Lunch Program Cook

Overview

The Lunch Program Cook is responsible for planning, preparing, and serving daily lunches for approximately 100 students and staff. This part-time role takes place during school hours and plays an important part in caring for Hope's students and staff through dependable, thoughtful, and quality food service.

This position requires someone who is organized, reliable, able to work independently, and committed to providing simple, healthy, appealing meals in a clean and welcoming environment.

Job Scope

Essential Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare a weekly lunch menu and communicate it to teachers and parents in advance.
• Prepare and serve daily lunches for approximately 100 students and staff.
• Provide balanced meals that include a variety of food groups, including protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and grains.
• Plan meals with awareness of the approved budget, available supplies, and donated food items.
• Monitor food inventory and communicate supply needs in a timely manner.
• Maintain awareness of student allergies, dietary restrictions, and special meal needs as communicated by school leadership.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen, food preparation area, and serving area.
• Clean and reset all kitchen and lunch areas after meal service.
• Follow all applicable food safety, health, school, and ministry guidelines.
• Communicate clearly with school staff, supervisors, volunteers, and other team members.
• Help maintain a structured, positive, and respectful lunch environment.
• Communicate when additional help is needed and work alongside volunteers when available.
• Use proper portions to ensure all students and staff are served well while minimizing waste.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Reliable, punctual, and able to work independently.
• Able to prepare simple, appealing meals for a large group.
• Organized and able to manage food preparation, serving, and cleanup within the school lunch schedule.
• Able to take ownership of the lunch program and proactively identify needs.
• Strong communication skills with staff, volunteers, and team members.
• Flexible and able to adjust meals based on supply availability, timing, or unexpected changes.
• Committed to maintaining proper food safety and sanitation standards.
• Able to work in a Christian ministry environment and serve students and staff with kindness, professionalism, and care.
• Able to successfully complete all required background screening and child safety requirements.
• Able to obtain required food safety certification, if not already certified.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience cooking for groups.
• Experience in a school, childcare, cafeteria, or kitchen setting.
• Basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Experience working with volunteers or in a ministry/nonprofit environment.

Physical Requirements

• This position requires the ability to stand for extended periods of time; bend, reach, lift, carry, and move food or kitchen supplies; safely use standard kitchen equipment; and work in environments that may include heat, cold storage, wet floors, and cleaning supplies. Reasonable accommodations may be made when appropriate.

Schedule

• This is a part-time position during school hours. The specific schedule may vary based on the school calendar, lunch schedule, special events, and operational needs.

Mission Fit

• The Lunch Program Cook should understand that this role is an important part of caring for Hope's students and staff. The right person will serve with excellence, consistency, humility, and a genuine desire to support the mission of Hope Children's Home.

Other:

Staff members hired by Hope Children's Home must be dedicated to maintaining and instilling Christian values in the children they care for. All Hope Children's Home employees must be born-again Christians and agree with our Mission Statement, Core Values, and Doctrinal Statements. Additionally, staff members are hired based on professional and educational credentials, demonstrated experience, and Christian testimony.

Hope Children's Home is generally exempt from the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes illegal discrimination in employment based on religion. Therefore, we retain the right to give preference in hiring to persons who are Christian, and/or in good standing with this organization. Beyond this religion exception, however, it is our employment practice to tolerate no discrimination in hiring, compensating, promoting, or terminating employees because of an individual's race, color, sex (except as pastoral staff needs require), national origin, disability, veteran status, or age. This policy is based on laws established under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable local, state, and federal guidelines.