Cook, Head Start

Role overview

This full-time regular Cook position sits within Save the Children’s Head Start, U.S. Programs division and reports to the Manager, Health & Nutrition or the Center Director. The role supports the food service needs of children and families in a Head Start/Early Head Start setting by handling meal planning support, food preparation, serving, documentation, and kitchen workflow.

For more than a century, Save the Children has worked to advance children’s rights, including access to health, education, and safety. The organization operates in more than 100 countries, including across the United States, and aims to create lasting positive change for children and communities.

What the role involves

The cook is responsible for keeping the kitchen running smoothly while meeting health, food safety, sanitation, and storage standards. Meals and snacks must follow approved menus and USDA/CACFP requirements, including appropriate preparation for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. The role can also require moving between kitchens or centers when program needs change.

As a frontline representative, the position also carries a responsibility to help safeguard children and families while consistently reflecting the organization’s values of accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity, and integrity.

Essential duties

• Prepare and serve meals and support food-related tasks according to approved menus and dietitian/nutritionist guidance, including special preparations for children with disabilities or other special needs.
• Adjust meals for dietary restrictions and keep accurate records in paper files and designated online systems while protecting family confidentiality.
• Track inventory for food, supplies, and equipment needed for food service operations.
• Receive, process, and store food and related items properly when delivered.
• Use, clean, and maintain kitchen utensils and institutional food service equipment safely.
• Follow sanitation standards for food storage, handling, and preparation.
• Manage full kitchen operations and, depending on workload, may direct staff or volunteer help.
• Support a cost-conscious food service program that complies with federal, state, and local rules while helping control food and labor expenses.
• Use standardized recipes and prepare serving quantities that meet CACFP meal requirements.
• Prepare and serve all meals as scheduled, with attention to freshness and presentation.
• Post and share the weekly menu.
• Deliver meals to classrooms and other centers when needed.
• Use active supervision to ensure children are never left alone or unsupervised.
• Work with clear procedures, manage time effectively, and stay organized.
• Keep management updated on significant issues.
• Build strong working relationships with coworkers, children, and families.
• Carry out other related duties assigned by the manager.

Required qualifications

Applicants should have a high school diploma and at least 3 years of relevant experience. The role calls for knowledge of basic food preparation, kitchen operations, and food safety practices, along with the ability to work sensitively with children and cooperatively with staff, parents, and families. Strong teamwork, customer service orientation, organization, initiative, and professional spoken and written English are also required. Candidates must be able to handle family information with strict confidentiality and understand the basics of working with infants, toddlers, and preschool children.

Preferred qualifications

Experience meeting Health Department regulations, USDA standards, and Head Start standards is preferred, as is prior work with CACFP. ServSafe certification is also preferred. Bilingual ability, especially English/Spanish or English plus another language commonly spoken locally, is an advantage. The ideal candidate can communicate and collaborate effectively across internal and external stakeholders, solve problems well, manage time effectively, follow directions, and take initiative. Familiarity with the purpose of Head Start/Early Head Start, a child-sensitive approach, and strict confidentiality is preferred. Participation in professional development, including basic first aid and pediatric CPR as required by state licensing and HSPPS, is expected. A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging is also preferred.

Additional qualifications

This position requires medium to heavy physical work, including lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 5–10 pounds constantly. Tasks may involve sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repeated motions, keyboarding, and computer use.

Employment is contingent on passing pre-employment checks, including local, state, and national criminal background screening, sex offender registry checks, employment and education verification, and, where required, a child abuse registry check. Candidates must also meet all state and local health requirements after an offer and before starting work.

The role may require driving a motor vehicle to perform essential duties. A valid driver’s license must be maintained and the employee must follow all internal policies related to safe vehicle operation.

Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will be given preference for vacancies when they are otherwise qualified.

Compensation

Pay starts at $15 per hour. Actual pay may differ based on experience, credentials, internal peer pay, and other role-specific qualifications.

Benefits and workplace support

• 10 days of winter break, 5 days of spring break, an additional 5 hours of PTO, and 11 paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• HSA access with employer matching contributions when enrolled in a qualifying high-deductible health plan.
• FSA options for health care and dependent care expenses.
• Agency-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Parental, adoption, and fertility benefits.
• Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions after one year.
• Wellness support through Calm and organization-hosted events.
• Confidential employee assistance services, including assessment, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up.
• Access to internal and external learning, development, mentorship, certification support, and tuition assistance.

Safety and organizational commitment

Save the Children emphasizes child safety, abuse prevention, and secure working conditions for employees. All representatives are expected to avoid any conduct that could contribute to child abuse and to help maintain safe conditions while reducing risk exposure in the workplace.

Accessibility

Applicants who need disability assistance with the application or recruitment process may request support by email.