Cook (senior Services)

Definition

Under close supervision of the Food & Nutrition Supervisor, cooks and prepares meals for the Congregate and Home Delivered Meals Program that includes both in-home lunch meal delivery and in-house breakfast and lunch meals offered at the Senior Center. Assists with all aspects of the Congregate and Home Delivered Meals Program including supplies inventory, meal planning, preparation, kitchen and dining room clean-up, adherence to nutritional guidelines compliance, delivery preparation and preparation for the following day. This job class is treated as FLSA Non-Exempt.

Essential Functions : Essential functions may vary among positions and may include the following tasks and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be comprehensive list of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

Examples of Tasks

1. Meal Planning & Preparation : Assists the Food Services Supervisor with overall meal planning at both Salt River and Lehi locations. Planning is accomplished in 1-month menu cycles.

• Prepares breakfast and lunch hot meals from a nutritionally approved 6-cycle seasonal menu rotation for the Congregate and Home Delivered Meals Program. This includes in-house breakfast meals at the Senior Center and both in-house dining room and in-home delivery to Seniors' residences.
• Ensures the timely and quality preparation and serving of hot meals 5 days per week including both home delivery and in-house Senior Center dining room meals.
• Ensures the highest standards for meal preparation and presentation to the Seniors including meals for disabled and adaptive Seniors.

2. Nutrition : Complies with all dietary and nutritional guidelines as specified by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) and the Health & Human Services (HHS) Department nutritionists.

• Prepares specialty "Renal Friendly" meals and meals for others with allergy considerations which comprise approximately 44% of total meals prepared and served.
• Uses meal preparation discretion from the approved general menus as required and to ensure healthy, balanced, nutritious meal offerings.

3. Inventory & Supplies Ordering : Assists with inventory control, routine supplies controls and weekly food purchasing.

• Assists the Food Services Supervisor with routine supplies inventory.
• Identifies ways and methods to cook efficiently in order to maximize efficient utilization of food and supplies.
• Recommends ways to improve and streamline the inventory and supplies ordering process.

4. Special Events : Prepares a variety of meals for special events including, but not limited to, the following:

• Monthly Senior Meetings
• Seniors Quarterly Meetings with the Tribal Council.
• Senior Disabled Group Meetings.
• All special holiday meals including Christmas, Thanksgiving, Veteran's Day, Easter, Native American Day, SRPMIC Day, Halloween, etc.

5. Safety, Hygiene & Cleanup : Actively participates in the department's safety and OSHA compliance efforts to ensure a safe workplace.

• Remains constantly vigilant to workplace safety and providing a clean and sanitary work environment for co-workers and Senior patrons.
• Joins the other Food Services staff in all cleanup tasks for both the kitchen and dining room areas.
• Ensures all bottles, cans and other storage items are properly and clearly labeled.

6. Meal Delivery : Acts in a backup role for the Transportation Drivers for in-home hot meal delivery as required.

7. Administrative: Provides monthly meal planning and menu notifications thru mailings & menu postings.

• Assists with meal patron sign-in.
• Helps enter meal data into the database system for statistical purposes.
• Participates in food/meal related grant compliance matters.
• Attends and participates in the bi-weekly staff meetings.

8. Miscellaneous: Performs other job related duties as assigned by the Food Services Supervisor or Assistant Senior Services Director.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of the history, culture, laws, rules, customs and traditions of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
• Knowledge of large volume meal and menu planning and preparation.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of quality food preparation including preparation of specialty food for renal and diabetic patients.
• Knowledge of nutritional meal planning.
• Knowledge of the federal grant provision affecting Senior meal preparation and delivery.

• Skill establishing effective working relationships with co-workers, Seniors, vendors, patrons and other Community Members.
• Skill organizing and managing meal preparation workflow.
• Skill performing inventory and supplies ordering.

• Ability to follow established dietary and nutritional guidelines particularly for disabled and adaptive Seniors along with diabetic and renal concerns.
• Ability to drive a Tribal Government vehicle for meal deliveries.
• Ability to properly clean supplies, utensils and equipment.
• Ability to properly and safely package and dispose of trash and other waste.
• Ability to use a personal computer and software as required.
• Ability to be flexible with work schedules for special events.
• Ability to comply with the federal grant stipulations.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience: Graduation from High School or a GED equivalent.

• For enrolled Community Members without a GED, must obtain a GED within the probationary period. Requires participation in the HR GED Program and successful completion of the Arizona state certified exam in order to continue employment with SRPMIC.
  • High volume food and meal preparation experience preferred.
  • Food Handler's card required.
  • CPR and First Aid certification required within 6 months of hire.
  • Knowledge of the dietary needs of Seniors with various medical conditions preferred.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and experience that will allow the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be considered.

Underfill Eligibility:An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill

Special Requirements

• May be required to work outside normal business hours including nights, weekends and holidays.
  

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified : Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required:1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted .

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.

Benefits:

The SRPMIC offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. In addition employees enjoy vacation and sick leave and 13 paid holidays.