4 Hour Cook

Job Title: Cook

Reports To: Head Cook (Building)

Contract Length: 188 Days

Exempt/Nonexempt: NonExempt

Department: Food Service

Reynoldsburg City Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. At Reynoldsburg, our educators embody the principles outlined in Our Portrait of an Educator, inspiring students to innovate, collaborate, and excel. For more information, visit https://www.reyn.org/about-rcs/mission-vision-values.

Primary Job Function

The Reynoldsburg City Schools Cook is responsible for preparing and serving nutritious, safe, and appealing meals to students in accordance with federal and state child nutrition program requirements. This position supports daily kitchen operations by preparing food, serving meals, operating point-of-sale systems, maintaining sanitation standards, and ensuring a positive dining experience for students.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED
• Ability to perform physical requirements of the position, including lifting up to 50 pounds
• Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior food service or institutional kitchen experience
• Experience handling cash and operating POS systems
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Primary functions may include the following duties, responsibilities, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions within this classification.

Meal Preparation and Food Production

• Prepare breakfast and lunch items according to approved menus, standardized recipes, and production records.
• Pre-portion, dish-up, and cook hot and cold food items to ensure quality and freshness throughout meal service.
• Assist with menu and recipe suggestions to support meal variety and student satisfaction.
• Prepare food for future service as needed, including next-day breakfast preparation.

Meal Service Operations

• Set up and stock serving lines, milk coolers, snack carts, trays, utensils, and paper goods.
• Serve meals to students and staff in a courteous and professional manner.
• Operate the POS system and collect meal payments as assigned.
• Verify that all meals served meet school lunch program requirements.
• Maintain adequate stock of food items during meal service.

Cash Handling and Records

• Collect money and issue café money reminders as required.
• Balance cash register drawers and complete required paperwork.
• Make bank deposits when acting as head cook.
• Sign daily production and service documentation with the head cook at the end of each shift.

Sanitation, Safety, and Compliance

• Ensure safety of students and staff during food preparation and service.
• Follow all food handling, safety, sanitation, and HACCP procedures.
• Verify unused food quantities and ensure leftovers are properly stored.
• Wash, sanitize, and store trays, dishes, utensils, pots, pans, and equipment.
• Clean and sanitize work surfaces, sinks, and stainless steel equipment.
• Maintain cleanliness of the kitchen, including sweeping, mopping, and trash removal.

Inventory, Deliveries, and Equipment

• Assist with checking in deliveries and properly storing food and supplies.
• Put away food truck deliveries on designated delivery days.
• Assist head cook with ordering and inventory as requested.
• Operate, clean, and maintain kitchen equipment safely.

Team Support and Coverage

• Work collaboratively with kitchen staff to support efficient operations.
• Fill in for the head cook when assigned and perform head cook duties as needed.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and crisis situations.
• Interact positively with students, staff, parents, and visitors.

Professional Conduct and Training

• Exhibit professional behavior, sound judgment, and emotional stability.
• Maintain confidentiality of student and staff information.
• Complete required annual continued education, Civil Rights training, and HACCP training.
• Attend meetings and in-services as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• School lunch program regulations.
• Food handling, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Weights, measures, menu planning, and basic food costing.

Skilled in:

• Food production and preparation techniques.
• Operating POS systems and kitchen equipment.
• Completing production sheets, orders, and cash reports.

Ability to:

• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with students, staff, and families.
• Demonstrate patience, professionalism, and customer service skills.
• Perform basic math calculations accurately.
• Adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS

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

Physical Demands - While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods. The employee frequently bends, stoops, crouches, kneels, reaches, and performs repetitive hand motions. The employee must be able to push, pull, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions - The employee in this position may experience occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue. The employee may also be required to interact with unruly children. Work may occur in fast-paced kitchen environments with temperature variations, heat, humidity, and noise.

Driving Requirement - This position may require driving to various school sites or events. Occasional operation of a motor vehicle may be required, including during inclement weather.

This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow the instructions and perform the duties required by the employee's supervisor and or appointing authority.