Head Cook

St. Johnsbury School is looking for its next Head Cook to join the school's community. We have approximately 600 students and approximately 250 employees in the school.  We are a 2 minute drive from Exit 21 off I-91 conveniently located on Route 2/Western Avenue.

A successful Head Cook works in the kitchen as a leader of the whole culinary team in delivering excellent food service. Our ideal candidate is a self-motivated, hardworking individual who has a passion for food service and possesses excellent teamwork and communication skills in a fast-paced environment.  A strong candidate for this position must have strong knowledge of food safety standards and practices. The head cook prepares the meals following the Food Service Director recipes and menus.  This is a 40 hour a week non-exempt position that works year round under the supervision of the Food Director.  When school is on summer break the hours are 30 a week. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Prepare and cook meals.
• Help with unloading and storing deliveries.
• Keeping up to date with all training online and in person that is required by state and federal guidelines.
• Keep all required paperwork up to date (count sheets, production records, inventory).
• Keep the workspace clean and organized.
• Assuming other tasks as given by the food director.
• Operating computer during serving times.
• Serving meals with a mobile serving cart.
• Assist with end-of-the-day cleaning. 
• Drive to deliver meals when necessary.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• At least 2 years of kitchen experience.  
• Must have the ability to multi-task efficiently with a strong attention to detail.  
• Must be able to read and follow recipes and directions. 
• Must have a driver's license to do meal deliveries when necessary.
• Must pass a fingerprint background check without issues.
• Must pass an Agency of Human Services background check without issues. 

Physical and Mental Requirements of the position:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly, and occasionally up to 75 lbs with assistance.
• Must be able to carry heavy trays, boxes, and equipment around the kitchen area.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time (up to 6-9 hours during a shift).
• Must be able to move quickly and efficiently between different areas of the kitchen.
• Frequent bending, stooping, and squatting to retrieve items from shelves, cabinets, or the floor.
• Ability to kneel and crouch when necessary, particularly for cleaning or retrieving ingredients.
• Must be able to reach overhead to retrieve items or place objects on high shelves.
• Ability to stretch and extend arms for long periods when performing various kitchen tasks.
• Must possess good hand-eye coordination for food preparation, including chopping, stirring, and operating kitchen tools or machinery.
• Ability to use knives, peelers, and other sharp tools safely and efficiently.
• Ability to endure a fast-paced environment and remain physically active throughout a shift.
• Ability to handle repetitive tasks with consistent energy and attention to detail.
• Ability to push heavy carts, food storage containers, or kitchen equipment.
• May need to pull heavy items from shelves or refrigerators.
• Ability to climb ladders or step stools to reach high shelves or equipment.
• Ability to move quickly and safely around the kitchen, even during busy or crowded times.
• Ability to work in hot, humid, and noisy environments, as well as near ovens, stoves, and other cooking equipment.
• Tolerance for exposure to cleaning chemicals and food odors.
• Ability to follow recipes and food preparation instructions accurately.
• Ensure proper portion sizes, presentation, and adherence to safety and cleanliness standards.
• Capacity to manage multiple tasks at once, such as prepping ingredients, assisting with cooking, and maintaining a clean workspace.
• Adapt quickly to changes in the flow of work during busy periods.
• Ability to address unexpected challenges, such as equipment malfunctions or missing ingredients.
• Find solutions to meet food needs efficiently and without compromising quality.
• Effective time management skills to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and ensure kitchen operations run smoothly during peak times.
• Ability to work efficiently while maintaining high standards of food preparation.
• Clear communication with kitchen staff and front-of-house employees to ensure smooth service and workflow.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal or written instructions quickly and accurately.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Maintain productivity and attention to detail despite distractions or stressful situations.
• Willingness and ability to learn new techniques, recipes, and kitchen technologies.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the kitchen or the menu.
• Positive attitude towards working as part of a team.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others, assisting colleagues when needed and maintaining harmony in a high-energy environment.
• Ability to evaluate situations quickly and make decisions that support kitchen efficiency and food quality.
• Assess the quality of food, service, and cleanliness to ensure it meets organizational standards.

Benefits include paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long term disability insurance. We have an amazing Employee Wellness program that includes a free membership to RecFit, a free membership to Heart Space Yoga and after work classes at the school. We also have half-days during inservice of employee wellness with many choices to participate. We have an InvestEAP program, PATH, mental health resources, employee connect, travel connect, Lincoln Wellnesspath, Lifekeys, life insurance and long-term disability insurance all employer paid benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

Salary : $19 - $23