Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, frequent work at night, beyond normal business hours. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Physical Factors

Moderate physical requirements, with risk of burns and cuts; frequent lifting, carrying, and moving up to 50-pound containers of food preparation materials and equipment.

Environmental Factors

Work is performed in a commercial kitchen work environment.

• Responsible for the preparation and presentation of meals for congregate and homebound clients at one of the program meals sites based on program needs in accordance with program policies and procedures and health department regulations; administers health code requirements and ensures nutrition policy standards are maintained; prepares the correct quantity of both main and secondary dish to match the number of meals reserved for each day, preventing food waste; serves plates for the homebound meals within serving size and temperature standards respecting the need for aesthetically pleasing appearance; serves congregate dining participants within serving size standards.
• Maintains program kitchen by ensuring safe and effective meal preparation, the security of program inventory, and daily opening/closing of the kitchen facility; provides training and instruction to kitchen staff to assure the food service provided meets the established quality and health standards; prepares a grocery and supply order each week ensuring adequate products are available when meal preparation begins without borrowing from another kitchen; presents the highest level of customer service possible to seniors and ensures that all public contact by other staff follows this high standard.
• Oversees the work of kitchen staff and acts as worker/leader, training staff and inspecting work, to assure completion of all cooking, cleaning, and policy-required tasks; assures accurate recording of staff work time, both on time clock and time sheets; documents all training provided to each staff member in order to provide job development and progress record; maintains inventory control and related reports and supervises the entire inventory control process; completes a variety of program-required forms for month end submission as well as daily communication reports; communicates and cooperates with Host/Hostess at meal site in regard to upholding the Wasted Meal Program regulations; may prepare and serve food at special events outside of regular working hours.

Equivalent to a high school diploma PLUS two years experience as a cook in a commercial, institutional, or related volume-food preparation environment, utilizing high volume production methods and equipment, and storing inventory of kitchen and food supplies. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)

Valid driver’s license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City policy. State Food Handler’s permit.

Knowledge of: Methods, materials, and practices of volume food preparation; institutional cooking methods and procedures; proper safety and sanitation practices and methods used in food preparation and storage; bulk food inventory and ordering methods; City policies and procedures including safety rules and regulations.

Ability to: Prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands; communicate effectively in verbal and written forms; establish and maintain effective working relations with employees and the general public.

Skills in: Food preparation techniques and practices; safely operating kitchen equipment; effectively training and guiding the work of staff; using courtesy and respect in providing customer service; performing general math calculations and records management tasks; exercising independent judgment in resolving basic problems.