Lead Cook

Job Summary:

The Head Cook is responsible for overseeing the daily preparation and service of nutritious meals in accordance with federal state and local guidelines within Deer Park School Districts food service program. This position ensures high standards of food quality safety and sanitation while managing kitchen staff inventory and meal planning. The Head Cook works closely with food service directors school administrators and nutrition guidelines to provide students with balanced meals that support their academic success and overall well-being. Works with third-party management companies to order food and follow USDA guidelines.

Essential Functions:

1. Prepares food within the established production system as assigned by the menus/recipes provided.
2. Follows established procedures for accurate checking and shipping of meal components to satellite locations if needed.
3. Must be able to follow oral and written directions
4. Stocks portions and serves food in a neat and sanitary manner
5. Reports any quality or recipe design issues to the manager
6. Follows established preparations service methods and food handling techniques to ensure acceptable standards
7. Follows USDA requirements and reports any issues or compliance concerns to the manager
8. May wash dishes utensils pots and pans and operate a dishwasher
9. Maintains all OSPI and HACCP recording requirements. Prepares food/milk orders and maintains necessary supplies for assigned meals.
10. Completes required monthly inventory.
11. Monitors functioning of the kitchen reporting issues to the principal and/or manager
12. Maintains a positive motivating and caring attitude for students and is able to supervise and work well with those students assigned to the office.
13. Works well within the team environment in individual kitchens departments and schools.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Food Handlers permit or ability to secure before the start date
2. Strongly prefer previous experience in a school/commercial kitchen
3. Prefer formal cooking training
4. High School Graduate or equivalent

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of basic food handling techniques safe work practices and ability to use basic kitchen tools and equipment.
2. Knowledge and support of established standards of sanitation for self food handling or preparation kitchen equipment and cafeteria
3. Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work and communicate with students staff and third-party management company
4. Ability to follow oral and written directions
5. Demonstrated skill in approaching issues positively and proactively

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 the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT and SALARY:

As outlined by and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) of Public School Employees of Deer Park Association and the Policies and Procedures of Deer Park School District. CBAs and Salary Schedules can be reviewed from the Human Resources page of the Deer Park School District website: Park policies and Procedures can be accessed online at 2026-27 base salary range for this position in the Deer Park School District is between $19.72 and $24.90 per hour. Placement is determined by school district experience. Other forms of compensation may be available to the hired applicant in addition to their established salary range or wage scale as defined within the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Benefits:

This position is benefits eligible including medical dental vision life and AD&D and flexible spending arrangements in accordance with the state School Employees Benefits Board: position is eligible for retirement: This position is evaluated by the Principal or Assistant Principal

Application Requirements

• Applicants must complete the application online at and must include the following:
• Resume
• Cover letter
• Three (3) letters of reference
• Confidential reference checks (at least 1 including a most recent supervisor)

As required by RCW 28A.400.303 school district employees are required to complete a Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks. Newly hired employees are responsible for the completion of the background check prior to hire.

Verification of identity and United States Work Authorization must be completed before employment commences.

Please contact Suzanne McKibbon at if disability accommodation is needed during the application process.

Notice of Nondiscrimination: Deer Park School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities including employment on the basis of sex race creed religion color national origin age veteran or military status sexual orientation gender expression or identity disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to:

Applicants requesting reasonable accommodation in compliance with

Federal and state law should contact HR at or