Kitchen Assistant

The Kitchen Assistant is responsible for supporting the Kitchen Manager in all areas of meal preparation, presentation cleanliness and sanitation. The Kitchen Assistant, under the supervision of the Kitchen Manager will insure children are served nutritious, good tasting and appealing meals and snacks. It is the Kitchen Assistant's responsibility to assist with food prep in preparing these meals and snacks by methods that maintain high nutrient levels and that are sanitary. Kitchen cleanliness, dish washing and overall sanitation of the kitchen must be in compliance with health and safety standards.

All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients cultural and socio-economic characteristics, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeams standards of excellence at all times.

Our core values are:

Champion Spirit We work like a champion every day: paying attention to details and performing with excellence

Servant Heart We exhibit humility in serving everyone; no job is below anyone and we all pull together to get the work done.

Sunny Attitude We bring a smile and a positive attitude. We treat each other with respect, ensuring an energized work environment.

Essential Functions:

The Kitchen Assistant is responsible for daily preparation of nutritious meals and snacks served to the children enrolled in the center by:

• Promoting, encouraging and displaying examples of leadership for the agency in accordance with the agency mission driven, employee first culture.

• Demonstrating capacity for providing developmentally appropriate and evidence-based practice, for exemplifying the values expected within the program, and for promoting the mission of the organization.

• Preparing meals and snacks in such a way that a minimum of nutrients are lost from foods, that ensure foods taste good and look appealing, and that there are ample amounts of foods for children to have as many servings as they need.

• Maintaining established standards of sanitation, safety and food preparation and storage as set by the local and state health departments; maintains an orderly, sanitary, and safe kitchen.

• Delivering foods from the kitchen to the classrooms ready to be served as suitable for the children's age and development.

• Sharing duties with the other kitchen staff for efficient functioning of food service program.

• Assisting teachers with developing food activities for the children in the classroom.

• Cooperating with and participating in nutrition education activities for staff, parents and children.

• Washing dishes, pots, pans and utensils using approved sanitation methods.

• Completing routine maintenance of kitchen equipment, including weekly deep cleaning.

• Insure proper storage of supplies received from vendors used to operate the kitchen and prepare meals.

• Participating in all emergency drills and environmental safety activities.

• Participating in general staff meetings and other meetings and events planned by the grantee and delegate agency as requested.

Other Duties:

• Provide support for other duties needed in keeping with our mission, vision and values

Education:

• Experience or course work and training in food preparation , nutrition and/or dietetics
• Previous experience in a large-scale food production operation preferred
• Baking experience preferred

Lic/Cert:

• Have a current food handlers certificate at time of hiring.

Experience:

• Knowledge of quantity food preparation, equipment, and purchasing.
• Previous experience in child care center and completion of CACFP training preferred.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Understanding of Head Start/Early Head Start performance standards and state and local child care license requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication to include beginning knowledgeable of computer operations and applications and the ability to master other computer technology/software programs, as needed
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Previous knowledge and understanding of Child Plus preferred
• Advanced computer database and Microsoft Office software skills preferred
• Previous knowledge and understanding of NAEYC preferred

Abilities:

• Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Exercise independent judgment
• Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity and respect for our internal, external and community members
• Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials
• Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, along with the ability to prioritize workload
• Willingness to work with high-risk, low income communities
• Local travel required and must have valid Oklahoma drivers license and insurance as required by the position
• Bilingual Spanish/English speaking preferred

Additional Job Requirements:

• Clear background and drug screen
• TB screen required
• Physical required

Work Schedule:

• Office Hours follow business hours and may vary with supervisor approval; may include occasional evening and weekends.

Working Conditions:

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with staff and others, and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, attend meetings, etc. Must be able to operate and use a computer. Must be able to detect, discern, distinguish, observe, inspect and compare. Must have excellent command of English language and grammar, both verbal and written. Occasionally must be able to move needed materials weighing up to 50 pounds. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

Work Environment

The employee will work in a food service environment, may work in close quarters with other staff and small children. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud; frequent chaotic situations will occur, characteristic to working with children ages 0 5 years. Employee must expect exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers and clothes, and poor hygiene. May come into contact with childhood diseases, and blood on occasion.

Other

The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel or candidate and may be subject to change at any time.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - Sunbeam Family Services is fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any legally protected characteristic.