Senior Cook

at Northlands Job Corps in Vergennes, Vermont, United States

Job Description

Northlands Job Corps is seeking an experienced Senior Cook to prepare meals for students and staff and support the daily operation of the center’s food-service program. This position assists with menu planning, determines appropriate food quantities, maintains inventory and production records, and helps ensure that meals are prepared and served safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

The Senior Cook also provides direction and hands-on guidance to culinary arts and work-based learning students assigned to the kitchen and serving lines.

• Prepare appropriate quantities of food based on established menus and the number of students and employees being served.
• Follow all local, state, and federal food-safety regulations and proper food-handling procedures.
• Coordinate the preparation and timely setup of food on serving lines.
• Assist with serving meals and direct students assigned to serving-line duties.
• Complete daily production sheets, food pull sheets, and inventory-control records.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of food and supplies and request additional items as needed.
• Record and monitor required food temperatures in accordance with HACCP procedures.
• Ensure leftover food is properly covered, labeled, stored, or disposed of.
• Maintain clean and sanitary kitchen, dining, storage, and food-preparation areas.
• Identify and report unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
• Supervise and assist culinary arts and work-based learning students with safe food preparation, service, sanitation, and storage practices.
• Help maintain an organized, respectful, and productive kitchen environment.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as needed to support the ongoing needs of the organization.

• Knowledge of food-preparation, storage, safety, and sanitation requirements.
• Knowledge of methods for preparing, cooking, and serving food in a cafeteria or institutional setting.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the timing and sequence of food-preparation tasks.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students and staff.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and similar computer applications.

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least two years of related experience in a cafeteria, institutional kitchen, or food-service setting.

• Current ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain certification.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends.

This position requires the ability to:

• Read labels, menus, instructions, safety information, and food-service records.
• Communicate effectively with students, coworkers, and supervisors.
• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Bend, kneel, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive hand movements.
• Safely operate kitchen utensils, appliances, and food-service equipment.
• Retrieve, move, and store food, supplies, and equipment.
• Occasionally lift and carry items necessary for food-service operations.
• Work in indoor and outdoor environments with exposure to heat, steam, smoke, grease, cleaning products, sharp utensils, moving equipment, elevated noise levels, and other conditions commonly found in a commercial kitchen.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, unless doing so would create an undue hardship or a direct safety risk.

Please submit a cover letter and résumé to northlandshumanresources@jobcorps.org.

Northlands Job Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.