POSITION SUMMARY:

Supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Nutrition Assistants are responsible for supporting the daily food program operations of the center by providing high quality and safe foods, in the quantity necessary to meet the needs of the children. Nutrition Assistants contribute to services that are aligned with Head Start Performance Standards, rules and regulations determined by the California Department of Education, California Department of Social Services, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Community Care Licensing. Nutrition Assistants provide food service support in multiple ways to include: procuring and delivering meals from the central kitchen to sites, preparing necessary foods on-site for mealtime, supporting mealtime in the classroom as needed, and maintaining a safe and sanitary kitchen space at the designated site.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Prepare food based on what is indicated on the daily menu utilizing health and sanitation procedures including washing hands, using gloves, and sanitizing food preparation areas properly.

2. Deliver food for each classroom in correct proportions and from central kitchen to site(s).

3. Provide food, dishes, utensils, and other supplies to each classroom in time for meal service. Clean and sanitize dishes and utensils after every use.

4. Create warm and welcoming relationships with children and families.

5. Review transportation sheets and other required paperwork, to be sure that they match what is indicated on the daily menu. Log changes when necessary.

6. Communicate efficiently and in a timely manager with supervisors if/when issues arise.

7. Fill out Meal Incident Reports to communicate issues related to food quality and quantity.

8. Reheat food safely, if/when it falls out of proper temperature.

9. Ensure accurate documentation of refrigerator and freezer temperature logs twice daily.

10. Clean and sanitize thermometers before and after every use.

11. Clean and maintain refrigerator and kitchen areas, recycling as appropriate.

12. Attend staff meetings and required professional development opportunities.

13. Perform duties under the direct supervision of the Head Cook and indirect supervision of the Assistant Cook.

14. Perform other duties as assigned, including supporting general classroom supervision needs, as appropriate, and per availability.

QUALIFICATIONS (ALSO CALLED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS OR KNOW HOW):

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Upon hire, unless already achieved, must enroll in at least 3 units of Early Childhood Education from an accredited college or university per semester, until 12 units are successfully completed with a grade of C or better
• Two years cooking experience; high volume preferred
• One year of Early Childhood classroom experience preferred, but not required, volunteer or paid experience will be considered
• Experience working with children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds
• Ability to work effectively in a high stress environment
• Valid California Driver’s License
• Physical examination and TB clearance
• Proof of immunization for Measles and Pertussis, Flu vaccination recommended but not required
• LiveScan fingerprint and criminal record clearance.
• Must be able to communicate in English with proficiency, bilingual or multilingual preferred
• Pre-employment physical examination and TB clearance
• Current certificates for Pediatric First Aid and CPR, including a total of 15 hours of preventative health and safety training or completion of this training within 90 days of hire
• Good verbal and written communication skills

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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

• Ability to walk, stand, and sit; use fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, climb and balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and occasionally required to reach with hands or arms.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee is required to work outdoors daily.
• Mobility to quickly respond to emergencies.