Substitute Food Worker / Cook / Cook Assistant

REPORTS TO: Site Director, Early Childhood Programs

SUMMARY

The Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) is a comprehensive human services organization in Middlesex County, New Jersey. We provide a comprehensive range of essential services for children, youth, families, and senior citizens. We deliver need-based assistance to low and moderate-income residents of Central New Jersey and serve as advocates for those seeking to live productive, self-sufficient lives.

The Food Worker is responsible for the program implementation of the Child and Adult Food Program. S/he has a thorough understanding of the programs guidance and expectations. S/he works in collaboration with the CACFP Coordinator to ensure compliance and requests assistance as needed.

S/he works in collaboration with the teaching team to ensure program compliance and meeting individual childrens needs. S/he reports to the Site Director and follows his/her guidance and direction in a collaborative manner with respect to the organization as a whole.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Administration / CACFP

• Responsible for food purchase order.
• Prepare and serve a nutritionally balanced breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack for preschool age students.
• Ensure the proper distribution and delivery of all student meals to the classrooms.
• Collecting daily student count from each classroom, organizing meals into family style proportions for each room, and distribution/collection of meals and utensils from each classroom. (Cook Only)
• The Food Worker is responsible for ensuring that all families complete CACFP Eligibility Application for each child prior childs start date.Keep running log of all applications and childrens eligibility status. (Food Worker Only)
• Receive and sign off on food delivery.Ensure that all invoices reflect on delivered items.
• Send all invoices to PRAB Fiscal Department on a weekly basis (every Friday).
• Keep record of students allergy information and ensure centers compliance.(required medical information, inform site director and teacher, ensure appropriate food delivery to classroom.)
• Prepare meal times (Breakfast, lunch, pm snack)
• Keeps inventory of food items and other food related supply items for the center.
• Complete monthly Meal Count Report (Food Worker Only)
• Complete monthly Attendance Count Report (Food Worker Only)
• Cross reference Attendance Records with Meal Count Records for the End of the Month CACFP report. (Food Worker Only)
• Complete and submit CACFP voucher to Main Office by the required deadline. (Food Worker Only)

Health and Safety

• Follow Center policy for the discipline and care of students in accordance with the DYFS and PRAB manual & procedures.
• Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Responsible for the overall organization and management of the Kitchen.
• Understand and follow centers Crisis Management Plan and Procedures.
• Responsible for the opening or closing of assigned building.(based on Site Directors Assignment)
• Responsible for the proper sanitary preparation of food and upkeep of proper storage methods utilized daily in the kitchen.
• Responsible for the proper upkeep and sanitary conditions of the kitchen facility, utensils, and appliances.Which includes: daily/weekly cleaning of all appliances, storage spaces and utensils in addition to the proper use of sanitary food handling techniques.
• Responsible for the opening or closing of assigned building.(based on Site Directors Assignment)
• Understand and follow centers Crisis Management Plan and Procedures.

Communication

• Maintain and safeguard the rights of each family/child to privacy, respect and confidentiality.
• Develop good communication with co-workers and supervisors.

Professional Responsibilities and Development

• Insure compliance with PRAB rules, regulations and procedures accordance with Employee Handbook.
• Work in collaboration with staff and supervisors.
• Grow professionally and actively participate in the schools professional learning community.
• Attend on Staff Meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Will attend training on food preparation and storage in order to utilize such techniques on a daily basis.
• Demonstrate consistent and reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Site Director or Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs.

General

• Follow NJ state requirement as per NJ Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, Chapter 122 Manual of Requirement for Child Care Centers.
• Insure compliance with PRAB rules, regulations and procedures accordance with PRAB Employee Handbook.
• Understand and follow centers Crisis Management Plan and Procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma/GED
• Two years experience with school meal preparation preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Fully committed to PRABs vision, mission, and strategic goals and outcomes
• Follow NJ state requirement as per NJ Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, Chapter 122 Manual of Requirement for Child Care Centers.

• Insure compliance with PRAB rules, regulations and procedures accordance with PRAB Employee Handbook.
• Evidence of emotional maturity and stability.
• Ability to seek supervision and use it constructively.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team setting
• Proven ability to work well with diverse groups
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively under pressure
• Demonstrated maturity, integrity, and sound judgment

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Regularly stand, sit, and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• School staff will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment that is typical to the school environment

Compensation and Hours

• This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position
• Salary is based on an pre-established range and is commensurate with experience
• Benefits are generous, including paid employee health and dental insurance (some employee contribution required); voluntary vision and retirement plans are also available
• Paid time off includes sick, and personal days, and holidays

PRAB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER