Job Title: Nutrition Aide/Housekeeping
Department: Head Start
Reports To: Center Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Prepared By: Human Resources
Prepared Date: 03/03/11
Approved By:
Approved Date:
Summary: The Nutrition Aide will transport lunches and assist in the classrooms with lunch duties as needed. The
Nutrition Aide will provide classroom coverage for teaching staff for required breaks. The Nutrition Aide also
prepares the food to be served to the children and distributes it in to family style serving dishes. This position is also
responsible for general housekeeping in the center including: mopping and sweeping floors, vacuuming carpets,
cleaning bathrooms and classroom sinks, and all other areas in the center that need cleaning on a daily and weekly
basis.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Shop for and deliver food and supplies as needed.
Picks up lunch and delivers it to the center.
Washes, peels, cuts, and seeds vegetables and fruits.
Heats and prepare special food when necessary.
Weighs and measures designated ingredients.
Assists children with setting tables, serving food, and performing other lunch time duties.
Guide children to set tables, pass food, and practice good table manners according to early childhood practices.
Wash dishes, if applicable.
Returns dishes and equipment after lunch.
Carries pans, kettles, and trays of food to and from work stations, stove, and refrigerator.
Stores foods in designated areas.
Maintains kitchen and food preparation areas, including sink, refrigerator, small appliances, and storage areas as
needed on a daily and weekly basis.
Cleans work areas, equipment and utensils, segregates and removes garbage, and cleans garbage containers.
Distributes supplies, utensils, and portable equipment.
Practice and maintain good sanitation practices, including Food and Nutrition Quality Assurance Forms.
Complete paperwork in accordance to Head Start and CACFP guidelines.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Analytical - Designs work flows and procedures.
Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in
group problem solving situations.
Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without
interrupting; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification;
Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Able to read and
interpret written information.
Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives
and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able
to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively
influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves
organizational resources.
Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and
ethically; Upholds organizational values.
Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization's goals and values; Supports
affirmative action and respects diversity.
Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths &
weaknesses.
Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains
reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Measures self against standard of excellence.
Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently.
Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and
consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on
commitments.
Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner.
Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines;
Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected
events.
Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent;
Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps
commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
Initiative - Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions
for improving work.
Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty
satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Less than high school education; or up to one month related experience or training; or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Language Skills
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple
correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers,
clients, and other employees of the organization.
Mathematical Skills
No skills needed
Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability
to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
Computer Skills
Some knowledge of computers helpful.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid NYS driver's license and personal transportation
Other Skills and Abilities
Willing to learn and understand the needs of young children
Other Qualifications
Physical Demands 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 accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel;
talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The
employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or
move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job
include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The
noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Supplementary Information
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s)
incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to
perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification
to accommodate persons with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the
skills, aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals
who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements
listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will"
relationship.
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Employee Signature
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Date