Head Cook of Older Adult Centers

Position Title

Head Cook of Older Adult Centers

Program

Older Adult Centers

Site/Location

East Side House Settlement

Melrose Senior Center, Paterson Senior Center, Borinquen Senior Center

FLSA-Classification

Non-exempt

Salary

$25/hr.

Reports To

Program Director or (Coordinator in Directors absence)

Date

Immediate

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/ Objective

East Side House Settlement (ESH) is a community resource in the South Bronx. We believe education is the key that enables all people to create economic and civic opportunities for themselves, their families, and the communities. ESH’s Food and Nutrition and wraparound services aligns with our mission by maintaining the nutritional health for older adults through congregate meals in community centers, responding to the community needs through provision of resources and creation of sustainability of food services throughout the programs in the organization.

Reporting to the Director of Older Adult Programs and serving as an integral member of the ESH team, the Head Cook is responsible for oversight of kitchens across the three community centers. The Head Cook will oversee kitchen operations with an unparalleled commitment to comply with all applicable sanitation, health and personal hygiene standards and following established food production programs and procedures.

Essential Functions:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Older Adult Programs, the Head Cook will manage the day-to-day planning and operation of the older adult center kitchens. The Head Cook is responsible for appropriate use of facility supplies and equipment to minimize loss, waste and fraud. Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Determining amount and type of food and supplies required for all sites, using menus and food production systems.
• Ensures availability of supplies and food or approved substitutions in adequate time for preparation.
• Prepares well-balanced, nutritious, appetizing meals daily by accurately following menus, ensuring that meals are prepared on time and correct portions are served at the appropriate temperature.
• Prepares an appropriate amount of food utilizing standards set by the program funder. Correctly prepares all food served following standard recipes and special diet considerations for older adults.
• Ensures that all food is prepared and stored properly and in accordance with all food safety and sanitation guidelines and regulations. Refrigerator/freezer temperatures must be taken daily and adjustments made as needed. Food temperatures must be taken at appropriate times and recorded as required and stores food properly and safely, marking the date and item.
• Responsible for doing an inventory of foods/supplies monthly, provide food orders on a biweekly basis ensuring to include substitution foods for special dietary needs/restrictions.
• Reports necessary equipment repair and maintenance to supervisor.
• Plans for food production to coordinate with meal serving hours so that quality, temperature and appearance of food are preserved.
• Maintains daily production records and submits production records to supervisor monthly.
• Maintains all milk logs, refrigerator cleaning logs, temperature logs.
• Observes good sanitation practices in all aspects of food preparation, food service and clean-up as required by the sanitizing guidelines and the NYC Department of Health. Specifically: Dishes are to be washed and disinfected properly, dishes must be air-dried, food items must be disposed of appropriately (food is never to leave the building in edible form), non-food items, such as coats and purses, are not to be in the kitchen area.
• Keeps a well-organized kitchen.
• Covers for cook & Kitchen aide at other centers when needed.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. During required periods of operational closures/changes, East Side House Settlement will re-issue operating protocols accordingly.

Required Education, Experience and Skills:

• High School Diploma
• NYC Dept. of Health Food Handler’s Certificate
• Experienced in designing, planning, and implementing needs for nutrition programs.
• Analytical skills to evaluate and process information and data and make operational decisions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and assess priorities and actions.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Thorough understanding of DFTA policies and procedures.
• Have an understanding of the Elderly Population with the ability to communicate effectively with them in a caring non-prejudice manner.
• Effective communication skills, including strong public speaking, writing, and organizational skills.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish preferred) a plus

Competencies:

• Customer Service
• Problem Solving/ Analysis
• Communication Proficiency
• Teamwork Orientation
• Customer/Client Focus
• Time Management
• Teamwork Orientation

Supervisory Responsibility

This position oversees the daily performance of kitchen staff and collaborates with the Program Director for performance management.

Travel

Travel is primarily during the business day to older adult centers, affiliated ESH programs, and/or other agency/ program partners.

Work Environment

This job operates in a kitchen environment, housed with equipment such as an oven, stove, dishwasher, slicer, coffee machine, steamer, mixer and chefs’ knives. The employee is frequently exposed to heat, steam, fire and noise.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, for an 8-hour day and occasional weekends and holidays. Days and hours of work will range within and to cover the shift of operations from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Days/hours subject to change based on ESH’s program needs.

Remote Work

This position is not eligible for remote work. Availability and visibility on site for staff and clients is essential to the success of the operation.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

AAP/EEO Statement

ESH encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.