$1,000 Hiring Bonus - for external candidates (50% after 90 days of employment and 50% after one year of employment)

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life. Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

The Cook is responsible for the ordering, preparing, serving and documenting of meals and snacks. This includes following menus and incorporating all phases of kitchen operations including inventory control. The position is responsible for the smooth operations and functioning of the kitchen in adherence of health and food safety codes and for the strict cleanliness of the kitchen and food service and storage areas. The Cook prepares foods for preschool children and/or infants and toddlers following USDA/CACFP standards. The position may involve reassignment to other centers as deemed necessary for program operations. This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement, communication, competent people and clear priorities. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

Food Service

• Prepares and serves all meals approved by a registered dietician/nutritionist. Assists in any food related activities, as directed, including the preparation of food to meet the needs of children with special needs or disabilities, paying attention to food presentation and freshness. Ensures that dishes and equipment are returned, cleaned and stored for the next meal.
• Oversees the maintenance of inventory for all necessary supplies, food, and equipment used for food services operations. Oversees the processing and storage of food and food related items as they are delivered. Oversees full kitchen operations and may supervise additional staff or volunteer assistance (depending on size and scope of workload).
• Implements a cost effective food service program according to federal, state and local regulations by helping to control food and labor costs.
• Ensures that standardized recipes are followed and appropriate quantities of food are prepared and served in accordance with the CACFP meal requirements. Monitors the acceptance of menu items by children in the program and makes recommendation for menu changes accordingly. Solicits menu ideas from Early Learning families to ensure that the menu is reflective of local culture and that menu items are: familiar to children. In addition, offers new foods for children and families to try.·
• Acts as a resource and a team member with program staff to plan food-related experiences and present food in a manner that facilitates family style meal services for children and classroom staff in the classroom.
• Ensures that individual needs are met for infants and toddlers.
• Notifies supervisor of any safety or health issues or concerns as soon as they are identified.
• Contributes articles, recipe ideas, etc., to Early Learning newsletter on a regular basis.

Child and Adult Care Food Program

• Contributes to the collection and edit processes of correct documentation for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Understands CACFP requirements regarding portions and components of each meal service.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: HS Diploma or GED, Food preparation experience, Experience complying with federal, state or local food permit/health requirements. Experience in quantity food preparation and inventory control is preferred. Previous 0-5 child care experience preferred. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Current Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Current First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal records check (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment.

Hourly Rate: $15.82 per hour

Location: South Holland, IL

• This position will work in the southwest suburbs of Chicago at $15.82 per hour plus $1,000 hiring bonus (50% at 90 days of employment and 50% after 1yr of employment).

IL Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer.

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.

As established by the Illinois Action for Children Board of Directors, all employees are required to receive a vaccination against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious reasonable accommodation is approved. If offered a job, the candidate must be able to prove that they have been vaccinated with one of the CDC-authorized vaccines, including either Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson / Janssen or request and be granted an accommodation before their start date.