Kitchen Assistant

Position Summary:

The Kitchen Assistant is responsible for assisting with the daily meal preparation of the Shelter and cleaning and minor maintenance tasks in the kitchen area.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists with meal preparation in accordance with planned menus and keeping records for Federal School Lunch Program. Meals are defined as Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snack.

• Assists with preparation of evening meals, lunch (when clients are present), set up of evening/after school snacks, and weekend meals (Lunch and Dinner) for warm-up by weekend staff.

• Assists with menu planning in compliance with USDA guidelines and completion of shopping list. Obtains authorization for purchase orders and shops from list.

• Completes production records and maintains labels in compliance with National School Lunch Program

• Keeps kitchen in clean and orderly fashion including mopping kitchen floors as needed.

• Maintains kitchen in accordance with Health Codes.

• Incorporates teaching youth cooking and kitchen skills when appropriate.

• Able to communicate effectively with the Kitchen Manager and Residential Director

• Participates in agency performance quality improvement.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High School education or equivalent with demonstrated ability to cook for a large group.
• Pass a drug screen and maintain a current TB card.
• Must have a current Arkansas Driver's license and insurable under OCYFS's commercial vehicle insurance policy.
• Must receive child maltreatment clearance through the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry.
• Must receive adult maltreatment clearance through Arkansas Protective Services-Adult Maltreatment Central Registry. Must receive Arkansas State Police criminal background clearance as mandated by Arkansas Department of Human Services, Minimum Licensing Standards for Child Welfare Agencies.

Skills and Knowledge:

The kitchen assistant works effectively with all agency staff members, clients and families, human services providers, law enforcement, juvenile court(s) and the community-at-large to ensure positive outcomes for clients receiving services.

• Maintains an organized and sanitary working environment.
• Practices excellent organizational skills.
• Practices and models conflict resolution skills.
• Follows OCYFS code of ethics.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity to OCYFS's clients and families.

Ouachita Children, Youth, and Family Services is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA).