Cook

COOK

General Statement of Duties : Prepares and serves food to senior citizens, packages food for home delivery, cleans and sterilizes equipment and kitchen, and cleans dining area.  This position is in our Senior Center,  M-F, day shift with no weekends or evenings.

Distinguishing Features of the Class : An employee in this class prepares meals, following an approved menu. Work includes cooking, packing food for home delivered meals, and serving on-site meals. The employee is responsible for cleanliness and sanitation of dishes, pots and pans, and all food preparation equipment, plus the kitchen and dining area. Duties also include recording food and supplies used on a daily basis. Considerable public contact is involved in relating to the senior citizens who are served on-site meals and the volunteers who help serve and deliver meals. Some judgment is required in determining how much food to prepare. The employee in this class is exposed to cleaning chemicals, hot water and food, and potentially dangerous equipment (meat-slicer, food processor, etc.) and must abide by all safety rules and regulations. The employee must also meet stringent sanitation requirements. Work is performed under daily supervision and is evaluated through observation, discussion and an annual review.

Essential Duties and Tasks : Examines supplies to determine that quantities are sufficient to prepare required number of meals; requisitions additional or substitute supplies if items are insufficient. Gathers food items and prepares food for cooking. Makes sure food is held at proper temperatures in refrigerator, freezer and prior to service. Observes food while cooking, adjust seasonings, adjusts temperature to increase or decrease cooking time, removes when done, and places food in steam table or warmer. Dips food onto trays, using proper measuring utensils; cuts meats into serving portions. Places milk into coolers and covers with ice; dips food, and places into carriers for home delivered meals; dips food for Child Daycare and Adult Daycare. Serves congregate meals. Cleans and sanitizes all utensils, food preparation equipment, ranges, counters, refrigerators and freezers; wipes down walls; sweeps and mops kitchen and dining area; cleans exhaust system. Completes daily inventory sheet for food and supplies used. Additional Job Duties Cleans ovens, refrigerators, freezers, and exhaust system. Performs related duties as required.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities : Considerable knowledge of the hazards involved in the work and related safety precautions. Considerable knowledge of methods for preparing and cooking food in large quantities. Considerable knowledge of nutritional, portion, and sterilization requirements and regulations. General knowledge of the use and adaptability of various pieces of cooking equipment used in commercial or institutional kitchens. Ability to maintain high standards of personal cleanliness as well as food sanitation. Ability to perform simple mathematical calculations. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with supervisors, other employees, volunteers, and senior citizen participants. Ability to work successfully in a collaborative team approach. Ability to interact effectively with senior citizens.

Physical Requirements Must be able to perform basic life functions including stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform medium work : exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and / or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and / or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Must possess visual acuity for using measuring devices, reading menus and contents of food packaging, and reading gauges.

Desirable Education and Experience :   Graduation from high school and some experience in food preparation in large quantities; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  ServSafe food handling preferred, or willingness to obtain with 3 months.

Rev.2023 Special Note : This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a job questionnaire with a physical abilities checklist that can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.