Employment Begins: 2023 - 2024SY

7.5 hours/day; 5 days/week; 191 days/year

Want to make a DIFFERENCE in the lives of children? Are you PASSIONATE about diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools?

Join us as a valued employee at North Thurston Public Schools! We have a proud tradition of excellence in education as we strive to prepare approximately 15,000 students for rewarding careers, fulfilling lives, and compassionate global citizenship. As home to the most ethnically diverse population in the South Sound, we follow the principles of the International Charter for Compassion which recognizes that we treat each other with kindness, respect differences, and make our district a place where everyone belongs and feels safe. Dedicated to the success of all students, we work hard to close the opportunity gap for our students of color and students experiencing poverty.

Come join us to ensure that ALL students are empowered and future-ready!

What we will trust you with:

• Creating a safe environment for all students.
• Contributing to a welcoming school culture.
• Professionally representing North Thurston Public Schools in your community.

What we need from you:

The ability to:

• Work with culturally diverse families and communities.
• Effectively communicate with staff, students and parents.
• Embody kindness and compassion.

Where you’ll be:

One of the most beautiful states in our nation, Washington is the home of 3 National Parks, 17 National Wildlife Refuges, and the famous Puget Sound. From our district in the city of Lacey, you can easily access Mt. Rainier for hiking and skiing, the Pacific Ocean for beach-combing, and the bustling city of Seattle for food and cultural events. Just a few miles away is Olympia, our state capitol, where you can observe government in action. Also nearby is Joint Base Lewis-McChord from which we welcome our many military families.

What makes NTPS a great place to work?

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Compassionate Community
• Strong Partnership with North Thurston Education Foundation

What is the job description?

KITCHEN MANAGER

STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification: Kitchen Manager Location: Assigned Building

Reports to: Director of Food and Nutrition FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: PSE

This is a standard position description to be used for positions with similar duties, responsibilities, classification and compensation. Employees assigned to the position description may or may not perform all of the essential functions indicated in this position description.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Part I: Position Summary:

Responsible for the supervision and operation of a kitchen/cafeteria and actively involved in preparation and service of a quality food program. Maintains open communication and association with students, staff, parents, co-workers and administrative personnel.

The District represents a diverse community with a population of approximately 40% students with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the District’s diverse populations.

Part II: Supervision and Controls over the Work:

Incumbent works under the supervision of the Director. May receive occasional day-to-day direction from a school administrator in terms of operations, scheduling, priorities, etc. The employee is expected to operate with a high level of independence seeking out the assistance and advice of the supervisor for unusual or more difficult problems or to assist in human resource management issues. The employee is guided by program direction and expectations, district policies and regulations, professional standards, safety requirements, and local, state and federal guidelines concerning school food service operations.

Part III: Major Duties and Responsibilities (depending on specific assignment, duties and responsibilities listed may include, but are not limited to the following):

• Supervises personnel; schedules and assigns work to be done; coordinates extra work, e.g. catering, after school functions and summer meals. Manages specialized meal menus.
• Monitors food preparation and cooking, quality standards and control, food presentation, service line delivery and proper food storage.
• Manages, maintains the production records, HACCP documentation, and ordering and receiving supplies for meal program.
• Maintains menu planning sheets, standardized recipes, school fund receipts, student eligibility, lunch records and reports.
• Oversees the use of equipment and makes needed repairs and/or replacement. Assures sanitation and safety conditions are met. Makes any needed corrections. Oversees the storage of left-over food and equipment.
• Provides information on food service program to the student, parents and school staff, respond to customer concerns and complaints and assist in scheduling facility use by outside groups.
• Attend relevant training. Assist in appropriate training of food service staff to meet program requirements.
• Comply with State and County health codes for maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment, e.g. enforces employee sanitation procedures and dress/personal hygiene standards.
• Maintains open communication with supervisor on employee performance which includes providing feedback regarding evaluations. May include recommendations of employee counseling, hiring and discipline conversations.
• Maintains/manages employee time sheets and leave records.
• Maintain working relationships and staff communications with regards to policies, procedures, practices, programs, etc.
• Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
• Perform other duties as assigned by administrator and/or designee.

Part IV: Minimum Qualifications:

• Incumbents must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities, or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.
• Posession of SNA certification.
• Four or more years experience as a cook in an elementary, middle or high school.
• Ability to communicate and maintain good working relations with other employees, students, community representatives, and school staff.
• Ability to effectively supervise and provide leadership to a kitchen/cafeteria staff
  Skill in the use of technology for control, management, and reporting of food service operations.
  Must possess a valid Washington State Food Handler Permit.

Part V: Desired Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Food and nutrition service experience in a school setting or other setting involving serving large volumes of food to students.
• Demonstrates competency in Minimum Qualifications.
• Demonstrates interest in continual development or related skills and knowledge.
• First aid training/CPR
• Bilingual skills.

Part VI: Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, lift, sit, move about, hear and speak. Noise level may be high from kitchen equipment and students at meals. Required to stand, be on feet for prolonged periods of time and move around for a full work shift and perform repetitive movements. Other physical abilities include carrying, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping and reaching. Employee should be able to withstand heat from ovens, burners and steam trays. Employees will be exposed to cutting and slicing equipment and machines with moving parts.

Performs under strict meal deadlines; required to time task for completion in proper sequence; required to anticipate quantities and order for cost efficiency and proper storage.

May experience frequent interruptions; required to deal with a wide range of student, staff and public behaviors; may be required to shift focus to respond to student, staff, and public needs; may experience daily shifts in work schedule according to building usage; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult individuals.

Required to move and lift heavy supplies and full pans of food weighing up to up to 40 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to properly use such safety equipment as is appropriate to the work to prevent injury to self or others.

Ability to use computer equipment to complete reports, maintain inventories, etc.

It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials or illnesses during the course of their duties. Required to wear protective clothing and assist students by cleaning meal spills.

Insurance Benefits

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long term disability and basic life insurance benefits.

North Thurston Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees for information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. . For eligibility information, check on the link to the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Clink on the link https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/ for information on 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan, employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

THIS IS A UNION POSITION

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Officer: executivedirectorHR@nthurston.k12.wa.us, 360-412-4453; Section 504 Coordinator at 360-412-4465, 504@nthurston.k12.wa.us Address for both: 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Effective June 11, 1992, pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is considered temporary until receipt of satisfactory check. Proof that the fingerprinting process has begun must be supplied to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.