About the Role
This position is responsible for the preparation and serving of nutritious meals and snacks for young children in the Head Start/Early Head Start program with emphasis on quality and quantity. Monitors any special dietary concerns or needs such as food allergies, intolerances, or specific health conditions.
Responsibilities
- Works closely with the nutrition supervisor and parents to plan meals and monitor any special dietary needs.
- Prepares and serves all meals making sure that nutrition standards and quantity conform to CAO Standards and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulations.
- Maintains established standards of sanitation and food safety in accordance with all Federal and State regulations.
- Responsible for checking accuracy of deliveries, storing inventory, and tracking expiration dates.
- Completes daily cleaning and disinfecting areas.
- Monitors children’s acceptance of food items.
- Serves food to children “family style” as soon as they come to the table, providing proper eating utensils, and in a form easy for young children to manage.
- Maintains file records of meal census.
- Maintains inventory by placing food orders, checks accuracy of deliveries, stores all incoming products, and makes sure items in storage have not expired.
- Provides and promotes nutritional education to children and families and prepares meal plans.
- Recruit volunteers for food service area.
- Trains volunteers of proper dishwashing procedures and safe operation of equipment such as fire extinguishers.
- Reviews nutrition assessment data to reinforce good aspects of family eating patterns and prepares written reports.
- Satisfactory completion of mandatory trainings.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Educated in Health and Safety of food preparation, including sanitary conditions to comply with all federal, state, and local requirements.
- One Year of work and/or volunteer experience preparing large quantity meals.
- Completion of the following documents: CAO Employment application.
- NYS SCR Clearance Form with acceptable clearance.
- Criminal Record Certification and free of criminal convictions of crimes against children (misdemeanor or felony).
- Fingerprinting required.
- Release for Reference Checks.
Skills
- Understanding of essential nutrients, dietary guidelines, and the impact of food on health.
- Familiar with modern cooking utensils, appliances, and equipment.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively educate and counsel children and families.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and manage information effectively.
- Ability to identify and address barriers to healthy eating and to adapt meal plans to individual needs.
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Active listening, writing, and verbal communication skills.
Location
- North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Work Type
- Full-time
Experience Level
- One year of work and/or volunteer experience preparing large quantity meals.
Education Level
- High School Diploma or GED
Salary/Compensations
- $18.00 - $18.00 Hourly
