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COOK, HEAD START

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VACANCY ANN#: STOI-23-115
TITLE: COOK
DEPARTMENT: HEAD START
LOCATION: WELLPINIT, WA
SALARY LEVEL: HR 1, MIN $15.73, MID $19.66, MAX $23.59 / HOUR
STATUS: REGULAR, FULL-TIME
OPENING DATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2023
CLOSING DATE: DECEMBER 04, 2023

INTRODUCTION:

The Spokane Tribe of Indians Head Start Program is designed to promote the school readiness of low-income children by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development—

  • in a learning environment that supports children’s growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, physical skills, and approaches to learning; and
  • through the provision to low-income children and their families of health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services that are determined, based on family needs assessments, to be necessary.

The Head Start Cook reports to and receives direction from the Director.  The Cook is responsible for the weekly shopping for ingredients and preparing Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks for the Head Start Program following guidelines from the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) and USDA programs.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

  • Work cooperatively as part of the Head Start team to provide comprehensive and professional services in the best interest of children and families and the Head Start community.
  • Design and implement nutrition services that are culturally and developmentally appropriate.
  • Meet the nutritional needs of and accommodate the feeding requirements of each child, including children with special dietary needs and children with disabilities.
  • Collaborate with the Head Start Director to create menus with reimbursable meals following the CACFP and USDA guidelines.
  • Ensure each child in the program receives meals and snacks that provide one half to two thirds of the child’s daily nutritional needs.
  • Serve three- to five-year-olds meals and snacks that conform to USDA requirements and are high in nutrients and low in fat, sugar, and salt.
  • Collaborate with the Head Start Director to create and update weekly shopping lists.
  • Complete the weekly grocery shopping to acquire the ingredients/items needed.
  • Contribute to the Head Start team by maintaining a positive attitude, being patient and friendly with the children, and by being professional in appearance and actions.
  • Actively contribute to the program with resourcefulness, organization, effective time management and cooperation.
  • Model appropriate behaviors and responses to challenging situations.
  • Promote the growth, development and health of Head Start students by providing them with healthy, balanced meals that expose them to new food items.
  • Maintain organized and accurate daily meal counts, Production and Menu records for the meals produced as well as a file that contains nutrition labels
  • Prepare for and Participate in the CACFP Center Site Review process.
  • Attend the annual Child Nutrition Conference (optional).
  • Provide effective and nurturing cook-child interactions
  • Perform job duties with the highest level of confidentiality, ensuring safety of all children, family and staff records and information in accordance with Tribal Policy.
  • Help children learn to get along with others and encourage feelings of empathy and mutual respect among children and adults.
  • Maintain sanitation and safety practices throughout the program that ensure a safe environment—to include daily deep cleaning of the kitchen and workspace.
  • Participate in Family engagement events at Head Start (some of which may be after normal working hours)
  • Demonstrate ability to relate well to and coordinate with the population served, especially low-income Spokane Indian Reservation population.
  • Comply with applicable laws, policies and procedures (State, Federal and Tribal).
  • Report cases of child abuse and neglect by serving as a mandated reporter.
  • Be willing to fill in as needed as part of the Head Start Team.
  • Take pride in the appearance of the Head Start facility and help to maintain the necessary daily upkeep—to include, assisting with the daily sanitizing/cleaning of the Head Start building.
  • The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be require

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED FOR POSITION:

  • Familiarity with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP); Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) sections 210, 220, 226; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) school lunch program guidelines; and Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) Nutrition section
  • Possess a basic understanding of the scope of the Head Start effort and Head Start Performance Standards.
  • Must be able to organize and prioritize work and manage time effectively.
  • Must maintain strict confidentiality.
  • Understanding of Early childhood Developmental Stages, appropriate preschool practices and trauma informed care.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to relate well to, and coordinate with the population served, especially low-income Spokane Indian Reservation population.
  • Must contribute to the Head Start team in a positive and productive manner with reliability, patience and consistency.
  • Must work well with others in a professional manner.
  • Maintain organized and accurate records

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be at least 18 years old and have a High School Diploma or GED
  • Valid Washington State Driver’s License and ability to be Tribally insured
  • Must have familiarity with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), USDA school lunch program guidelines, and Head Start Early Learning Knowledge Center (ECLKC) Nutrition section.

 

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

  • Food Handler’s Permit
  • First Aid, CPR, Bloodborne Pathogen certification, and Mandated Reporter Training to be obtained during orientation period.
  • TB test and vaccination record

 

 

*SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION

 

*SECTION 101.630: This position will have regular contact with and/or over children as part of their job duties.

 

Must Apply On-line: https://spokanetribe.bamboohr.com/careers/263?source=aWQ9MjA%3D

 

 

 

Contact: Sabrina McCoy or Empero Corral

Ph: 509-458-6583 or 458-6527 Fax: 509-458-6556

E-mail: hrfrontdesk@spokanetribe.com

Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date.

The Spokane Tribe reserves the right to hire according to its Indian Preference Hiring Policy

All Applicants are subject to a Pre-Employment Drug Test, Safety Sensitive Positions Also Test for Marijuana

All Positions with the Spokane tribe of Indians are subject to a 90-day orientation period