Central Kitchen Cook

La Mesa-Spring Valley SD

La Mesa, CA

Apply

JOB DETAILS

SALARY

$20.23–$25.79 Per Hour

SKILLS

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), Beverages, Cafeteria, Communication Skills, Conferences, Cook Dishes, Disability Accommodations, Employee Orientation, Equipment Maintenance/Repair, Food Flavor, Food Quality, Food Safety, Food Services, Food and Beverage Industry, Forecasting, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), High School Diploma, Inventory Estimates, Leadership, Legal, Maintenance Services, Medical Assistance, Nutrition, Patient Care, Performance Reviews, Perishable Foods, Portion Control, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Production Systems, Quality Metrics, Record Keeping, Sales, Sanitation, ServSafe Certification, Team Player, Time Management, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Waitressing, Writing Skills

LOCATION

La Mesa, CA

POSTED

6 days ago

Salary: $20.23 - $25.79 Hourly
Location : Various locations in La Mesa-Spring Valley, CA
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Job Number: 2526-57
Department: Child Nutrition
Opening Date:06/02/2026
Closing Date: 6/23/2026 4:30 PM Pacific

Job Summary & Examination Date

2526-57 (PROMOTIONAL ONLY)

*** THIS RECRUITMENT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS PROMOTIONAL-ONLY - ONLY APPLICATIONS OF CURRENT, CONTRACTED EMPLOYEES OF LMSVSD WILL BE CONSIDERED ***

Under the guidance of the Central Kitchen Manager, performs duties at an assigned central kitchen related to cooking, baking and preparing large quantities of food items for transport to multiple school sites; verifies quantities and specifications of orders; maintains kitchen facilities, equipment and utensils in a clean and sanitary condition; trains, provides leadership and work guidance to assigned personnel in the performance of their job functions

An examination will be given to establish an eligibility list for the position of Central Kitchen Cook in order to fill current and future vacancies. These positions are 8 hours/day, 206 days/year. The eligibility list will be valid for 6 months or until exhausted (whichever comes first).

Faxed materials are not acceptable.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Completed online applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application or supplemental questions; however, applicants may submit resumes along with the completed online application.

A resume will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Make sure your application thoroughly details your education and work experience.

The examination process may include one or more of the following: written exam, performance and/or technical oral examination.

Merit Exam: TBA (by invitation only)

Examinations will be given by appointment only. Following the conclusion of the Examination process, the candidates will be ranked and notified of their scores.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the recruitment process for disabled persons. Advance notice is required. Call 619-668-5700 Ext. 6412 for arrangements.
Examples of Duties

Assists in performing cashiering duties as assigned; operates a Point-of-Sale (P.O.S.) machine as assigned; receives money for food and beverages sold; maintains records of meals and beverages served and monies accepted as assigned; assists with preparing deposits according to established procedures.

Assures availability of items required for meeting projected menu requirements; monitors inventory levels of food items, utensils and supplies; orders, receives, stores and rotates food items and supplies; conducts meal counts and inventories.

Communicates with personnel and various outside agencies to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns; monitors kitchen and cafeteria areas

Cooks food from scratch for multiple student nutritional programs and catered events for the purpose of meeting mandated nutritional and projected meal requirements.

Determines appropriate quantity of food items for cooking and adjusts recipes; assures compliance with food quality standards including appearance and nutritional requirements; heats and cooks food according to standardized recipes to meet scheduled menu requirements and operating time lines.

Evaluates prepared food for flavor, appearance and temperature; presents items that will be accepted by students and/or staff.

Inspects food items for the purpose of verifying quantity, quality and specifications of orders to meet preparation requirements and complying with mandated health standards.

Leads and participates in large-quantity cooking and baking in the preparation of foods such as main dishes, vegetables, fruits and salads in a production kitchen environment; oversees the preparation and serving of food and beverage items.

Maintains a variety of records and reports related to daily food item distribution, inventory and assigned activities including parent notices, daily counts, free/reduced meal counts, fridge/freezer temperatures, food forecasting sheets, bank deposits, food/milk orders, inventory and supply lists, machine logs; processes and completes food transport sheets as required.

Maintains kitchen facilities and equipment in a clean and sanitary condition; cleans utensils, equipment, storage area, food preparation and serving areas and food service equipment; operates dish washers and wash trays, pots, pans, plates, utensils and other serving equipment as assigned.

Operates standard food service equipment such as slicers, ovens, can openers, food carts, mixers, choppers, stoves and warmers.

Oversees and participates in the measuring and weighing of ingredients; calculates, adjusts and extends recipes; estimates needed quantities of food and supplies; assembles, mixes and prepares a variety of ingredients and supplies; assures proper temperature of foods.

Performs functions of other nutritional services positions, as requested by supervisor to ensure adequate staff coverage within site nutritional services operations.

Prepares food items and utensils for distribution to school sites according to individual school needs as assigned; reviews and verifies quantities of outgoing shipments; loads hot and cold transport carts with specified food items and supplies for distribution to school sites.

Reports equipment malfunctions and/or facility repair/replacement needs of the kitchen for the purpose of maintaining equipment in safe working order.

Trains and provides leadership and work guidance to assigned personnel; reviews work to assure accuracy, completeness and compliance with established specifications; provides input concerning employee evaluations as requested.
OTHER DUTIES:
Attends and participates in meeting, in-service trainings, workshops and conferences.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and two years increasingly responsible experience in the preparation of food in large quantities including one year performing cooking duties involving following and extending recipes.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Successful passage of the District's Job Related Proficiency Test.
Valid Food Safety Manager Certificate (ServSafe Certificate or its equivalent)
Qualified candidates can take merit exam without certificate - but must be obtained prior to employment into the position.
Incumbents are required to adhere to the annual minimum required training hours for School Nutrition Managers per the USDA Guide to Professional Standards for School Nutritional Programs.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Basic inventory practices and procedures.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Methods of adjusting and extending recipes and proper substitutions.
Methods of preparing and serving foods in large quantities.
Oral and written communication skills.
Portion control techniques.
Principles of training and providing work direction.
Proper lifting techniques.
Record-keeping techniques.
Sanitation and safety practices related to preparing, handling and serving food.
Standard kitchen equipment, utensils and measurements.
Storage and rotation of perishable food.
Terminology, techniques, ingredients, equivalent measures and abbreviations used in cooking.

ABILITY TO:
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Conduct daily inventories and estimate appropriate amounts of food items and supplies.
Determine appropriate quantity of food items for cooking.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Follow and assure compliance with health and sanitation requirements.
Follow, adjust and extend recipes.
Maintain kitchen facilities, equipment and utensils in a clean and sanitary condition.
Maintain various records related to work performed.
Meet schedules and time lines.
Operate standard kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
Participate in large-quantity cooking in the preparation of foods such as main dishes, vegetables, fruits and salads in a production kitchen environment.
Prepare attractive, appetizing and nutritious meals for students and staff.
Store and rotate food supplies in storage areas according to established procedures.
Train and provide work direction and guidance to assigned personnel.
Work independently with little direction.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
ENVIRONMENT:
Food service environment.
Subject to heat from ovens.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Standing for extended periods of time.
Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling moderately heavy objects as assigned by position.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate food service equipment.
Reaching overhead, above shoulders and horizontally.
Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching.
Seeing to monitor food quality and quantity.

HAZARDS:
Heat from ovens.
Exposure to very hot foods, equipment, and metal objects.
Working around knives, slicers or other sharp objects.
Exposure to cleaning chemicals and fumes.
The District provides excellent benefits for permanent employees who work 20 or more hours per week, including:
*Substitute positions do not qualify for District covered benefits*

1. Medical: Choice of VEBA (Kaiser or United Health Care)

2. Dental: Delta Dental or Delta Care HMO (District-paid for employee only)

3. Life: Life ($50,000) and Accidental Death & Dismemberment ($50,000). Also includes MEDEX Travel Assistance (for medical care situations 100 miles from home or international trips up to 90 days; with some exclusions)

4. Vacation: (10+); Sick (9.50+ days per year) - vacation/sick accumulation days increase with years of service

5. Employee Assistance Program: (at no cost to employee): through San Diego County EAP

6. VEBA Optum Health: Employee assistance program * Note: Benefits are subject to change.

Voluntary Plans:
-Dependent life insurance coverage

-Disability plans through American Fidelity

-Vision: VSP Vision Care $10.20/monthly paid by employee

-403(b) Retirement

-MetLaw prepaid legal through Hyatt Legal Plans

In addition:
- Bargaining unit eligible employees may elect to become a CSEA member.

- Employees working 20 hours per week or more are enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system.
01

A resume will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Make sure your application details your education and work experience.

Did you complete the application?

02

Completion of the following supplemental questions is required. Do not reference application or resume in lieu of completion. Do you understand this requirement?

03

A minimum requirement of the Central Kitchen Cook position is possession of a valid Food Safety Manager Certificate (ServSafe Certificate or its equivalent)Qualified candidates can take merit exam without certificate - but must be obtained prior to employment into the position.Do you understand this minimum requirement?

04

The La Mesa-Spring Valley School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Board Policy 4030 prohibits unlawful discrimination and/or harassment of district employees and job applicants based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital or parental status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Board Policy 4119.11 prohibits sexual harassment of district employees and job applicants. Complaints alleging unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment may be filed with the Coordinator for Nondiscrimination in Employment, the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the recruitment process for disabled persons. Advance notice is required. Call 619-668-5700 Ext. 6412 for arrangements. Have you read the above anti-discriminatory statement?

05

Do you have at least two years increasingly responsible experience in the preparation of food in large quantities?

06

Please detail your experience in preparation of food in large quantities. What is the largest number of meals you have prepared from a recipe?
Required Question

About the Company

La Mesa-Spring Valley SD

Resume Resources

Free Resume Templates Free Resume Builder