Position Summary: 

Serve nutritionally balanced, attractive family-style meals for Memorial Child Care children and staff.  Plans menus taking into account the center budget and state and federal nutritional requirements for children.  Keep an accurate inventory of supplies and orders replacement supplies as needed.  Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Certification in Food Service Sanitation by the State of Illinois Department of Public Health required.
• Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry member
• Provide 3 letters of reference per DCFS requirements
• Hold or be able to obtain, within 90 days, First Aid/CPR certification

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Maintain 20 hours of in-service hours each fiscal year, 5 hours must be from a Gateway Registry-approved training.
• Excellent communication skills. 

Principle Duties & Responsibilities:

Personal Characteristics

1. Displays respect for others.

2. Adapts to changing situations.

3. Is flexible to the daily business demands of the center.

4. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values:

• SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I put safety first in everything I do.  I take action to ensure the safety of others.
• COURTESY: Serve Others - I treat others with dignity and respect.  I project a professional image and positive attitude.
• QUALITY: Improve Outcomes - I continually advance my knowledge, skills and performance.  I work with others to achieve superior results.
• EFFICIENCY: Reduce Waste - I use time and resources wisely.  I prevent defects and delays.

Planning, Preparation

5. Is knowledgeable of state nutritional requirements of children.

6. Submits weekly, monthly and yearly food program reports to ISBE by required deadlines.

7. Plans, posts and follows approved menus that are nutritionally sound, making substitutions as needed, keeps accurate inventory records and places food order, all within center food budget, communicating with MMC Food and Nutrition department to plan monthly menu in a rotation cycle.

8. Prepares and serves food in amounts that are based on the number of children and staff eating that day.

9. Serves food at appropriate temperatures and in appropriate serving containers.

10. Coordinates all ordering of food items for meals and events.

11. Ensures that children with allergies are provided for on a daily basis and during events, communicating with the child’s teacher and families.

12. Is knowledgeable of state nutritional requirements of children.

13. Maintains knowledge in computer skills including word and excel.

Maintenance of Equipment

14. Maintains effective, safe storages for food, cooking and serving supplies, equipment and utensils, and cleaning supplies in accordance with the state and/or local regulations.

15. Keeps the refrigerator, stove, can opener and other appliances clean and in good working order.

16. Lifts and carries bulk food appropriately when delivered and stores food on shelves above and below counter level in accordance with safety guidelines. May involve use of a step stool. 

17. Cleans the kitchen counters and shelves (spills on floors as needed).

Safety and Sanitary Procedures

18. Follows all local regulatory health, safety and hygiene procedures including but not limited to lifting, carrying, hand washing, etc.

19. Cleans garbage can lids as needed.

20. Washes and sanitized dishes and cookware using sanitizing methods as determined by local Health Department.

21. Understands emergency procedures and what to do in cased including but not limited to: fire, tornado, hurricane, chemical leak, CPR/First aid when necessary; including lifting and carrying of injured children.

22. Asks for help and assistance when needed.

23. Maintains positive and supportive business, licensing and regulatory relationships.

24. Works in harmony with other center staff and shows enthusiasm toward the job. Handles routine situations with good judgment, flexibility, and good humor.

25. Participates in and cooperates with group decisions; is a team player.

26. Establishes and maintains a friendly, supportive rapport with the parents.

27. Provides ongoing positive customer service to all parents at all times.

28. Sees situations from the children’s point of view and shares the enjoyment of humorous situations.

29. Encourages children to seek assistance and shows trust and confidence in them.

30. Performs other related work as required or requested.