Assistant Cook at Early Childhood Program

Status: 40 hours per week, part-year*

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Location: SW Portland (Hillsdale)

*This is a part-year position with an unpaid 9-week summer break, which begins on June 15th, 2026.

About Neighborhood House

Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency providing social services for children, families, seniors, and people experiencing food and housing insecurity. We have been engaging in anti-poverty work for a 120 years, offering a safety net to ensure that our community has the support they need to thrive. 

Our Head Start Program

Neighborhood House’s Head Start program provides an opportunity for participants to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that emphasizes parents as primary teachers, a cooperative environment between families, teachers, family advocates, home visitors, and other staff, connection to community resources, and learning through child-led play. Our program is designed to meet the needs of and to provide school readiness skills to all eligible children, including those with special needs and disabilities, so our community’s children and families are stronger for life.  

Primary Responsibilities

The Assistant Cook provides kitchen support and collaborates with the Nutrition Services team to provide daily meals and snacks to students across several sites. This position assists the Head Cook in all aspects of food service for the Head Start program, including preparation and delivery of meals as well as the maintenance of a safe and sanitary food preparation environment. This position supports our Farm to Early Childcare initiatives and food waste reduction efforts.

Responsibilities are as follows: 

• Assist in the completion of recipes for center-based meals
• Assist in the preparation of meals and snacks, including washing and dicing of fresh fruit and vegetables, dividing servings based on classroom count, and labeling serving containers
• Assist in the cooking and baking of meals, as assigned by the Head Cook or the Health and Nutrition Service Manager
• Assist in the monitoring of proper temperature control of ingredients and prepared food
• Transport breakfast, lunch, and snacks to all classrooms, ensuring appropriate food items and quantities are transported to the correct sites, and that food is maintained at appropriate temperatures
• Assist in the purchasing of food and food service supplies
• Assist in maintaining food and equipment inventory at all sites
• Assist in daily cleaning, sanitizing, and maintenance of all equipment used in the meal service (dishes, pots and utensils, kitchen counters) and monthly cleaning of large equipment (refrigerators, freezers, stoves)
• Assist in the proper sanitary storage of food
• Vacuum and sanitize the inside of the delivery van monthly or as assigned
• Attend CACFP and other food, sanitation, and nutrition trainings as needed and required.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 1 year of experience cooking or baking for large groups, preferably in a commercial setting, or equivalent education
• Must be able to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs
• At time of hire must be enrolled in the Oregon Child Care Division Central Background Registry (CBR) and maintain active enrollment during employment
• Obtain within 30 days of employment: Adult and Pediatric CPR & First Aid Certification and Food Handlers Card (paid by the organization)
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical exam and TB test prior to start date
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Basic-intermediate proficiency of Microsoft Office

Benefits

Neighborhood House offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package including:  

• Generous PTO and 10 paid holidays
• Affordable health insurance with 95% of the cost paid by NH
• 403b retirement plan
• Company-paid life insurance. Voluntary life, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free counseling