Richmond Early Learning Center (159 Broadway)

$15.00 - $21.00 per hour

Position Summary: Early Childhood (EC) Division at Children’s Aid (CA) is founded on the belief that strong communities are built by children and families who have the access and skills and choice to create pathways to their success. The Early Childhood Department serves over 700 low-income children ages 0-5 and their families in schools and community centers throughout Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx through a combination of Federal, State and City funding. We believe that strong communities are built by children and families who have access, skills and choice to create pathways to their success.

The Cook is responsible for exposing the children to delicious and nutritious foods in order to encourage children to make life-long positive and healthy lifestyle choices. Cooks connect their work to the health of a child and their family, so that they can be successful in Kindergarten and in life. They support the center in meeting and exceeding Head Start Program Performance Standards and other relevant regulatory requirements, maintaining detailed records across relevant areas. The position reports directly to the Program Director, with support from the Children’s Aid Food Service Manager.

• Cook I (Partial Prep) – works in an early childhood program that is based in a Community School. Whether it is delivering meals prepared by the DOE School Foods Department, or making snacks from scratch, all job responsibilities on this description should be followed.

• Cook II (Full Prep) – works in an early childhood program that is based in Community Center. All three meals are prepared from scratch and all job responsibilities on this description should be followed.

Salary: $15.00 - $21.00 (per hour)

Location: Richmond Early Childhood Center - 159 Broadway, Staten Island, NY 10310

Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the site’s Program Director, with support from Children’s Aid Food Service Manager, the Cook’s responsibilities include the following:

Food Preparation

• Preparing and serving all meals and snacks at the Early Childhood site
• Learning and following Children’s Aid menus and recipes

Record Maintenance, Contract Compliance

• Placing food requisitions on a weekly basis
• Receiving food deliveries and signing off on invoices upon delivery
• Maintaining an up-to-date inventory
• Submit daily written CACFP food production records

Family Engagement

• Participate in Healthy Cooking workshops for the families
• Welcome and include eligible parent volunteers in the kitchen

Professional Development

• Participate in offered trainings, workshops, In-Service days, and/or All-Staff conferences
• Maintain certification requirement and proof of attendance in professional activities.
• Support the growth of the center including participating in program-wide goal setting and individual and program self-assessment.
• Check their Children’s Aid email on a regular basis.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to all state and city licensing requirements, teacher child/ratios, and CPR/first aid certification.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment (clean and organized kitchen and storage areas)

And other related duties as assigned, at the discretion of the Educational Director and /or Children’s Aid.

Qualifications: The Cook must have qualifications that satisfy Federal Head Start requirements and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Article 47 regulations.

Certifications: Must hold a valid Department of Health Food Handler’s License issued by New York State.

Other Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to read and follow recipes, and to prepare foods from scratch
• Excellent cooking skills
• Experience managing a foodservice program and a kitchen, including ordering food
• Interest in and some knowledge of healthy eating
• Familiarity with CACFP nutrition guidelines is considered a plus
• Effective communication skills
• Professional approach
• Resourceful & dependable
• Bilingual preferred
• Experience working with infants and toddlers, and children with Special Needs
• Dedicated, excited and passionate about working with young children and families

A review and final determination of credentials and qualifications are reserved for the site Education Director and the Children’s Aid Director of Early Childhood Programs.