Job Summary:

The Cook is responsible for food preparation for the youth at the shelter during the assigned shift.

Essential Functions:

• Prepare quality food for youth.
• Assistance in menu preparation to ensure compliance with specified standards and recommendations by the American Dietetic Association, funding source, State licensing, National School Lunch Programs (NSLP) and Southwest Key guidelines.
• Maintain a clean, safe and hazard-free dining room and kitchen facility at all times.
• Ensure the kitchen is in compliance with health department standards.
• Assist in maintaining inventory for food purchases and equipment including monitoring monthly waste control.
• Wash, peel, and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to prepare for cooking or serving.
• Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
• Enter menus in a timely manner into NSLP data base.

Other Functions:

• Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, and other cooking equipment.
• Apportion and serve food to facility residents.
• Must assist in the evacuation of youth as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences.
• Able to react to change productively and handle other essential tasks as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• One (1) or Two (2) years experience in food service preparation within a residential, institutional or educational, or large restaurant setting.
• Food handler’s permit.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license preferred and be eligible to drive to facilitate program services as required by contractual agreement.
• Cleared Tuberculosis test results.
• Cleared background check from appropriate entity.
• Bilingual English/Spanish
• Cleared drug test results (Texas programs only).
• Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to obtain Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification and First Aid Certification (CPR). Must be able to supervise clients indoors and outdoors as necessary. Bending, stooping and lifting up to 30 lbs required to complete daily tasks. Most activities include repetitive motions and can include overhead reaching.

Work Environment:

This is a twenty four hour residential facility at which minors receive multiple services. Three shifts per twenty four hour period. Work shifts are subject to change. Noise levels vary from mild to moderate. Predominantly indoors, occasional outdoor monitoring or activities. This is a fast paced environment with various sharp objects present and extreme temperatures. Involves walking and standing for extended periods of time.