents to complete the Federal I-9 form.
Must possess or have the ability to possess and keep current certification in First Aid Training/CPR training including Infants and Children.
Must be able to obtain and maintain the Food Safety Manager Certification and Food Handler’s Certificate issued by the Arizona Health department within 30 days of employment.

Desired Qualifications:

Ability to read, write, speak, and understand Spanish.
Three (3) years’ experience working with the Child and Adult Care Food Program or School Lunch Program.
Three (3) years’ experience working with Head Start.
Demonstrated proficiency using Office 365 (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Work Environment:

Indoor environment
Exposure to heat exceeding 85 degrees.
Exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals
Exposure to sharp knives and slicers.
Exposure to very hot foods, equipment and metal objects used in cooking and baking.

Physical Requirements:

Frequently

Stooping, bending, crouching, kneeling
Reaching, pulling, pushing
Climbing up step stool
Carrying/lifting heavy objects 0-25lbs
Operating appliances and small kitchen equipment
Works with commercial gas range

Occasionally

Picking up and dropping off supplies
Push, pull, move furniture or equipment {20 to 50lb}
Exposure to sharp knives and slicers
Clerical duties (computer, typing, copying, etc.)

Duties and ResponsibilitiesJob Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Cook Assistant Responsibilities:

Demonstrates sanitary practices in relation to preparation of food and personal hygiene.
Assists in meals preparation and afternoon snack for children.
Assists in maintaining kitchen to meet sanitation requirements; cleans dishes, stove, carts and work surfaces after meal preparation.
Maintains daily record of number of snacks served.
Prepares quantity of food to meet CACFP and Head Start Standards
Works independently and cooperatively with cook.
Assist cook in calculating and ordering food from vendor to prepare planned meals using centralized ordering system.  Limits shopping for approved items and errands to center work day and/or before or after preparation and clean-up times.

Custodial Responsibilities:

Clean classroom(s), kitchen, restrooms, and office facilities to ensure that they are free of dirt, odors, insects, and vermin.  Clean and inspect playgrounds to ensure that they are free of dangerous objects, debris, and weeds.  Complete work according to Center Cleaning Checklists.
Notify supervisor of maintenance needs and/or safety hazards related to all areas of the center. Submit to Work Request system as requested by supervisor.
Prepare supply requests and submit to the supervisor to order necessary cleaning supplies.  Store hazardous or dangerous items in a locked storage area that is inaccessible to children.
Organize storage areas to ensure accurate inventory of cleaning supplies and materials.
Take out scheduled playground equipment before outdoor playtime begins and stores after outdoor playtime is completed.
Ensure soft surfacing is maintained in required areas including raking Fibar or sand on a daily basis to maintain a minimum of 6” depth under swings or climbing structures.
Water down hot surfaces when season requires it, including water of sand area for child play.
Ensure drinking water is available and accessible to children during outdoor playtime.
Use caution tape to designate unsafe areas to ensure children are not allowed in the area.
Has an active role in the closedown cleaning process for the kitchen and other areas of the center including moving and storing classroom furniture.
Ensure the facility is secured at the end of the day.
Where applicable communicate with custodian or custodian/driver to minimize duplicate ordering, reporting, or cleaning.

Supervision:

Identify self-growth, development goals, and strategies for achievement with support and input from supervisor.
Commit and participate in consistent and planned meetings with supervisor to further professional growth by seeking feedback, reflecting on and assessing own practice, and taking advantage of opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.

Recordkeeping, Monitoring and Reporting:

Assist in maintaining daily Inventory of food and food service supplies.
Assist in completing/submitting kitchen/disposable and maintenance supplies order forms to Procurement when needed.
Assist cook in maintaining inventory of kitchen appliances and equipment.
Assist in maintaining daily record of number of meals served, the Child and Adult Care Food Program menu production worksheets, cycle menus and recipes.
Receive food orders, sign bills and submit paperwork and bills to Accounting on the established schedule when needed.

Leadership, Management and Teamwork:

Actively participate on the center team and contribute to the decision-making process for compliance, strategic initiatives, professional development, budget, governance, and agency self-assessment
Assume the lead role in food services with other staff that includes one substitute and volunteer when cook is absent.
Participate in developing Accommodation /Special Care Plans for children requiring special diets whenever requested by the Registered Dietician
Assist with the recruitment of volunteers and substitutes for the kitchen.
Train and support volunteers, substitutes and center staff with kitchen procedures, routines, and the proper use of equipment. 
Work cooperatively with the cook and center team and communicate need to know information on a daily basis.

Responsibilities for all Child-Parent Centers, Inc.:

Understand and model the agency's vision, mission, and philosophy within the agency and the community.
Demonstrate approachability, ownership, accountability, and life-long learning.
Use the agency's communication and problem-solving approach.

Seek perspective of others.
Identify emerging issues and contribute new knowledge.
Work to de-escalate when emotions and stakes are high.

Maintain professional behavior and relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Use agency systems and technologies to accomplish work.
Maintain a high level of attendance to support ongoing service delivery.
Recognizes children's safety as the first responsibility of all staff and acts swiftly to ensure no child is unsupervised or released to an unauthorized person.
Implement agency policies and procedures for safeguarding confidential or sensitive information about employees and/or program participants. Restrict access to paper or electronic documents to those with a need to know.
Performs other duties as assigned.

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. This job opening is intended to provide information about the position for employee recruitment purposes only and is not intended to be the basis of any employee contract.

Child-Parent Centers, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.