Food Service Specialist

Description

We are hiring in Lake County, IL.

Start Early Lake County provides high-quality care, best‑class education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old.
As a program that serves low‑income families
, Start Early’s research‑based program helps children develop the literacy, language, early math, and social‑emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, excellence, learning, and communication.

The Food Service Specialist is responsible for coordinating all food service activities at the Start Early Lake County Early Learning Center, ensuring compliance with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Illinois Health Department requirements. The ideal candidate for this role will create effective organizational service systems, problem‑solve on the spot, maintain accurate records in compliance with funder requirements, and ensure efficient meal service to all children at the site.

• Meal Coordination:
  Coordinate with the contracted caterer to ensure meals are delivered in a timely manner and in accordance with CACFP requirements. Ensure all meals are aligned with the planned menu and nutritional requirements.
• Maintain established standards of sanitation, safety, food preparation and storage as set by local and state health departments; maintain an orderly, sanitary, and safe serving environment. Communicate with elementary school staff to coordinate access to kitchen as needed.
• Menu Modifications:
  Work with the caterer and Nutritionist to adjust menus to meet the needs of infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities or food allergies. Receive input from teaching staff on meal service and implement continuous quality improvement techniques enhance site meal service.
• Deliver meals from kitchen using proper sanitation techniques to classrooms. Regularly communicate with nutritionist and Recipient Health team to receive training on serving requirements and portion sizes.
• Maintain cost control, budget and inventory systems based on CACFP procedures including records of food production, service and attendance.
• Attend and participate in school and grantee-sponsored trainings, center pre‑service and in‑service trainings, and other continuing education, career and professional development opportunities.
• Perform additional job‑related duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma with two (2) to three (3) years of food preparation and food handling experience, two‑year college degree or higher preferred.
• Current Certified Food Protection Manager certificate preferred at the time of hire. Must be willing to obtain within 30 days of date of hire.
• Certification in child first aid and CPR (program will provide upon hire).
• Clearance of background check by Department of Children and Family Services.
• Training in Food Service and San required.
• Cooking experience for young children (preferred).
• Knowledge of Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP).
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards to reflect local, state, and federal regulations.
• Knowledge of cafeteria management and operation.
• Thorough knowledge of kitchen basics, food handling and cooking procedures, including workplace safety procedures.

• Adaptability and Flexibility:
  Able to change direction as priorities shift and thrive in environments that require the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to weigh alternative actions and make decisions that incorporate opinions, facts, tangible, and/or intangible factors.
• Seeks to do a job correctly and is driven by being associated with doing high quality work.
• Prioritization:
  Effectively arranges goals, tasks and projects in order of greatest importance to achieve success.
• Ability to work effectively with others to achieve common causes.
• Proven, reliable, individual who can be counted on to do what they say they will do. Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Must be able to read, write, and follow written and oral.
• Must have experience preparing food in large quantities from a planned menu.

Salary: $31,700.00 - $39,000.00

Our generous benefit plan includes: Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6‑months paid parental leave and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.