Head Start Kitchen Aide

Jefferson County's Head Start Division is a vital part of the community, dedicated to providing comprehensive early-childhood services to children aged 0 to 5 and their families. Head Start is a no-cost, all-inclusive program focusing on child development and family support through education, healthcare, nutrition, mental health, and parental involvement. Jefferson County's Head Start is committed to equitable and inclusive service delivery, ensuring that every child and family receives personalized and culturally sensitive support. The division values teamwork, continuous professional growth, and community impact, offering staff various opportunities for on-site developmental training and individualized coaching during work hours. Located primarily at Patterson Head Start and Daniel's Head Start centers, the program creates an environment that fosters early learning and healthy development for children to thrive.

The position of Head Start Kitchen Site Aide is a part-time, temporary role within the Head Start Division with an approximate work schedule of 20-30 hours weekly and a maximum of 130 hours per month. Scheduled from Tuesday to Friday, 8:00 am to 2:30 pm, this role does not require weekend work and is non-benefit eligible. Compensation ranges from $19.89 to $25.00 per hour, determined by the candidate’s experience, education, and skills. While this is a non-benefited position, employees accrue sick leave at the rate of one hour per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours.

The core responsibility of the Head Start Kitchen Site Aide is to support daily operations in the kitchen and classroom environments by assisting with meal preparation following strict food safety protocols including portioning, proper food handling, storage, labeling, and temperature control compliant with the Child and Adult Care Food Program guidelines. Beyond food service, the role encompasses maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation of kitchen and storage areas, handling inventory organization (e.g., art supplies, office supplies, diapers), responding to communications, and occasionally supporting childcare duties by supervising children, engaging in classroom activities, and ensuring compliance with Head Start policies and applicable regulations. The role requires physical stamina as it involves standing and walking for the entire shift, lifting and transporting loads up to 50 pounds. The temporary status includes summers off, with renewal opportunities each school year.

This position is ideal for reliable, adaptable team players passionate about early childhood education and community service. No previous experience or formal education is required, but candidates should demonstrate excellent customer service, basic math skills, and a willingness to learn food safety standards, for which training is provided. Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish are a plus. Successful candidates must complete background checks, food safety certification within the first 30 days, and medical clearances. Jefferson County encourages applications from historically marginalized communities and offers reasonable accommodations during the hiring process to support inclusivity. Overall, this role offers meaningful involvement in a respected early childhood development program, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to impact young lives positively.