HEAD START - RXII - Lead Cook, Seasonal

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is a respected non-profit community action agency dedicated to serving and uplifting the residents of its service areas, including Elgin, MN. Founded on the principle that every individual has inherent value, Tri-Valley works tirelessly to identify community needs, seek resources, and create opportunities that enable individuals and families to thrive. The organization is committed to fostering stronger communities by improving the quality of life through various programs and services. Its mission centers on providing opportunities that enhance living conditions, employment prospects, and recreational environments, making communities more vibrant and resilient. With a focus on inclusivity, Tri-Valley also provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, demonstrating its commitment to equal opportunity and fairness in employment.

The Lead Cook position at Tri-Valley Opportunity Council plays a critical role within the food service department, particularly focused on supporting Head Start programs and complying with USDA Food and Nutrition Service guidelines. This seasonal role is full-time with 40 work hours per week, scheduled from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm. The Lead Cook is tasked with collaborating closely with food service personnel and classroom staff to ensure meals meet the nutritional, cultural, and regulatory needs of children and families benefiting from the program. Adept in meal planning, preparation, and service, the Lead Cook ensures that adequate food quantities and correct serving portions are delivered during meal times and snack periods. An important aspect of this role is observing strict food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards as mandated by health departments and regulatory agencies.

In addition to culinary responsibilities, the Lead Cook serves as the fiscal steward for the center's food service department. This includes managing budgets, developing and maintaining ordering systems for food and supplies, and tracking expenditures meticulously. Record keeping is a vital function of this position, encompassing monitoring food usage, waste, inventory, and meal counts, while offering monthly reports to the Food Services Specialist to aid in program monitoring and funding compliance. Moreover, the Lead Cook actively supports recruitment efforts by informing potential parents about various program services and the benefits provided to enrolled children and families, thus playing a broader role in community engagement and outreach.

This position requires strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. The Lead Cook must be capable of reading and completing necessary paperwork in English, comfortable working with computers, and eager to learn program-specific systems. A valid certification in First Aid and CPR is required within 30 days of hire, emphasizing safety and preparedness. Tri-Valley’s commitment to employee support is reflected in benefits such as paid holidays and earned sick and safe time (ESST), tailored to the needs of seasonal employees. The role is vital to ensuring that nutritious, safe, and enjoyable meals are delivered to a vulnerable population, and it offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to community well-being through food service excellence.