Head Cook - Food Service - Webb City R-7 School District

Terms of Employment:  9 months, 7 hours a day; Beginning 2025-2026 school year and future terms

Salary Schedule:  Head Cook

QUALIFICATIONS

1. High School diploma or equivalent
2. ServSafe certification course required within first year of hire
3. Pass Fingerprint Background Check
4. Pass Physical Capabilities Test
5. Knowledge of food service procedures, practices and equipment
6. Knowledge of federal/state health/nutrition requirement
7. Knowledge of proper food handling and sanitation; standard cooking skills
8. Ability to interpret recipes and make necessary adjustments
9. Ability to follow, read and comprehend written and verbal instructions and labels
10. Knowledge and application of computer skills
11. Ability to write routine reports
12. Organizational and time management skills
13. Written and oral communication skills
14. Participate in any training required by the school district

JOB SUMMARY

The Head Cook will supervise and manage all aspects of a school kitchen.  He/she is responsible for the preparation, serving and clean-up of nourishing and attractive meals for District students and staff by complying with all applicable sanitation and health standards and following established food production programs and procedures.

REQUIRED EXPECTATIONS

• Be punctual and have consistent and regular attendance.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of each child by responding to their emotional, social and physical needs, as well as their education needs.
• Supports the mission of the Webb City R-7 School District.
• Supports the value of education.
• Complies with the privacy rights of students; safeguards confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Utilize developmentally appropriate practice and best practice methods at all times.
• Be warm and nurturing with students.
• Be customer service oriented and professional.
• Provide excellent customer service according to the standard of the District.
• Works to meet goals of the department and District with a spirit of cooperation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The duties of the Head Cook will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Follow and ensure implementation of federal, state, local and District regulations.
• Practice and enforce personal hygiene.
• Maintain sanitation standards for equipment, personnel, food and facility.
• Maintain required food service and production records.
• Maintain a neat and orderly kitchen with the highest standards of safety and cleanliness.
• Check food shipments into the school, signing invoices only after each order has been verified.
• Determine the quantities of each food to be prepared daily according to a planned menu using tested and uniform recipes.
• Serve the proper serving sizes to meet the necessary requirements with regard to the ages of those serves as per regulations.
• Arrange food and beverage items for the purpose of serving in an efficient manner.
• Record all meals serves as required by state standards.
• Oversee the locking of the storeroom, freezer, refrigerator and maintains inventory.
• Supervise and assists with the daily cleaning of all kitchen equipment and the washing and sterilizing of all dishes, silverware and utensils in compliance with current health standards.
• Monitor kitchen and cafeteria areas to ensure a safe and sanitary working environment.
• Follow procedures to maintain safe and sanitary conditions in the storage, preparation and service of food.
• Notify Director of Food Service of insects and/or rodents.
• Operate serving line with prompt, courteous and efficient service.
• Evaluate the efficiency of the serving area and serving methods.
• Encourage employees to be pleasant and helpful when serving meals, exchanging money and maintaining facilities.
• Ensure the dining and kitchen areas are attractive and clean.
• Train and supervise employees to use safety precautions when operating and cleaning equipment.
• Report equipment malfunction to the Director of Food Service.
• Models positive behavior for students (i.e. inter-personal communication, processes, social interactions, etc.) for the purpose of providing educational and life skills training.
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, dress and appropriate professional manner for the work setting.
• Demonstrate effective human relations and communication skills.
• Adhere to good safety practices.
• Ability to understand and adhere to all District rules, regulations and policies.
• All other duties as required or assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• stand, walk, sit and talk/hear;
• occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl;
• occasionally push, pull or lift up to 50 lbs; and
• be able to see, including close, distance and depth perception.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.