Careers

Head Start Cook

Western Dairyland Head Start is hiring a Cook to work at our Head Start Center located at 905 Alder Street, Black River Falls, WI. This is a part-time, 34 hours per week, Monday through Thursday position. The wage range for this position is  $16.24 to $21.66 per hour. The Head Start Cook is responsible for planning, preparing, serving, and recording healthy and nutritious meals to Head Start children and classroom staff.

Head Start promotes school readiness of children under the age of five from income-eligible families by supporting their growth and development in a positive learning environment through comprehensive services, which include early learning, health, and family well-being. We're a mission-driven organization making a positive impact in our community since 1966.

Essential Functions

• Set up meal service procedures.
• Prepare and serve breakfast, noon lunch, and snacks.
• Comply with Head Start and USDA nutrition standards and preparing meals.
• Plan and post weekly menus.
• Consult with Health Manager and/or agency nutritionist at regular intervals.
• Attend yearly agency nutrition training.
• Purchase food and food related items to maintain inventory.
• Store all food items to safeguard quality.
• Prepare menus and recipes for parents’ newsletter.
• Plan and carry out food related activities for children.
• Arrange food related displays for classrooms.
• Wash dishes.
• Maintain sanitary condition in kitchen and serving area.
• Complete monthly inventory to assure accountability.
• Check invoices and statements for accuracy.
• Maintain accurate food service records.

Qualifications 

• To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and must:  
  • Be proficient cooking skills
  • Have recordkeeping abilities
  • Have budgeting abilities
  • Be able to maintain a high level of confidentiality  
  • Be punctual
  • Be able to make decisions sometimes immediately
  • Have good organizational skills

Education and/or Experience

• Experience or training in nutritional menu planning
• Quantity food purchasing and preparation
• Must meet current certifications as outlined in the Wisconsin Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations and the Head Start Program Performance Standards 
• 18 years of age
• 4 hours annual training in kitchen sanitation, food handling and nutrition

We offer a complete benefits package including:

Vacation, personal leave, holidays, sick leave

• Summers off
• 63 hours of vacation during the school year
• 18 hours of personal time off
• 8 paid holidays during the school year
• Sick leave accrued at 0.05709 hours per hour worked
  • approximately 6 hours of sick leave per month for full-time employees
  • maximum accrued sick leave of 432 hours
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability agency paid

401(k) plan with up to a 6% match 

Employees can contribute immediately. After 1 year of employment, the agency will contribute between 3 and 6 percent, dependent on the employee's contribution.

Health Insurance

• 90% of premiums covered for individual coverage
• 75% premiums covered for additional coverage needed
• $3,750 deductible reimbursement for individuals and up to $6,500 reimbursed for family deductibles
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts for both Health and Dependent Care

Dental Insurance

• Employee Only $38.16 per month
• Employee + Family $112.56 per month

Vision Insurance

• Employee Only $5.43 per month
• Employee + Spouse $12.47 per month
• Employee + Child(ren) $13.82 per month
• Employee + Family $21.10 per month

Additional Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program - fully paid
• Basic Life Insurance - fully paid (plus additional group coverage amounts)
• Flexible work schedule with generous accommodations for family, school, and volunteer commitments
• Opportunities for continuing education, conferences, and classes
• Employees have access to our Discount Marketplace
• WDEOC is a qualified employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Incorporated is an equal opportunity employer.