Cook- Schodack School Nutrition

About the role

School Cook – Fuel Young Minds with Every Meal! Monday–Friday | No Nights or Weekends! Are you passionate about cooking and looking for a job that aligns with your life? Join our school nutrition team as a Cook and help prepare fresh, nutritious meals that give students the energy to learn and thrive! What You’ll Do: Cook and prepare a variety of meals according to school menus Ensure all food is safely cooked and presented with care Maintain a clean and organized kitchen workspace Work with team members to serve meals in a timely, friendly manner Support special dietary needs and food allergy safety procedures Why You’ll Love This Job: Family-friendly schedule – you're home by mid-afternoon No nights, weekends, or holidays Paid training and steady hours Be part of a mission that matters – healthy meals fuel better learning Friendly, team-oriented school environment We’re Looking For: Basic knowledge of cooking techniques (we’ll train the right person!) A commitment to cleanliness and food safety A dependable and positive attitude Comfort working in a school kitchen environment A passion for helping kids grow strong and healthy Why Join Us?   Competitive pay + opportunities for growth  Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, and retirement  Paid time off   About Us: At Whitsons, we believe food has the power to transform a school day. Our cooks are everyday heroes who prepare meals that nourish bodies and minds. Join us and bring your heart to the kitchen where it matters most. Apply today and help cook up a brighter future—at Whitsons our mission is  Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time™.   $17.25/hour Qualifications     REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES   Education   High school diploma or equivalent  required;  must complete all  Whitsons  and government-required  training  as necessary.     Experience   Minimum 1 year of professional culinary or food service experience  required; school nutrition or institutional food service experience preferred.     Certifications   ServSafe  certification  required  or must  obtain  within a defined  timeframe  upon hire; local food safety certification  required  in any  jurisdiction  of employment.     Other Qualifications   Must be proficient in recipe procedures and cooking techniques; ability to speak and read English sufficient to understand and perform job assignments, follow recipes, and  comply with  safety requirements.   Always  presents  a positive and professional image; ability to work effectively as part of a food service team in a fast-paced kitchen environment; genuine interest in school nutrition and student health.       Core Competencies   Culinary Skill & Recipe Adherence:  Demonstrates   proficiency  in cooking techniques, batch cooking, and recipe execution; consistently meets portioning, presentation, and nutritional compliance standards for every meal served.   Food Safety & Compliance:  Maintains  rigorous adherence to HACCP,  ServSafe, and all applicable food safety and sanitation standards; completes temperature logs and production records accurately and on time every shift.   Execution & Reliability:  Manages the timing and sequencing of cooking operations to meet meal service deadlines consistently; follows all  Whitsons  policies, production standards, and assigned schedules with accuracy and dependability.   Attention to Detail:  Demonstrates  care in portioning, temperature monitoring, station setup, signage, and documentation; ensures every station is stocked, clean, and properly  maintained  throughout the service day.   Teamwork:  Works cooperatively with the Chef Manager and fellow food service workers; contributes to a productive, positive kitchen environment and supports the team in achieving daily service goals.   Customer Focus:  Takes pride in the quality and presentation of every meal served;  maintains  a welcoming, clean, and visually appealing station and understands that student satisfaction and participation are the ultimate measure of success.       WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER DETAILS   Expected Hours of Work   This is a full-time non-exempt position. Days and hours of work are aligned with the school district’s food service schedule. Occasional extended hours may be  required  in support of  special events  or operational needs.     Travel Requirements   This position is primarily site-based. Occasional travel to other school locations within the district may be  required  for substitute coverage or operational support.     Physical Demands of the Job   The Team Member is required to stand on their feet for  the majority of  the workday; frequently walk, talk, and hear; use hands and fingers to handle food, tools, and equipment; and  reach with  hands and arms. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, including while turning side to side. Exposure to extreme temperatures (hot and cold) due to cooking and refrigeration equipment. Movement in and out of storerooms and near ovens and freezers is regularly  required. Specific vision abilities  required  include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable  accommodations  may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.     Work Environment   This position  operates  primarily in a kitchen and food service production environment.  Standing is required for  the majority of  the workday.  The noise level is moderate to loud during meal service periods.        T he duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the  various types  of work  and duties  that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, and  Whitsons  reserves the right to add  additional  duties or  modify  existing duties.         Work Schedule M-F 6:30-12:30 Salary Target $17.25/hour