Kitchen Classroom Assistant- Head Start

Join our team at Kitsap Community Resources as a Head Start Kitchen-Classroom Assistant! This position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young children by ensuring they have nutritious meals and snacks to fuel their learning and growth. It's a chance to be part of a meaningful mission, connect with a supportive community, and contribute to the health and happiness of the next generation!

KCR offers comprehensive benefits including paid time off for vacation, sick days, and holidays, along with 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage for employees. In addition, we provide a 6.5% employer contribution to 401K after the first year, plus access to employee assistance, wellness initiatives, and professional growth and development training programs.

Please apply at kcr.org/career-opportunities/. If you need assistance with your application please contact Human Resources.

Job Title: Kitchen-Classroom Assistant
Department: Early Learning & Family Services
Fixed Starting Wage: $17.50/hr
Position Type: Full Time, 34 hours per week, Non-Exempt
Direct Supervisor: Health Services Manager
Work Environment: In person, kitchen-classroom setting. Site location: Park/Elizabeth

The Kitchen-Classroom Assistant is responsible for the preparation and delivery of meals and snacks for young children. This position requires to maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment and to follow the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines. In addition, the Kitchen-Classroom Assistant may be required to assist the Head Start teachers in the classroom.

Mission:
Kitsap Community Resources (KCR) is a nonprofit, private, social services agency. We are committed to creating hope and opportunity for all low-income Kitsap County residents by providing resources that promote self-sufficiency and stability.

Vision:
We exist with a clear vision of creating a community where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

Core Values:
Kitsap Community Resources core values are a vital part of each position, and employees are expected to uphold them to the fullest.

• Integrity – taking care to honor our commitments in an ethical manner
• Compassion – genuinely empathizing with those we serve
• Excellence – demonstrating a high level of performance in all we do
• Diversity – showing honor and respect to all individuals we serve
• Collaboration – so we seek out partnership opportunities
• Teamwork – supporting our employees and partners as we fulfill our mission

Job Requirements

Required Education/Experience/Health:

1. Required Education: High School Diploma or GED
2. Previous experience in food service, early learning center, school, or a related field preferred.
3. Ability to pass State and/or Federal Background Checks prior to hire date.
4. Tuberculosis (TB) test upon employment
5. Show immunity to the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) before working in the center or have a medical or religious exemption on file.
6. Initial physical exam within 90 days of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

1. Must demonstrate recognition and compassion for low-income families and children.
2. Basic knowledge of food preparation, safety, and sanitation practices.
3. Ability to follow instructions, menus, recipes, and portion guidelines accurately.
4. Strong organizational and time-management skills.
5. Effective communication and teamwork abilities.

License(s) and/or Certifications:

1. CPR/First Aid Certification Card (within 90 days of employment)
2. Food Worker Card (upon employment)
3. Certifications as required by position and timeframe for requirement, noting source of certification such as federal, state, professional.

Essential Physical and Mental Functions

1. Must be able to stand for extended periods, reaching above shoulder level, perform repetitive tasks such as bending, reaching, and twisting.
2. Must be able to work in a kitchen environment with exposure to hot surfaces, sharp tools, and cleaning chemicals.
3. Must be able to withstand exposure to noise in a classroom setting.
4. Must be able to build secure, nurturing relationships with children and families.
5. Cognitive ability to recognize and address safety concerns.
6. Requires accuracy, good communication, judgement, and the ability to remain calm and provide appropriate information.
7. Must be able to work outside in a variety of weather conditions.
8. Cognitive ability to discern accuracy and apply to work as necessary.

Key Responsibilities- Included but are not limited to

1. Assist in the preparation of meals and snacks according to established menus and portion sizes.
2. Know classroom food allergies and intolerances and able to follow child’s nutrition plan; and provide proper substitutions.
3. Serve meals to classrooms and ensure timely delivery of food items.
4. Clean and sanitized kitchen equipment, and food preparation areas in compliance with local health and safety regulations.
5. Ensure proper storage of food and supplies, adhering to food safety guidelines.
6. Keep kitchen organized and maintain an orderly workspace.
7. Adhere to USDA CACP (Child Adult Care Food Program) guidelines, Head Start Performance Standards, and local health department regulations.
8. Maintain accurate kitchen logs.
9. Assist in the classroom as needed and provide support to the classroom staff.
10. Be able to effectively communicate to KCR Food Services regarding food deliveries, or any food safety issue or concerns.
11. Attend site team meetings along with kitchen staff meetings and trainings.
12. Accept other duties as assigned.

Work/Life Balance

KCR offers a robust benefits package to support balance between work and life outside the workplace.

1. Vacation, Sick, Personal Holiday, and other time off for life events such as Jury Duty, Bereavement, etc.
2. 100% Employer paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long-term and Short-term Disability for employee only (dependents can be covered through payroll deduction)
3. 6.5% Employer Contribution to 401K after first 12-18 months of employment
4. Employee Assistance Program
5. Employee Wellness Program
6. Employee Growth & Development Training Programs
7. Communicates regularly with co-workers and supervisor/manager to relate wellness levels and awareness

All duties and requirements listed in this job description are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position; employees will be requested to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Kitsap Community Resources reserves the right to determine the contents of KCR job descriptions.

Kitsap Community Resources is an “at-will” employer.

KCR recognizes that ideas come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. KCR is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, by honoring experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of the community in which we serve. KCR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, nation of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.

KITSAP COMMUNITY RESOURCES (KCR) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. KCR is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at KCR are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, pregnancy, age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. KCR will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.