Position Summary
The Food Aide provides support for the Early Childhood and Head Start programs by coordinating the food programs for the agency.
Key Responsibilities:
Manage and Handle Food:
- Receive and weigh food, take food temperature upon arrival, and stock food items as needed.
- Prepare and deliver food to all classrooms in a timely manner, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
- Take food temperature upon serving, divide food into appropriate portions, and prepare all food in accordance with the Child Care Food and Licensing Guidelines.
- Prepare food substitutions when applicable and document substitutions on the menu.
- Prepare and order food for field trips and special events.
- Observe classrooms to ensure proper portions are distributed, and family-style eating is occurring.
- Take trips to the local grocery store to purchase additional needed food supplies.
Cleaning and Maintenance:
- Wash and sanitize dishes and kitchen surfaces and operate dishwashers.
- Clean and disinfect refrigerators, coolers, freezers, tables, chairs, stoves, counters, hoods, mixers, blenders, toasters, and other kitchen equipment.
- Transport and collect all dishes and food containers from the classrooms.
- Ensure that all appliances are in good working condition.
- Regularly defrost freezers according to the specified timeline.
- Maintain a clean and organized pantry and storage areas.
Communication:
- Coordinate orders and deliveries with food caterers.
- Communicate with the Site Director and Health Coordinator about delivery or kitchen equipment concerns and when new supplies need to be ordered.
- Maintains communication with family worker and site director regarding scheduled parent meetings.
- Maintains communication with the site director and teacher regarding food experiences with teachers and site director.
- Maintains communication with the Site Director for special events such as the End of the Year Celebration.
Other Duties As Assigned
Education and/or Experience:
- High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
- Food Sanitation Certificate.
Qualifications:
- Incumbents must possess a Food and Sanitation Certificate from the City of Chicago.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated capability to interface and maintain effective relationships with staff, consultants, and regulatory/funding representatives in a team-oriented environment.
- Capacity to assume responsibility for own professional development.
- Detail-oriented, logical, and methodological approach to problem-solving.
- Ability to plan and schedule the work of others.
- Flexible, with the ability to work in a highly demanding, stressful environment.
- Proficiency in using word-processing systems.
- Ability to cooperate successfully as a member of a team.
- Ability to communicate effectively with others, including giving and receiving feedback on the quality of services.
- Meet any specific content area requirements.
- Ability to read and speak English proficiently.
- Bilingual-Spanish preferred.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
- Covid-19 Note: In the spirit of caring for one another and our community, please note that upon accepting an offer of employment from Mary Crane, you will be required to share proof of a COVID-19 vaccination upon eligibility. You may apply for a Medical or Religious Exemption in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Mary Crane does daily temperature checks as well.