Kitchen Assistant

Job Details Job Location : Sunbeam Family Services - Oklahoma City, OK Position Type : Full Time Education Level : Food Handler's Certificate Salary Range : Undisclosed Description POSITION OVERVIEW 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 ensure children are served nutritious, good tasting and appealing meals and snacks. Kitchen Assistant is responsible for daily food preparation and using sanitary methods that maintain high nutrient levels. Must help ensure kitchen cleanliness, dishwashing and overall sanitation of the kitchen 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. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepare 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 sufficient amounts of foods for children to have as many servings as they need. .
• Maintain established standards of sanitation, safety and food preparation and storage as set by the local and state health departments; maintain an orderly, sanitary, and safe kitchen.
• Deliver foods from the kitchen to the classrooms ready to be served as suitable for the children's age and development.
• Share duties with the other kitchen staff and ECS staff for efficient functioning of food service program.
• Assist teachers with developing food activities for the children in the classroom.
• Cooperate with and participate in nutrition education activities for staff, parents and children.
• Wash dishes, pots, pans and utensils using approved sanitation methods.
• Complete routine maintenance of kitchen equipment, including weekly deep cleaning.
• Ensure proper storage of supplies received from vendors used to operate the kitchen and prepare meals.
• Participate in all emergency drills and environmental safety activities.
• Participate in staff meetings and other meetings as required.
• Travel locally as required in performance of responsibilities.
• Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor or Executive Team.

Qualifications
JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Minimally Required

Preferred

Education

Course work and training in food preparation, nutrition and/or dietetics.

Formal education / training in food preparation, nutrition and/or dietetics

Certification

Food Handlers Certificate, or obtain within 30 days of employment.

Current Food Handlers Certificate

Experience

Experience in food preparation, nutrition, and/or dietetics.

Experience in quantity food preparation, equipment, and purchasing.

Experience in a large-scale food production operation

Baking experience

Experience in child care center and completion of CACFP training

Skills

Knowledge

Abilities

Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families

Willingness to work with high-risk, low income communities.

Knowledge of quantity food preparation, equipment, and purchasing

Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity and respect for our internal, external and community members.

Basic knowledge of computer operations and applications.

Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Exercise independent judgment.

Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.

Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, along with the ability to prioritize workload.

Travel locally as required in performance of responsibilities

Must have valid Oklahoma drivers license and insurance as required by position.

Knowledge and understanding of Child Plus

Knowledge and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards and state and local childcare license requirements.

Bilingual Spanish / English speaking

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. Occasionally must be able to move needed materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

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

If not certified upon hire, Food Handlers Certificate must be obtained within thirty (30) days of hire.

The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, 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 characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.