Head Cook - Nestucca High School

Northwest Regional Education Service District
United States, Oregon, Cloverdale
Jun 28, 2025
Position Title: Head Cook Location: Nestucca High School Reports To: Food Service Director FLSA Status: Nonexempt Salary: $18.46 - $21.94 (Depending on experience) FTE: 1.0 (8 duty hours) Contract Days: 182 GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Head Cook plays a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of students through the provision of nutritious meals. This position requires a dedicated individual with a passion for nutrition, culinary excellence, and student success. The Head Cook is responsible for managing the school meal program within the educational institution. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that students have access to nutritious and appetizing meals that comply with federal, state, and local regulations. The Head Cook works closely with the Food Service Director, Food Service Coordinator, school administrators, teachers, students, and parents to create a positive and supportive food environment conducive to student health and academic success. QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Desired: A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience in food service management, preferably in a school or institutional setting. Knowledge of and ability to operate equipment used in school kitchens. Obtain and maintain a valid Tillamook County Food Handler's card throughout the course of employment. Ability to work as a part of a team and able to function independently. Possess or have the ability to gain knowledge of Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition program regulations and requirements. Ability to prepare food planned for the proper nutritional needs of students within the requirements of Child Nutrition Programs. Ability to keep accurate records. Exhibit professionalism and effective human relations. General knowledge of computer usage and ability to use database software, e-mail, internet software, spreadsheets and word processing software. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXCERCISED Receives supervision from the Food Service Director. This position may oversee student support staff, but has no employee supervision responsibilities. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Menu Planning and Development: Develop nutritious and well-balanced menus that meet USDA guidelines, dietary regulations, and nutritional standards. Ensure that meals are appealing and appetizing to students to encourage participation in the school meal program. Inventory Management: Manage inventory levels efficiently to minimize waste and ensure availability of necessary items. Food Preparation and Safety: Oversee food preparation, cooking, and serving processes to maintain cleanliness, hygiene, and safety standards. Implement proper food handling practices and ensure compliance with sanitation regulations. Conduct regular inspections and audits to assess kitchen operations and address any deficiencies promptly. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Performs some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned. Responsible for day-to-day operations. Plan, prepare and maintain successful food service operations. Responsible for accounting of meals served, number of meals served, milk and quantity served following the USDA guidelines for portion control. Maintain accurate, complete and correct records. Ensure prescribed quantities of foods and supplies are available in schools to control food costs and limit waste. Order, check in and properly store food and supplies while maintaining accurate inventory and records. Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and Local regulations and policies. Participate cooperatively with the Food Service Director to maintain and improve program design, and procedures. Maintain professional growth by attending and actively participating in meetings, seminars and workshops and presenting continuing education material during department meetings. Ensure cleanliness, care and maintenance of kitchen and equipment. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary and work year to be according to the current negotiated contract. EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of Board policy. WORKPLACE EXPECTATIONS: Establish and maintain a positive and respectful working relationship with students, staff, administration, parents/guardians and community members. Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with staff and customers at all organizational levels (listening to others without interrupting, keeping emotions under control, remaining open to others' ideas and focusing on solving conflicts). Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about participants, families and staff. Maintain dependable and consistent attendance and punctuality. Follow all laws, District policies, rules, regulations, memos, announcements and reasonable requests by proper authority. ADA REQUIREMENTS FOR ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, feel, slice, stir, and reach with hands and arms, climb up and down step stool, bend under tables, twist from the waist, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 60 pounds Specific vision abilities required by this job including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time, as it deems advisable. The Nestucca Valley School District is an equal opportunity employer and provides services to the public on an equal opportunity basis and does not discriminate in employment or the provision of public services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, citizenship or marital status. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities or individuals with limited proficiency in English. Contact the District Office for assistance at 503.392.3194 x408. Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Human Resources Officer at 503-392-3194 x408 for additional information or assistance. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.