Kitchen Assistant, Childcare

Summary: Carry out all assigned duties dedicated to the provision of nutrition services and general cleanliness of the center's kitchen. On occasion, substitute in the absence of classroom teachers as needed.

Why Work for SMOC?

• Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
• 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
• Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist with food inventory and food ordering for the center.
• Assist with storage of delivered foods from US Foods, Maines Dairy, and Franklin Caterers.
• Check temperatures of delivered foods from caterer each day.
• Prepare breakfasts and snacks and deliver to individual classrooms.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen area and supplies including counters, cabinets, shelves, appliances and carts.
• Check and maintain staff refrigerators and classroom refrigerators for dated supplies.
• Attend & participate in team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.
• Substitute for school bus monitors and classroom assistant teachers as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.  

Knowledge and Skill Requirements: 

• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Must be comfortable working with diverse backgrounds and able to effectively communicate with children, families and co-workers.
• Priority given to past or present Head Start parents.  

Organizational Relationship: Directly reports to Center Director/ Assistant Director. 

Physical Requirement:  

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to carry a quantity of items necessary for the operation of a commercial kitchen.
• Recent physical exam demonstrating good health. 

Working Conditions: This position is located in an early education environment and interacts regularly with children and families. As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Kitchen Assistant will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Office of Head Start and the Department of Early Education and Care. A successful background check is required.