Child Care Cook

JOB PURPOSE:

Preparing meals for the NTU Child Care Center, menu recording, food transporting, snack preparation, washing dishes, janitorial duties, nutrition education, assist child care aide, and child supervision.  Adhere to Navajo Nation Child Care Development Fund Program guidelines and requirements.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Food Preparation, serving, and mealtime oversight.

1. Preparing all meals; breakfast, snack, lunch, including nutrition education.
2. Serve daily family style eating.
3. Sanitize eating areas after all meals.
4. Grocery shopping.
5. Manage food menu records and documents.
6. Maintain proper storage of all food, thawing of foods, and proper food labeling.
7. Ensure product rotation using first-in-first-out (FIFO) methodology; checks refrigeration units, shelves new product and makes sure old product is utilized first.
8. Adhere to Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines and requirements.

2. Nutrition Education

1. Prepare and apply lesson plans with developmentally appropriate activities.
2. Sets up classroom environment.
3. Manage documentation of nutrition education activities.

3.  Sanitizing, laundry, and child safety.

1. Knows and complies with environmental health law and regulations.
2. Keeps the center clean and healthful.  Washes, rinses and sanitizes dishes, and equipment.
3. Sanitizes classroom equipment, and learning materials daily.
4. Practices personal hygiene with children.

4.  Support the Child Care Aides

1. Supervises children ages six (6) months to nine (9) years, ensuring a                                         safe, healthy learning environment.
2. Implement lesson plans in a manner that will develop each child’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social behavior; assists with planned activities to stimulate growth in language, social, and motor skills.
3. Performs other job duties as assigned.

MINIUMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

1. High School Diploma/GED
2. One (1) Year experience working with young children.
3. Current Food Handlers Permit
4. First Aid and CPR certification.
5. Valid and clean state driver’s license.
6. Technical knowledge and skills.
7. Must be able to pass Federal and Navajo Nation background check, with NO prior convictions of any felonies and no history of child abuse and/or neglect.

The Navajo Nation Preference in Employment Act applies to all hiring, promotions or transfers of individuals into this position. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

§  Knowledge of food preparation methods and techniques.

§  Knowledge of operation of food preparation equipment and machinery.

§  Knowledge of operation of holding ovens.

§  Knowledge of Native American dishes.

§  Skill in cooking and preparing a variety of foods.

§  Skill in safely using kitchen equipment.

§  Ability to interact, and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.

§  Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.

§  Ability to communicate effectively in the Navajo and English language.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

§  While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand for prolonged periods, walk and sit.

§  Use hands for dexterity of motion.

§  Stoop, bend, kneel or crouch.

§  Have normal auditory, visual acuity, and verbal communications skills. 

§  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

§  Work is typically performed within an office and kitchen environment with loud noises.

§  Exposure to heat, cold, fumes and steam.

§  Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. 

Evening and/or weekend work may be required.  Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.