Food and Nutrition Services Aide

Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education and family support services in Orange and Sullivan Counties.

The Food and Nutrition Services Aide supports food service operations by assisting with sanitation, meal preparation, and safe delivery of meals to classrooms and centers. This position ensures health and safety standards are followed at all times, including allergy communication and documentation. The Food and Nutrition Services Aide serves as a substitute cook when needed and works as part of the team to promote high-quality nutrition services for children.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Food preparation and production

1. Assist with the preparation, portioning, and delivery of meals and snacks to classrooms and centers in compliance with CACFP and Head Start requirements.

2. Ensure allergy awareness by confirming food modifications and communicating with staff before delivering meals to classrooms.

3. Support the cook in preparing food according to standardized recipes and approved menus.

4. Ensure meals are served in a manner consistent with family-style dining practices.

5. Return dishes, carts, and utensils from classrooms to clean and sanitize and store.

6. Support food service needs for meetings, trainings, and special events as directed.

7. Store and inventory ingredients and supplies.

8. Serve as back-up cook during absences, ensuring continuity of food service operations.

9. Participate in training sessions and staff development related to food safety, sanitation, and nutrition.

10. Contribute to program improvement efforts by communicating ideas and feedback on menus, food delivery, and sanitation practices.

11. Promote the program’s mission, vision, and core values through professional conduct and teamwork.

Health and Sanitation

12. Maintain high standards of cleanliness and sanitation in food preparation and delivery areas.

13. Assist with daily cleaning and upkeep of kitchen equipment, workspaces, and utensils.

14. Follow all federal, state, and local guidelines for hygiene and safety, including universal precautions and prevention of food contamination.

15. Communicate promptly with the cook or supervisor regarding safety concerns, equipment issues, or hazards.

Record Keeping and Recording

16. Support the cook in maintaining accurate food service documentation including menu production records, temperature logs, and delivery records.

17. Ensure allergy postings and dietary accommodations are clearly documented and consistently followed.

18. Shop for meal ingredients as requested and turn in all receipts and records.

Additional Expectations

19. Attends training/workshops/meetings as requested by supervisor

Head Start Employee Expectations

§ Uphold the shared values of the center

§ Cooperate with co-workers, provide assistance, information or other support as it is needed to ensure quality service to children and families and to build and maintain positive staff relationships 

§ Actively participate in Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated trainings, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities. 

§ Recognize that your job description is service area specific and that a successful employee upholds the overall employment standards outlined in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and specifically, but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining safe work environment. 

§ Demonstrate integrity and responsibility by always doing one’s personal best, being honest and ethical, following through on commitments 

§ Maintain a commitment to professionalism, continue own professional development and manage performance by taking responsibility for one’s own performance, setting goals, eliciting feedback, tracking progress and addressing performance issues promptly. Attend local, state and regional initiatives to represent the center and to develop professionally 

§ Exhibit flexibility by showing an openness to different and new ways of doing things, and changing strategy when an initial strategy is unsuccessful 

§ Show initiative by identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it 

§ Familiarize self with Head Start Performance Standards and any State regulations pertaining to Head Start 

§ Stay up to date on changing community needs, services, and agency resources to support families in attaining self-sufficiency and assuring program resources are up to date and relevant.

Qualifications

Ø High School Graduate or equivalent preferred

Ø Large-scale food service experience preferred.

Ø Willingness to learn and take initiative in food preparation, sanitation, and safe meal delivery.

Ø Ability to follow directions, work independently, and collaborate as part of a team.

Ø Strong commitment to child health and safety, including allergy awareness and communication.

Ø Attention to detail in sanitation, documentation, and food handling.

Ø Ability to lift, carry, and transport food, carts, and supplies as needed.

Ø Travel between program sites may be required for meal delivery.

Ø Perform other duties as assigned to support program success and compliance with Head Start and NYS OCFS regulations.

Ø Ability to maintain accurate records, demonstrate excellent math-writing skills

Ø Dependable, reliable and flexible

Ø Must pass a physical as it pertains to the necessary physical demands of the job.

Ø Ability to relate well with children and adults.

Ø Knowledge of quantity food preparation, equipment, and food purchasing.

Ø Pass physical examination, background check, and fingerprinting screen

Ø Able to tolerate frequent repetitive motion with hands in food preparation activities.

Ø Able to tolerate continuous standing and walking in kitchen areas during shift.

Ø Able to tolerate regular bending, kneeling and lifting (average 20 times per day) of bulk foods, food bins and hot food caddies: bulk food items are lifted from the floor and weigh 10-50 lbs. each, food bins weigh 30 - 50 lbs., are lifted from floor and work tables and loaded into vehicles.

Ø Able to tolerate regular crouching to retrieve items from lower shelves . Regular reaching occurs to retrieve utensils and food items from storage shelves and cupboards up to 8' high

Ø Able to lift and carry loaded food trays up and down stairs for delivery to classrooms

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc. (RECAP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.