Childcare Center Cook - Bilingual Spanish​/English

Position Overview

As a cook at Tierra Encantada you are passionate about preparing meals, nurturing children’s growth, and creating intentional learning environments that inspire curiosity and development. We are hiring for a Cook at our Tierra Encantada – Rochester location in Rochester, Minnesota.

This is a part-time nonexempt position that typically works Monday–Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. The starting pay for this role ranges between $18.00 and $22.00, depending on education, qualifications, and experience.

• Prepare daily meals for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years using approved recipes and menus, adhering to food handling and safety standards.
• Oversee and manage kitchen staff, providing guidance, support, and ensuring all team members adhere to food safety and operational standards.
• Stay well trained in allergens and adjust meals as needed for children with special dietary needs, ensuring compliance with dietary accommodations.
• Be accountable for inventory management, including handling orders, tracking supplies, minimizing waste, and maintaining accurate record‑keeping.
• Ensure adherence to the established meal program, including portion sizes, nutritional guidelines, and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment, adhering to local health codes and industry standards.
• Oversee general food operations, including meal preparation, cleanup, and dishwashing, ensuring efficiency and quality.
• Support center staff by covering classroom breaks, ensuring smooth daily operations, and maintaining the cleanliness of the center.
• Collaborate effectively with HQ teams, ensuring strong two‑way communication.
• Maintain certifications and take annual trainings on allergens and food safety.
• Maintain a positive, friendly attitude with families and be a “team‑mate” to parents in supporting their child’s growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Three or more years of cooking experience in a restaurant, hotel, hospital, childcare, or other high‑volume or institutional setting.
• Basic knowledge of USDA guidelines and food preparation.
• Certified Food Protection Manager strongly desired.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish strongly preferred; must be able to speak Spanish.
• Strong communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with families and co‑workers.
• Provide a certificate of completion of an approved pediatric first aid and CPR training within 90 days of hire. Employees are responsible for renewing and maintaining a valid, current CPR and pediatric first aid certification at all times.
• Respect for diversity and recognition that diversity makes our program better.
• Ability to fulfill annual training requirements.

• Requires the ability to frequently walk, stand, climb stairs, crawl, sit, squat, stoop, bend, reach, kneel, rise from the floor, and twist.
• Requires the ability to carry and lift 25 pounds or less, use repetitive or fine hand movements, and occasionally push, pull, run short distances, and carry and lift 25–50 pounds.
• Requires excellent long‑distance and near vision to monitor children’s activities both indoors and outdoors in various light conditions, as well as hearing capabilities to respond to children’s needs and maintain safety in a moderately noisy environment.

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• Generous PTO package
• 401(k) with employer match
• Performance bonus
• Discounted childcare and waitlist priority for enrollment
• Company paid professional development

• Once a job offer has been accepted, the candidate must pass a background check and fingerprinting. E‑verify is used to verify work authorization status.