Job Description for: Kitchen Assistant
Exemption Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt – Hourly
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Educare West DuPage is a state-of-the-art, full day, year-round school that serves children from birth to five years that are at-risk of academic failure. Building on the program foundations of Head Start, Educare promotes school readiness by implementing effective programming aimed at preventing the development of an achievement gap in the early years. Educare West DuPage is part of a larger national network that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies within each state, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to the first five years of life and learning. As part of the Educare initiative, each school is a highly visible program that is host to a wide variety of visitors. The Educare model draws on a unique blend of private and public dollars, including Head Start, and other local education funding streams.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Kitchen Assistant is responsible for serving the children nutritious, good tasting, appealing meals and snacks under the general supervision of the Director of Finance and Administration and with the guidance from the contracted caterer. This position helps in the preparation of these meals and snacks and delivers meals and snacks to each room ready for family style meal service and suitable for the children's age and development by performing the following duties.
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Finance and Administration
EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
Educare West DuPage is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Exemption Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt – Hourly
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Educare West DuPage is a state-of-the-art, full day, year-round school that serves children from birth to five years that are at-risk of academic failure. Building on the program foundations of Head Start, Educare promotes school readiness by implementing effective programming aimed at preventing the development of an achievement gap in the early years. Educare West DuPage is part of a larger national network that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies within each state, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to the first five years of life and learning. As part of the Educare initiative, each school is a highly visible program that is host to a wide variety of visitors. The Educare model draws on a unique blend of private and public dollars, including Head Start, and other local education funding streams.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Kitchen Assistant is responsible for serving the children nutritious, good tasting, appealing meals and snacks under the general supervision of the Director of Finance and Administration and with the guidance from the contracted caterer. This position helps in the preparation of these meals and snacks and delivers meals and snacks to each room ready for family style meal service and suitable for the children's age and development by performing the following duties.
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Finance and Administration
EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- High School graduate or equivalent
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
- Proof of a physical examination within the last six months, which includes a tuberculosis test, mmr, Tdap, and must comply with other background checks as required by the organization and/or Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) licensing
- Personal qualifications include: emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Participate in trainings to build an understanding of the Educare Model of early learning programming and Food Service related trainings
- Attend staff training and meetings, and parent meetings as requested
- Limited preparation of meals for all children in the building and staff
- Maintain all kitchen equipment, utensils, and storage, food preparation and serving carts to maintain the required sanitary conditions
- Serve the food and beverage items meeting the mandated requirements and/or projected meal requirements
- Inspect food items and/or supplies for the purpose of verifying quantity and specifications of orders and/or complying with daily menus and mandated health standards
- Conduct the daily health and environmental checklist
- Prepare and communicate the shopping list per the menu or allergy needs of children that are mandated by health standards at the beginning of the week
- Print the menus for the classrooms and modify any changes
- Prepare the weekly milk order and call it in to the vendor
- Maintain the inventory of food, condiments, supplies, baby food, baby formula, nursery water, and baby cereal
- Wash all dishes from all meals
- Serve the correct portion of food for each meal and prepare the carts for the classrooms for each meal
- Clean and put away all dishes for the next school day
- Follow guidelines in the employee handbook, positive guidance, and code of conduct
- Perform other duties, as may be required
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Illinois Food Handler Certificate or
- Knowledge of quantity serving, knowledge of state food requirements
- Successful experience working in a team setting
- Ability to work respectfully and cooperatively with the Catering Company and all staff at the facility
- Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community
- Ability to plan, organize and implement position responsibilities
- Manual dexterity sufficient to operate kitchen and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, copier and computer
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds
Educare West DuPage is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
