Head Cook [SY25-26]

Overview of the Malden Public Schools:

The Malden Public Schools (MPS) is a richly diverse school district located within the Greater Boston area and accessible by the MBTA orange line train.  Malden’s student body comprises approximately 6,800 students who represent 59 different countries and speak 67 different languages. We have 1 early learning center, 5 K-8 schools, and 1 high school.  We are committed to providing high expectations for all learners through rigorous instruction and culturally responsive practices and pedagogy.   MPS is a safe, welcoming, and collaborative district where we encourage and embrace a growth mindset. We believe that our diversity is an asset, and we are seeking candidates that reflect, embrace, and contribute to the strengths of our community. 

Summary: This position is responsible for making and serving nutritious meals for students in a safe and healthful manner.

Essential Functions, Responsibilities, and Duties: 

• Service daily hot lunch line to ensure compliance with portioning, plate presentation and quality guidelines.
• Determine time and sequence of cooking operations to meet meal serving deadlines (e.g., breakfast, lunch, satellite). Batch cooking is required. Do not cook product for entire day service at once.
• Prepare and submit food and paper orders according to menu and production logs.
• Able to keep up in a fast paced environment.
• Perform temperature checks during meal period to ensure food is being served hot. Log results in temperature log.
• Follow sanitation requirements according to state, federal or local safe food handling and as prescribed by manager.
• Implement and follow-up of sanitation cleaning schedule for all kitchen areas and equipment.
• Prepare and update production records and temperature logs.
• When applicable, assist with production required / assigned throughout kitchen.
• Complies with all requirements of the mandated food handling certification requirements.
• Attend kitchen meetings held by head chef or manager.
• Follows and adheres to all management companies policies & procedures at all times.
• Ensure compliance with all portioning, plate presentations and quality guidelines.
• Maintain a sanitary and attractive work area at all times. Clean as you go.
• Stock enough supplies at your station to last the entire day.
• Menu signage is to be neat, clean, colorful and complete.
• Set up attractive display plates for each menu daily.
• Handling of cash is possible.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications & Competecies:

Education:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Must complete all Aramark and government required training as necessary

Certifications:

• Servsafe certification

Other Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:

• Ability to speak and read English in order to understand and perform job assignments.
• Must be proficient in recipe procedures and cooking techniques.
• 1 year professional culinary experience required
• Computer & Register Literate
• Able to access and communicate via email
• Always present a positive and professional image.
• 2 years as a manager/team leader of a group.

Physical Demands of the Job:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is frequently required to:

• Sit, walk, talk and hear
• Use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• Be standing on feet majority of the workday in addition to walking back and forth.
• Lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Lifting while turning side to side is sometimes necessary.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• The work is performed primarily in the kitchen and on the serving line
• Standing most of the work day is required.
• Work requires movement in and out of store rooms, near ovens and freezers
• Exposure to extreme temperatures (hot and cold) due to cooking and refrigeration equipment.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work and duties that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Report To: Director of Food Services 

Hours: 30-40 hours per week 

To Apply:  Submit letter of interest highlighting qualifications for the position via TalentEd. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Malden Public Schools is committed to cultivating an ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse and inclusive environment where different backgrounds and perspectives are celebrated. We believe the differences within our environment will positively impact student outcomes and benefit our employees and community. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.