Head Cook

Company Name:
Lima City Schools
Company Address:
P.O. BOX 2000
Lima, Ohio 45802
Date Job is Available:
September 10th, 2024
Deadline for Application:
September 13th, 2024
Job Description:
Deadline to apply: 9/13/2024   Reports to: Food Service Manager   Job Objective: Directs the preparation of safe, sanitary, and nutritious meals.  Maintains high standards that support the effective delivery of quality food services.  Maintains an orderly and sanitary kitchen.   Minimum Qualifications:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.  Previous commercial cooking work experience is required
  • Post-secondary food service training in food service production and management
  • Meets all mandated health requirements (e.g., a negative tuberculosis test, etc.)
  • A record free of criminal violations that would prohibit public school employment
  • Complies with drug-free workplace rules and all board policies
  • Keeps current with advances in technology and workplace innovations that enhance productivity
  • Successful completion of a board-approved sanitation/food safety course
  • Ability to monitor and manage compliance with nutrition, health, and safety laws/regulations
  • Record maintenance skills.  Ability to accurately compute and record mathematical data
  • Ability and willingness to attend food safety/sanitation, food service management, and other classes/training related to the position
  Essential Functions: The following are typical work responsibilities. A reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform essential functions.  
  • Assists the food service manager with all duties.  Maintains accurate food records, preparation, and inventory sheets.  Instructs staff, supervises, and assists with food preparation activities
  • Learns the duties of, and addresses issues that arise during the absence of the food service manager.  Takes the initiative to perform routine tasks independently
  • Maintains open and effective communications with faculty, students, and the community.  Keeps the food service manager informed about emerging issues
  • Upholds board policies and follows administrative guidelines/procedures.  Refers district policy/procedure questions to administrators/supervisors
  • Advances the district’s professional image.  Promotes effective communications and assistance.  Uses problem-solving techniques to tactfully address questions/concerns
  • Facilitates community partnerships and school-sponsored activities that enhance student learning
  • Provides staff leadership.  Engenders staff enthusiasm and teamwork.  Promotes a safe, efficient, and effective work/learning environment.  Advances the change process.  Implements strategies and time-frames to accomplish organizational objectives.  Helps resolve problems
  • Evaluates performance to ensure that food service programs are effective
  • Prepares daily work sheets, production records, invoices, and banking receipts
  • Maintains accurate inventory records.  Monitors the use of products and supplies to control costs and reduce waste.  Advises the director of food service about the need for additional supplies.  Participates in ordering food and supplies, including commodities
  • Assists with the receipt of deliveries.  Follows approved food safety procedures.  Verifies quantities. Reports shortages and spoiled products.  Organizes, stores, dates, and rotates stock as directed
  • Participates in food service staff selection and orientation processes.  Ensures the equitable distribution of workloads.  Arranges for substitutes during staff absences as needed
  • Trains food service staff and substitutes in procedures to effectively accomplish assigned duties. Instructs and assists staff with sound safety and sanitation practices
  • Assists with staff development programs and department meetings
  • Shares knowledge about advances in operational procedures and equipment technology
  • Promotes professionalism.  Implements locally developed personnel appraisal standards
  • Follows published menus.  Ensures that lunches meet USDA child nutrition guidelines
  • Assists with breakfast as needed
  • Uses standardized recipes to maintain quality control.  Monitors production sheets/work progress.
  • Ensures compliance with district specifications and mandated regulations (e.g., hazard analysis of critical control points, portion size, sanitation procedures, etc.).  Monitors temperature controls.
  • Addresses the needs of students with health conditions that necessitate dietary modifications.
  • Assists other staff as needed to deal with unexpected or urgent situations
  • Instructs staff and assists with the operation of the computer and cash register
  • Directs serving line set up activities and the attractive presentation of food.  Plans for substitute menu items when demand exceeds supply
  • Instructs staff and assists with washing dishes and cookware (e.g., pots, pans, trays, cutlery etc.)
  • Cleans/sanitizes work surfaces, equipment, serving lines, kitchen floors, dining tables, etc
  • Oversees the storage/disposal of leftover food
  • Accounts for all lunches.  Prepares/makes bank deposits.  Submits records to the treasurer’s office
  • Helps with special district events (e.g., banquets, etc.).  Assists rental groups as directed
  • Helps ensure that the kitchen and storage areas are secured at the end of the workday
  • Identifies maintenance needs and notifies the director of food service
  • Reports discipline problems, vandalism, graffiti, equipment malfunctions, and other concerns
  • Upholds the student conduct code.  Maintains high expectations for behavior and performance Helps with pupil management issues.  Prepares student conduct reports as directed
  • Monitors safety concerns.  Works with stakeholders to manage or eliminate risk factors
  • Anticipates and prepares for fire, health, and safety inspections.  Teaches staff how to operate fire/safety equipment.  Documents all injuries that require medical attention on the day of the accident
  • Supervises collection, verification, and recording of program information as directed
  • Manages the accurate and timely completion of reports, records, and inventories
  • Respects personal privacy.  Maintains the confidentiality of privileged information
  • Reports suspected child abuse and/or neglect to civil authorities as required by law
  • Encourages parent organizations and supports school-sponsored activities
  • Pursues growth opportunities that enhance professional performance and advance district goals
  • Strives to develop rapport and serves as a positive role model for others
  • Helps students understand and embrace ethical conduct and democratic values
  • Maintains a professional appearance.  Wears work attire appropriate for the position
  • Performs other specific job-related duties as directed
  Abilities Required: The following personal characteristics and skills are important for the successful performance of assigned duties.
  • Acknowledges personal accountability for decisions and conduct
  • Averts problem situations and intervenes to resolve conflicts
  • Differentiates subtle variances in aroma, color, taste, and texture
  • Effectively uses active listening, observation, reading, verbal, nonverbal, and writing skills
  • Interprets information accurately and initiates effective responses
  • Maintains an acceptable attendance record and is punctual
  • Anticipates time constraints.  Manages tasks efficiently to meet deadlines
  • Skillfully manages individual, group, and organizational interactions
  Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises and evaluates assigned staff under the direction of the director of food service. Assumes responsibility for the results of duties delegated to staff.   Working Conditions: To promote safety, employees are expected to exercise caution and comply with safety regulations and district policies/procedures when involved in the following situations/conditions.
  • Balancing, bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and standing
  • Exposure to adverse weather conditions and temperature extremes
  • Exposure to air-borne particulates, chemical irritants, combustible materials, electrical hazards, equipment vibrations, noises, and odors.  Exposure to wet and/or slippery surfaces
  • Exposure to blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases
  • Interactions with aggressive, disruptive, and/or unruly individuals
  • Lifting, carrying, and moving work-related supplies/equipment
  • Operating and/or riding in a vehicle
  • Performing repetitive tasks quickly
  • Performing tasks that require strenuous physical exertion
  • Traveling to meetings and work assignments
  • Working in proximity to moving mechanical parts
  Performance Evaluation: Job performance is evaluated according to policy provisions and contractual agreements adopted by the Lima City School District Board of Education.   The Lima City School District Board of Education is an equal opportunity employer.  This job description identifies general duties and is not intended to be a complete list of all duties performed.  This document is subject to change in response to student demographics, staffing factors, funding variables, modified operating procedures, and other unforeseen
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.  Previous commercial cooking work experience is required
  • Post-secondary food service training in food service production and management
  • Meets all mandated health requirements (e.g., a negative tuberculosis test, etc.)
  • A record free of criminal violations that would prohibit public school employment
  • Complies with drug-free workplace rules and all board policies
  • Keeps current with advances in technology and workplace innovations that enhance productivity
  • Successful completion of a board-approved sanitation/food safety course
  • Ability to monitor and manage compliance with nutrition, health, and safety laws/regulations
  • Record maintenance skills.  Ability to accurately compute and record mathematical data
  • Ability and willingness to attend food safety/sanitation, food service management, and other classes/training related to the position
How to Apply