Kitchen Aide; Cook's Aide

Kitchen Aide (Cook's Aide)

Salary

$32,767.28 - $54,611.65 Annually

Location

PENNINO BUILDING, 12011 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY, FAIRFAX (EJ27), VA

Job Type

FT Hourly W BN

Job Number

26-00533

Department

Neighborhood & Community Svcs

Opening Date

06/13/2026

Closing Date

6/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S08

Posting Type

Open to General Public

* Description

* Benefits

* Questions

Job Announcement

This job opportunity is being re-announced. Applicants who wish to revise their original application are encouraged to reapply with a revised application. Otherwise, all applicants who previously applied do not need to reapply to be considered

This a grant funded position. The salary offer will not exceed the mid-point of the advertised salary range ($43,689.57).

Join our team at the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) and help support our mission to partner with communities, families, and individuals to provide opportunities to access a continuum of resources that promote equity and create positive outcomes for people of all ages and abilities. Our vision is to see connected communities where all individuals and families are supported and empowered to thrive.

Make a Difference, One Meal at a Time!

Are you passionate about nutrition and helping little ones grow? We're looking for a dedicated Kitchen Aide to join our Early Head Start team!

In this role, you'll be the heartbeat of our kitchen, ensuring our infants and toddlers (birth to age three) receive healthy, delicious meals and snacks every day. Working under our Nutrition Coordinator, you'll help fuel the next generation in a fun, fast-paced childcare environment.

What You'll Do:

Prep & serve:
Support the daily preparation and service of nutritious meals tailored for early childhood development.

Stay organized: uses Child Plus to document meal service and keep things running smoothly.

Inventory Pro:
Keep an eye on kitchen supplies and help manage orders so we never miss a beat.

Safety first: maintains a sparkling clean kitchen by following Virginia Department of Health sanitation standards and CACFP requirements.

Compliance champion: ensures every meal meets Early Head Start performance standards.

What You'll Bring:

A heart for working in a childcare setting.

Reliability and a "team player" attitude.

Comfort using basic software (like Child Plus) for documentation.

Knowledge of (or willingness to learn) USDA and health department food safety regulations.

Why Join Us?

This is more than just a kitchen job-it's a chance to play a vital role in the health and happiness of children in our community. Apply today and help us nourish the next generation, one meal at a time!

Illustrative Duties

Cleans, peels, cuts, trims and prepares food for cooking;

Prepares plates and serves meals;

Washes dishes and scrubs pots;

Cleans kitchen equipment;

Sweeps and mops floors;

Sets up dining area;

Inventories supplies;

Follows established cooking procedure with minimal supervision.

Required Knowledge

Skills and Abilities

Some knowledge of large-scale food preparation;

Ability to follow oral and written instruction;

Ability to maintain simple records;

Ability to operate a variety of kitchen equipment.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to completion of the tenth grade, supplemented by two years of work experience, preferably including some experience in the preparation of a variety of food in considerable quantity.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a Child Protective Services Registry check to the satisfaction of the employer. A tuberculosis (TB) test upon hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

* At least one year of experience in a licensed childcare, Head Start, or school nutrition environment.

* Current Serv Safe or state-recognized Food Handler Certification.

* Familiarity with USDA CACFP meal patterns and documentation requirements.

* Prior experience using Child Plus or similar childcare management software for record-keeping.

* Experience preparing meals for infants and toddlers, including knowledge of food allergies and texture-modified diet.

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