Cook
About this role
We’re Looking for a Cook Who Can Spice Up Our Kitchen!
Are you passionate about creating delicious meals that bring joy to others? Do you believe that great food can change the school day? We’re looking for a Child Care Cook who’s not just about serving food, but about bringing flavor, fun, and love to every plate. If you’re ready to cook up something special in a non-traditional, dynamic, and meaningful role, keep reading!
Why You'll Love Working with Us:
- Make a Difference Every Day: Your food will fuel young minds and set the tone for a successful, happy day in school. You’re not just cooking—you're nurturing the next generation.
- Flexible & Supportive Environment: We prioritize work-life balance and believe in creating a work atmosphere where you can grow and thrive.
- Professional Growth: We invest in your development! With continuous learning opportunities, you’ll grow your skills and passion while making a meaningful difference.
- Work with Kids: If you love kids, this is the place for you. You'll get to see those excited faces when they enjoy your food!
- Be Part of Something Bigger: This is not just a job— it’s a movement to transform communities and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
- Sign-on Bonus - $1,000 Hiring Bonus for external candidates (50% after 90 days of employment and 50% after one year of employment)
- Starting salary $35,360 ($17.00 hr.) - minimum, based on experience
We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:
- Health, dental and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage
- 401k with company match
- Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
- 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Flexible Spending Account
- Company Paid STD & LTD Insurance
- Company Paid Life Insurance
What You'll Do:
- Cook with Creativity: Prepare healthy, tasty, and balanced meals that students can’t wait to eat. Bring fresh ideas to the menu that are fun, nutritious, and delicious.
- Be a Meal Magician: Help students discover new flavors while keeping their favorite meals in rotation. It’s all about striking that perfect balance!
- Create an Inviting Kitchen: Keep the kitchen running smoothly, organized, and safe. We want your workspace to be as vibrant as your meals!
- Collaborate & Inspire: Work with other school staff to ensure that the meals align with students’ needs, dietary restrictions, and school goals.
- Spread Joy: You’ll be the unsung hero of the school day—your food is what fuels everything that happens after the bell rings!
What We're Looking for:
- Passion for Cooking: You genuinely love food and are excited about making healthy, delicious meals for students.
- Positive Vibes: You bring energy, creativity, and a can-do attitude to everything you do.
- Experience: Previous cooking or food service experience is a plus, but we’ll happily train someone who’s excited to learn!
- Team Player: You thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where everyone is working toward a common goal.
- Safety & Cleanliness: You’ll ensure the kitchen and food prep areas are always safe, clean, and compliant with health standards.
Credentials Required:
- HS Diploma or GED and food preparation experience
- Experience in quantity food preparation and inventory control is preferred. Previous 0-5 childcare experience preferred
- Current Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
- Background Check: Safety is important—successful candidates will undergo a background screening.
How This Aligns with Our Mission:
At our core, we’re all about catalyzing change by developing strong families and powerful communities. As a teacher with us, you’ll play a pivotal role in this mission by shaping the minds of the next generation while also being a positive force in the lives of their families. You’re not just teaching—you’re helping to create a ripple effect that strengthens entire communities where children truly matter most.
While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.
IL Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer.
Company at a glance
Illinois Action for Children is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to quality, accessible early learning and care opportunities for children. With nearly 600 employees representing more than 20 programs and service across four sites, we have championed the cause of quality child care and early education for families and children throughout Illinois for over 50 years.
Illinois Action for Children is a state and national leader in the early care and education community, distinguished by its "Strong Families, Powerful Communities" approach to child development, preschool education and other family and community supports.
This broad approach to supporting children by supporting families is a proven and effective means to address overarching issues of endemic poverty, which are the root cause of the educational failure of America's poorest children.
Illinois Action for Children's outreach and work with low-income, hard-to-reach families, has led us to research and implement highly effective and innovative programs and advocacy to ensure that early care and education, and other opportunities, are accessible to the children most in need. Highlights from our programs include:
- Public Policy & Advocacy organizing to expand access to child care and early education, and other supports.
- Early Learning Programs to make early education available to young children so they will be ready to succeed when they start school.
- Resource and Referral Program to connect child care providers, parents, and employers with resources such as child care referrals, professional development, health services and community supports.
Our mission is to be a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
Top Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401k With Company Match
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Floating Holiday
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Flexible Spending Account
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Sign-on Bonus
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