Child Development Center Food Services Aide

Job Description

Definition Prepares and serves a variety of simple nutritious meals and snacks for children at a Child Development Center and maintains kitchen and serving areas in a clean and sanitary condition.

Typical Duties Prepares and serves simple breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and drinks such as oatmeal, cereal, waffles, pancakes, muffins, sandwiches, pasta, frozen entrees, meat dishes, vegetables, fruits, milk, and juices in accordance with established menu, recipes, and portion requirements. Operates conventional kitchen appliances such as a dishwasher, stove, oven, microwave, toaster, mixer, food processor, and blender. Prepares, handles, and stores food in accordance with established health and safety regulations and practices. Washes, cleans, and stores kitchen equipment, dishes, utensils, and related items. Prepares monthly meal menus in accordance with established requirements, purchases food in accordance with the established monthly menus, and assists in the monitoring and reduction of food waste. Maintains kitchen appliances and work and serving areas in a clean and sanitary manner in accordance with established health and safety regulations and practices. Receives, labels, and stores food and supplies according to established standards; assists in taking inventory. Tracks and maintains accurate record for number of meals served. Performs related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics A Child Development Center Food Services Aide prepares and serves a variety of simple nutritious meals and snacks for children in a Child Development Center and maintains kitchen and serving areas in a clean sanitary condition.

Supervision Immediate supervision is received from a Child Development Center Director. Functional supervision may be received from higher level Child Development Center staff. No supervision is exercised.

Class Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Proper methods of preparing, heating, and serving simple food items that are fresh, canned, dry, and/or frozen
• Use and care of conventional kitchen appliances and equipment and utensils
• Proper methods of food storage and handling
• Basic health and safety regulations regarding food preparation and handling
• Cleaning and sanitation methods and techniques
• Fundamentals of menu planning

Ability to:

• Prepare, heat, and serve a variety of simple food items
• Operate conventional kitchen appliances and equipment safely and effectively
• Follow applicable health and sanitation requirements
• Work effectively and cooperatively with children and staff from various backgrounds
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions
• Make simple arithmetic calculations
• Maintain simple records
• Learn basic nutrition guidelines related to a child care center

Entrance Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school or its equivalent

Experience: None is required. Six months of paid experience with food preparation in large quantities which included the operation of conventional kitchen equipment and appliances and experience in a child care environment are highly preferred.

Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for long periods of time. Ability to be exposed to heat. Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Special: A valid Food Handler Card issued by an American National Standards Institute-accredited organization must be obtained within 30 days of appointment. Some positions may require a valid Food Protection Manager Certificate issued by an American National Standards Institute-accredited organization. Ability to pass fingerprint clearance through both the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), criminal record review, Child Abuse Central Index review, and/or any other requirement established by a licensing/regulatory entity or the District.

Benefits Medical and dental insurance and vision care plans are provided for employees and their dependents. A $50,000 life insurance policy is provided free of charge for each employee. New employees receive 12 full-pay days and 88 half-pay days of illness leave. 19 paid holidays per year. Vacation days accrue annually beginning at 10 days and increasing incrementally to 24 days depending on years of service with the District. Vacation days for management and confidential positions begin at 15, 20, or 24 days. Other paid time off includes: bereavement leave, personal necessity leave, court subpoena, and jury duty. Employees become members of the Public Employees Retirement System. Employees are also covered by Social Security. Employee Assistance Program

Selection Process The examination process may consist of one or more parts which may include a training and experience evaluation, written test, performance test and/or oral interview.

Reasonable Accommodations Our class specification generally describes the duties, responsibilities, and requirements characteristic of the position(s) within this job class. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular position within this class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Los Angeles Community College District provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with covered disabilities on a case-by-case basis throughout the application, examination, and hiring processes and throughout employment. If an individual is in doubt about their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position or possession of any other requirement noted in a class specification or job announcement, they should always apply for a position and request reasonable accommodation at the appropriate time.