CLNutrition Services Lead Cook - Eastgate

Position #22811:
Nutrition Services Lead Cook

Posting Dates: 12/29/2025 – 01/09/2026 (Or Until Filled)

Location: Eastgate Elementary School

Hours: 7 Hours per Day, 180 Days per Year

The job of the lead cook provides for the direction of nutrition services personnel at the assigned site to perform their functions in a safe and efficient manner; providing nutrition services to students at the assigned site and must meet the mandated nutritional needs of students. The position requires cooking and preparing large quantities of food items for all Nutrition Services programs including but not limited to Breakfast, Lunch, Snack and Suppers that meet mandated nutritional requirements and/or requests of students and school personnel;

verifying quantities and specifications of orders; maintaining facilities in a sanitary condition; ensuring availability of quantities of items; providing written support to convey information; complying with mandated health requirements; reviewing, verifying, and recording reimbursable meals; securing funds for daily meal transactions; and depositing funds and balancing accounts while adhering to accounting practices for monies handled. The Lead Cook is responsible to ensure the kitchen runs in a satisfactory manner, is responsible to ensure monthly completion of safety and sanitation audits and other mandated reports and is required to attend monthly menu meetings.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

All applications must be submitted to the Kennewick School District Online .org.

• References indicating satisfactory skills and abilities.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to meet the physical demands of the position.
• Must possess or obtain a current Food Handlers permit within one (1) week of employment.
• Must possess or obtain a current Serv Safe Food Safety Certificate within three (3) months of employment to the extent that training is made available.
• Must pass a background check, which includes employee paid fingerprinting.
• Completion of Safe Schools Web Based Training within 30 days of hire and yearly thereafter.

• Must uphold board policies and follow administrative procedures.
• Must take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Skills to perform basic math calculations, communicate effectively, use standard office equipment including calculator and computers.
• Knowledge of basic cash handling procedures.
• Must maintain Food Handlers permit.
• Must successfully complete Serv-Safe Certificate program every five years.
• Must attend in-service trainings, menu meetings and other meetings as required, as well as attend any training as directed by management.
• Evidence of ability to assess, report and correct issues involving safety.
• Evidence of ability to establish and maintain a tactful, cooperative and effective relationship with students, parents, staff, fellow employees and management.
• Evidence of leadership abilities as indicated by positive evaluations, ability to problem solve, ability to handle conflict in a satisfactory manner, a history of professional behaviors and interactions.
• Evidence of ability to approach assigned work in a professional manner, working toward the common goal of teamwork, pride in service delivery and continuous improvement.
• Must be able to use basic computer programs to maintain records, enter timecard information and read and respond to email.
• Must demonstrate sufficient command of the English language to communicate verbally and in writing with students, parents, district staff members and other concerned people regarding all aspects of their job-related activities.

• Successful completion of training or certification programs related to position. This could include, but is not limited to, one of the following: high school diploma, GED, AA, BA, etc.
• Prior job-related experience (3 years minimum) in food preparation, serving and basic kitchen activities.
• Skills to perform basic arithmetic calculations, maintain inventory control, use standard office equipment including computer, and communicate effectively.
• Knowledge of modern methods of food preparation, health codes and sanitation principles, nutritional requirements and the National School Lunch Program.
• Positive evaluations and recommendations that support character and work ethic.
• Excellent attendance, punctuality, dependability, self-disciplined, and a self-starter.

• Manages site operations for the purpose of providing safe and efficient food services at the assigned site in compliance with…