POSITION:           Cook/Baker

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Prepares and serves food; complying with all applicable state sanitation, health, and personal hygiene standards by following established food production policies and procedures for the health and benefit of the students and staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

An employee hired for this assignment may perform all or some of the responsibilities defined below:

• Cook and prepare daily menu items including production of raw produce, raw proteins and ready to eat (RTW) meals according to district, county and state health requirements following critical control points (CCP) and best HAACP practices
• Ensure purchased and prepared food quality, food safety, and appetizing presentation of all prepared food items according to district and national standards
• Assist kitchen leadership in prep lists, products needed to meet menu requirements, and supplies for professional kitchen performance
• Maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen/work station in neat and orderly condition. Kitchen cleanliness, sanitation and dishwashing to be performed in a “clean-as-you-go” approach
• Keep accurate up-to-date recipes and directions for substitute ingredients
• Maintain all production records of prepared food, food temperatures, substitutions and dietary-restricted meals
• Practice all appropriate and mandated sanitation and health standards, including but not limited to:
  • Maintain and keep record of all products to proper temperature, recording with HACCP best practices and established SOPs
  • Sanitize equipment and work surfaces, prior, during and after all tasks, to avoid cross-contamination of raw foods including meats, vegetables and any other food items
  • Following HACCP procedures when handling all raw food/perishables, including but not limited to; raw chicken, pork and beef. Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and cooked/cooled items must be used
• Responsible for ensuring everything is in place and ready for the team to set up lines for serving students, staff, etc.
• Safely operate, and train other team members on, the professional uses of provided commercial kitchen equipment
• Prepare and plan ahead with a three-day prep/serve to meet the needs of the district menu
• Work as a team within the kitchen on professional practices and as a mentor of kitchen substitutes when present
• Substitute in other department positions as necessary

Each of the positions in the Nutrition Services Department serves as one unit of the whole team, and as such, is subject to assist or is assigned to tasks in other positions within the classification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be able to work in a team setting and take direction
• Demonstrated knowledge of district policies and procedures relating to Nutrition Services as well as the federal, state and local laws/requirements in the following areas:
  • Breakfast and lunch menu patterns, USDA rules and regulations
  • Proper methods of preparing (including baking) ingredients in large quantities
  • Ability to fill in for the cook/baker as required on an infrequent basis
• Ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as culinary math skills (with the understanding of AP (as purchased) and EP (edible portion) in regards to meals served and recipe conversions)
• Ability to promote nutrition education in kitchen, classroom and service line
• Ability to be self-motivated and capable of working in a team setting
• Ability to work with computers and handle cash
• Ability to remain calm in times of high stress
• Ability to move quickly to meet student needs and maintain safety
• Must possess organizational skills, including but not limited to; paperwork organization and kitchen logistics
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, co-workers, and the public
• Demonstrate basic computer skills, including the ability to create and modify documents and to adapt to new technologies
• Must have access to reliable transportation

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Required to deal with a wide range of behaviors and needs in a positive and service-oriented manner
• May experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to district needs
• Sustain mental awareness while also maintaining attention to details and safety requirements
• May occasionally deal with distraught or difficult people

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 45 pounds
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 65 pounds
• Exposure to subzero conditions (freezer) and extreme heat conditions (oven) as necessary for food production
• Amount of sitting, standing and walking may vary depending on projects/tasks. Generally, the job requires 50% walking and 50% standing
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: the employee frequently will stand and walk and use hands for repetitive grasping and significant fine finger dexterity, often assembling very small objects. The employee is frequently required to sit, bend at neck and back, twist body, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry, squat, kneel, stoop, crouch, knee stand, crawl, climb stairs or ladders, reach overhead, and lift overhead

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent and related work experience
• Minimum two years of professional culinary arts, with food production experience in a leadership role, required
• Must hold a current and valid food handler’s permit
• Must have and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License
• Ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as culinary math skills*
• Membership in American Culinary Federation is preferred
• ServeSafe certification is preferred
• Previous cashier experience at point of sale preferred

*Testing may be used to determine knowledge of pertinent skills

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Nutrition Services Classification on Public School Employees of Cheney Salary Schedule
• School year position: 182 days; hours per day and days per week vary by position; district may revise assignment and job location as needed

CLEARANCES

WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

EVALUATION

The employee shall be evaluated per the terms of the Public School Employees (PSE) Collective Bargaining Agreement by the building principal, department director, or designee. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above Duties and Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Must complete school safety training within thirty (30) calendar days from hire date and annually thereafter
• Must acquire and maintain CPR/First Aid card within sixty (60) calendar days from hire date and as scheduled thereafter
• Attend designated trainings as specified by supervisor and/or department director in order to maintain knowledge/skills
• Submit current/renewed licenses to Human Resources upon attaining

HISTORY

Job description and format updated: November 2024

Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Tom Arlt, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4507.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER