2026-27 Cook (530am-130pm) Mountain View Elementary

Employment Begins: 2026-2027 School Year

7.5 hours/day; 5 days/week; 195 days/year

COOK

STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification: Cook Location: Assigned Building

Reports to: Director of Food and Nutrition or Designee FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: PSE

This is a standard position description to be used for positions with similar duties responsibilities classification and compensation. Employees assigned to the position description may or may not perform all of the essential functions indicated in this position description.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Part I: Position Summary:

Participates in the operation and preparation of food in a kitchen/cafeteria. Serves as a main/side dish cook baker and dessert cook. Prepares food according to standardized recipes and specified quantities. Follows nutritional guidelines as established by the district and as recommended by professional associations.

The District represents a diverse community. More than 50% of our students arrive with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the Districts diverse populations.

Part II: Supervision and Controls over the Work:

The school cook receives day-to-day direction from the Kitchen Manager and receives specific performance requirements and guidelines from the supervisor of food and nutritional services. Operates within district and school policies and procedures safety and quality control requirements and in compliance with State and County health codes and by applying acceptable professional standards.

The school cook is actively involved in the operation of the kitchen and the preparation and service of a quality food program. He/she maintains an open communication and association with students staff parents co-workers and administrative personnel.

Part III: Major Duties and Responsibilities (depending on specific assignment duties and responsibilities listed may include but are not limited to the following):

1. Food Preparation:

• Reads menus recipes and directions for numbers of meals to be served. Oversees the preparation of meals which includes recipe/menu planning serving amounts proper temperature and student meal service schedules.
• Calculates amount measures and mixes ingredients for number of servings.
• Computes time to be used in preparing and finishing food products so that they are prepared at the appropriate temperature and ready to consume according to the student meal service schedules.
• Arranges and protects food products so that they are retained at the safety sanitary and quality level.
• Comply with state and county health codes by maintaining.
• May direct the work of cook helpers or other cooks as appropriate.

1. Food Service Cleaning and Maintenance:

• Assists in food service to students including providing appropriate serving and arrangement.
• May assist in verifying student meal eligibility and/or collecting school funds.
• Maintains a safe and sanitary work environment by assisting in the cleaning of cooking surfaces all utensils pots pans trays.
• Performs such cleaning of spills and cooking products as necessary to maintain a safe cooking environment.
• Assists in cleaning and maintaining equipment and notifying kitchen/cafeteria manager of equipment service repair and maintenance needs.

1. Administrative and Safety Functions

• Supervise personnel and coordinate extra work which may include catering after school functions summer meals.
• Maintains awareness of energy conservation and make suggestions of methods and procedures to consider energy.
• Oversees and maintains department records and inventory of cooking supplies and materials.
• Oversee the process of cash reconciliation and related record keeping and bank deposits by following the appropriate procedures.
• Secure equipment and supplies to protect against pilferage loss theft or abuse.
• Maintains awareness of facility and equipment to detect and report any facility and equipment needs to supervisor to prevent injuries or damage.
• Prepare orders based on inventory. Receives food and supplies checking against invoices orders or requisitions. Make sure product quality meets HACCP guidelines.
• Maintain current knowledge of a quality food program by attending relevant training classes and workshops.
• Oversees/maintains required department records i.e menu planning sheets standardized recipes time sheets etc.
• Provide feedback regarding staff evaluations.
• Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
• Performs other duties as assigned by administrator and/or designee.

Part IV: Minimum Qualifications:

1. Incumbents must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.
2. Knowledge of Child Nutrition guidelines as established by USDA.
3. Experience in food preparation to include cooking and baking which included acquiring and applying nutritional knowledge.
4. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and maintain good working relations with other employees students community representatives and school staff.
5. Initiative and ability to work with minimal direction; sound judgment and decision making capabilities are essential.
6. Ability to work under pressure be flexible and manage program emergencies.
7. Ability to make mathematical calculations necessary for effective food preparation. Ability to read and comprehend in English recipes and directions for equipment usage.

Part V: Desired Qualifications:

1. Graduation from high school or equivalent.
2. American School Food Service of America (ASFSA) Certification.
3. Four or more years of experience in a school environment involving preparation and service of large and varied number of meals and food products in a condensed period of time.
4. First Aid training/CPR.
5. Bilingual skills.
6. State and Federal Requirements Must possess a valid Washington State Food Handler Permit and pass a criminal justice and fingerprint clearance.

Part VI: Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

The physical demands and work environment 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.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to bend lift sit move about hear and speak. Noise level may be high from kitchen equipment and students at meals. Required to stand be on feet for prolonged periods of time and move around for a full work shift and perform repetitive movements. Other physical abilities include carrying pushing pulling balancing stooping and reaching. Employee should be able to withstand heat from ovens burners and steam trays. Employees will be exposed to cutting and slicing equipment and machines with moving parts.

Performs under strict meal deadlines; required to time task for completion in proper sequence; required to anticipate quantities and order for cost efficiency and proper storage.

May experience frequent interruptions; required to deal with a wide range of student staff and public behaviors; may be required to shift focus to respond to student staff and public needs; may experience daily shifts in work schedule according to building usage; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult individuals.

Required to move and lift heavy supplies and full pans of food weighing up to up to 40 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to use properly use such safety equipment as is appropriate to the work to prevent injury to self or others.

Ability to use computer equipment to complete reports maintain inventories etc.

It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials or illnesses during the course of their duties. Required to wear protective clothing and assist students by cleaning meal spills.

Insurance Benefits

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical dental vision long term disability and basic life insurance benefits.

North Thurston Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link for information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. . For eligibility information check on the link to theDepartment of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Clink on the link for information on 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

THIS IS A UNION POSITION

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex race creed religion color national origin age veteran or military status sexual orientation gender expression or identity disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Officer: ; Section 504 Coordinator at . Address for both: 305 College St. NE. Lacey WA 98516.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Effective June 11 1992 pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is considered temporary until receipt of satisfactory check. Proof that the fingerprinting process has begun must be supplied to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.

Required Experience:

IC