Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Department: Head Start                                 

Type of Position: Non-Exempt 

Location of Work: Sitka 

Covered Position: Yes 

Salary Grade(s): 5

Hours of Work: Vary

Employment Category:  Regular, Fulltime

PURPOSE

The Cook is responsible for ensuring that children have access to healthy, balanced meals throughout the day. The incumbent will properly plan for, purchase supplies, and prepare preapproved meals using proper handling and preparation methods, serve and deliver as needed.  This position ensures that work areas meet or exceed federal and state health and safety standards.

 REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

 

Reports To:  Lead Teacher

Supervises:   N/A

Liaison To:   N/A

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Evaluate Information to Determine Compliance with Standards – Use relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards
  • Ensure all meals served comply with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) current and updated meal patterns
  • Prepare a six-week cycle menu that is nutritionally balanced, culturally appealing, provides variety and new experiences for the Head Start children while meeting the CACFP nutrition standards
  • Develop menus with input from the Health and Nutrition Specialist, a nutritionist, the Lead Teacher, and/or parents
• Organize, Plan, and Prioritize Work – Develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work
  • Post weekly menus in the center and send home to families
  • Plan meals around preapproved menus and create a list containing ingredients and amount required for each meal (food matrix)
  • Complete weekly shopping trips and match receipts to planned food matrix
  • Operate effectively in a (commercial) kitchen setting and perform the essential functions to include receiving/purchasing, storing, prepping, cooking, serving, cleaning and sanitizing within the given work area
  • Develop and maintain a positive relationship with staff, children, their families, assistants, and volunteers

• • Prepare meals (breakfast, lunch, or snacks) and serve “family style” to promote community building and social interactions among the children
  • Eat and interact with children at mealtimes, serving as an appropriate model for the children.
  • Work within a limited budget
• Work Activities
  • Inform Supervisor, or component coordinator, immediately of meal preparation obstacles (mechanical, personnel, and/or product shortages).  Offer suggestions for improvement/quality assurance
  • Facilitate a quality food program with communication between the food service personnel and teaching teams. Combine curricular themes into the menu as much as possible, planning with the team
  • Attend all scheduled employee meetings and/or trainings
  • Understand and abide by standard portion sizes, cooking methods, CACFP and CCTHITA policies and procedures
  • Understand and promote local community control to the extent that the CACFP program allows.
  • Analyze information and evaluate results to reach the best solution and solve problems.  Draw on supervisor’s assistance and guidance as needed
  • Create, maintain, and organize meal records, personnel records to include timesheets, and fiscal receipts
  • Inspect Equipment, Structures, or Material to identify errors or defects

 

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY

Spending Authority: Specific to Food Matrix and at discretion of Lead Teacher

Other Authority: N/A

NECESSARY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex information from multiple sources
• Ability to manage priorities in a changing environment with limited information
• Familiarity with Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures
• Able to work at remote sites or locations.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)

• High School Diploma or GED
• One year experience in meal planning, food preparation and/or serving
• Understanding of safe food handling and have a food worker card
• Understanding of cleaning and sanitizing standards of a commercial kitchen
• Must have a valid Alaska driver’s license with own reliable transportation.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)

• CPR/First Aide Certification
• Certified Food Manager’s Certificate

UNUSUAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OR RESTRICTIONS

The majority of work is performed in a professional office setting and is generally sedentary, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items weighing less than 40 lbs.  Travel on small aircraft or ferry may be required.

 

CONDITIONS OF HIRE:

• All employment at Tlingit & Haida is “at will”. This means that the employee or Tlingit & Haida may terminate employment at any time and for any reason. Unless specified in writing, no term of employment is expressed or implied for this position.
• Tlingit & Haida is a no tolerance workplace. All regular employees may be required to pass a pre-employment and subsequent random drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.
• Tlingit & Haida requires a criminal background check be conducted on all employees. All employment offers are conditional until federal criminal background check results verify your eligibility to work for Tlingit & Haida.