Head Cook

Head Cook

Job Description

Organizational Summary

Union Settlement is an East Harlem based nonprofit organization founded in 1895. For 128 years, Union Settlement has provided critical and innovative programming to children, youth, families, and older adults. As a pioneer of the settlement house movement, Union Settlement continues to meet the needs of the ever-changing East Harlem community through its core programs. Through these programs, New Yorkers gain opportunities, develop skills, and become empowered to pursue and achieve their dreams.

Today, Union Settlement provides services through 33 program sites in approximately 28 locations. Union Settlement’s current programmatic portfolio includes 8 core program areas: Early Childhood Education, Youth Services (including after school programs), Family Services (including the Family Enrichment Center and the Family Childcare Network), the East Harlem Community Partnership, Adult Education, Mental Health Services, Older Adult Centers, and Economic Development. Union Settlement serves more than 10,000 individuals and nearly 1,000 businesses every year.

Strengthened by a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative workforce of more than 350 employees, Union Settlement also serves as a connector, convener, and advocate for East Harlem and its partners. To learn more about Union Settlement, visit www.unionsettlement.org .

Position: Head Cook

Department: Aging, Health & Wellness Services (AHWS)

Reports to: Kitchen Manager, AHWS

Hours: Full -Time

Salary: $23.50 per hour

FLSA : Non - Exempt

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Kitchen Manager , the Head Cook is responsible for menu planning, food purchasing, food preparation and cooking, as well as supervision of kitchen staff and adherence to HACCP based standard operating procedures . The Head Cook is also responsible for overseeing the packaging of all Meals on Wheels and satellite site meals, and congregate lunch service.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Responsible for cooking food in compliance with established food service standards and use of standardized recipes.
• Plan quarterly menus with Deputy Director and Advisory Council input.
• S upervise preparation of weekly purchase orders.
• Conduct daily production m eeting with kitchen employees/ volunteers. Make decisions about daily production needs and ensure tasks are assigned and carried out. C omplete daily production plan record .
• Supervise food temperatures and e quipment (refrigerator & freezer) temperature recordings daily at Jefferson Senior Center . Monitor and supervise all temperature records at satellite sites.
• Supervise preparation of da ily food use records and monthly food inventory.
• Assign, supervise , and monitor ( in collaboration with the Kitchen Manager and Assistant Cook, as appropriate) the work of all kitchen staff in all locations, including the dishwasher, maintenance personnel, and volunteers assigned to food service.
• Supervise all work and cleaning schedules.
• Use menu, standardized recipes , and daily production meeting to plan, organize, staff, lead and control managerial functions for preparing menu items in the needed quantity and with the desired quality, at the cost determined by Union Settlement.
• Use Union Settlement HACCP based standard operating kitchen procedural manual for consistently managing a safe , wholesome establishment.
• Use kitchen procedural manual to tra in food service employees/ volunteers befo re assigning food service tasks. R etr ain any food service employees/ vo lunteers found not following standard operating procedures .
• Supervise and support by monitoring cleanliness of kitchen and dining room, providing staff and volunt eer management by supervising breakfast and lunch service .
• Attend trainings as specified by the New York City Department for the Aging and Department of Health .
• Attend appropriate training progra ms as requested by supervisor.
• Compile statistics, prepare reports, maintain staff and volunteer attendance, and other required records .
• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED , plus formal culinary training or at least 5 year s experience working as a cook in an institutional setting .
• Valid New York City Food Handler’s License.
• Valid NYC Food Protection Certificate a plus.
• Ability to stand and cook for long hours.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Good organi zational a bility, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Good written and oral communications skills.
• Desire or interest in working with aging populations.
• Bilingual (English/ Spanish ) a plus .

CO R E CO M P E T E N C IE S

• Leading Others: Creates a sense of urgency throughout the organization on the importance of achieving outcomes. Inspires, influences, and enables team members to reach their goals
• Facilitating Change: Approaches challenges with creativity and flexibility. Demonstrates analytical thinking. Guides change to meet Union Settlement’s goals.
• Managing Performance: Evaluates and revises goals semi-annually with the team. Provides consistent supervision and documents performance highlights and concerns
• Applying and Developing Expertise: Embraces and leads the team to achieve milestones. Seeks and supports professional development opportunities for team members. Manages finances and budgets effectively
• Communicating and Collaborating: Listens well and actively engages with others with honesty and integrity and holds team accountable to the same standard

Union Settlement’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

Union Settlement is an equal opportunity employer. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.