Paradise Christian School
Preschool Kitchen Cook/Dishwasher
Paradise Christian School, Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Job Title
School Cook – Dishwasher (USDA / CCFP Food Program)
Location Paradise Christian School – Hialeah, FL
Program USDA Child Care Food Program (CCFP).
Position Type Full-Time
Reports To Facility Manager and Social Services Lead (USDA responsible).
Job Summary
Paradise Christian School is seeking a dedicated School Cook–Dishwasher to prepare and serve nutritious meals for approximately 215 children and 30+ staff members. The position supports our participation in the USDA Child Care Food Program (CCFP) and requires strict adherence to USDA, Florida Department of Health, Miami-Dade County, and Department of Children and Families (DCF) regulations.
The Cook–Dishwasher is responsible for preparing breakfast, hot lunch, and afternoon snack, ensuring meals are delivered safely to classrooms, maintaining sanitation standards, managing food inventory, and accommodating special dietary needs and allergies. This role is essential to creating a safe, healthy, and joyful environment for children and staff.
Key Responsibilities
Prepare and cook breakfast, hot lunch, and snacks on-site following approved USDA/CCFP menus.
Serve and deliver meals to classrooms in a safe manner following USDA, CCFP, and Health Department guidelines.
Follow required portion sizes and approved substitutions only when authorized.
Prepare alternate meals for children with special dietary needs, medical diets, and food allergies.
Maintain confidentiality for children with special diet requirements.
Maintain proper food temperatures, storage, labeling, and expiration date checks.
Perform proper dishwashing, sanitation, and kitchen cleaning procedures.
Maintain accurate food service records, meal counts, inventory logs, and required documentation.
Assist with food ordering and reporting using basic computer systems.
Follow all food safety, sanitation, and cross-contamination prevention protocols.
Follow emergency food safety procedures as outlined by the center.
Work collaboratively as part of the Paradise Christian School team (“The Paradise Family”).
Requirements
Ability to work efficiently and meet strict meal service timelines.
Experience cooking and preparing meals in a commercial or institutional kitchen.
Ability to follow written menus, directions, and compliance requirements.
Strong organizational skills to maintain food inventory, labeling, and storage.
Knowledge of proper food handling, thawing, preparation, and sanitation procedures.
Understanding of food allergies, special diets, and prevention of cross-contact.
Ability to maintain required hot and cold food holding temperatures.
Experience with kitchen inventory management and accountability.
Ability to keep accurate records and documentation.
Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, or similar) for ordering and reporting.
Positive, professional disposition and ability to contribute to a joyful work environment.
Ability to work as part of a collaborative and supportive team.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
This is a fast-paced, physically demanding position in a commercial childcare kitchen.
Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time throughout the workday.
Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull kitchen equipment, pots, pans, and food supplies.
Requires frequent bending, stooping, reaching, and repetitive motions.
Must be able to work efficiently under time constraints to meet scheduled meal service times.
Work environment includes heat, steam, noise, and fast movement typical of an active kitchen.
Must be able to safely perform all job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
Applicants must be able to safety meet the physical demands of the position as an essential function of the job.
Language Requirements
Must speak and read sufficient English to understand menus, special diet instructions, and compliance documentation.
Basic Spanish required to communicate effectively with our predominantly Spanish-speaking population.
Credentials and Documents Required
Valid Food Service Certification (e.g., ServSafe Food Handler).
ServSafe Certification required.
Food Manager Certification preferred.
Current First Aid and CPR Certification.
45 DCF Training Hours preferred (must be completed within 90 days if not already obtained).
DCF School Readiness and Pre-Hire Courses preferred (professional development plan provided if not completed).
Ability to pass FDLE Level 2 Background Screening.
Willingness to complete and pass a drug screening.
Must complete and pass a physical examination and TB test as required by licensing.
Why Join Paradise Christian School?
Supportive, family-oriented work environment.
Mission-driven program serving children and families in our community.
Commitment to compliance, excellence, and care.
Opportunity to be part of an amazing team — The Paradise Family.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Location Paradise Christian School – Hialeah, FL
Program USDA Child Care Food Program (CCFP).
Position Type Full-Time
Reports To Facility Manager and Social Services Lead (USDA responsible).
Job Summary
Paradise Christian School is seeking a dedicated School Cook–Dishwasher to prepare and serve nutritious meals for approximately 215 children and 30+ staff members. The position supports our participation in the USDA Child Care Food Program (CCFP) and requires strict adherence to USDA, Florida Department of Health, Miami-Dade County, and Department of Children and Families (DCF) regulations.
The Cook–Dishwasher is responsible for preparing breakfast, hot lunch, and afternoon snack, ensuring meals are delivered safely to classrooms, maintaining sanitation standards, managing food inventory, and accommodating special dietary needs and allergies. This role is essential to creating a safe, healthy, and joyful environment for children and staff.
Key Responsibilities
Prepare and cook breakfast, hot lunch, and snacks on-site following approved USDA/CCFP menus.
Serve and deliver meals to classrooms in a safe manner following USDA, CCFP, and Health Department guidelines.
Follow required portion sizes and approved substitutions only when authorized.
Prepare alternate meals for children with special dietary needs, medical diets, and food allergies.
Maintain confidentiality for children with special diet requirements.
Maintain proper food temperatures, storage, labeling, and expiration date checks.
Perform proper dishwashing, sanitation, and kitchen cleaning procedures.
Maintain accurate food service records, meal counts, inventory logs, and required documentation.
Assist with food ordering and reporting using basic computer systems.
Follow all food safety, sanitation, and cross-contamination prevention protocols.
Follow emergency food safety procedures as outlined by the center.
Work collaboratively as part of the Paradise Christian School team (“The Paradise Family”).
Requirements
Ability to work efficiently and meet strict meal service timelines.
Experience cooking and preparing meals in a commercial or institutional kitchen.
Ability to follow written menus, directions, and compliance requirements.
Strong organizational skills to maintain food inventory, labeling, and storage.
Knowledge of proper food handling, thawing, preparation, and sanitation procedures.
Understanding of food allergies, special diets, and prevention of cross-contact.
Ability to maintain required hot and cold food holding temperatures.
Experience with kitchen inventory management and accountability.
Ability to keep accurate records and documentation.
Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, or similar) for ordering and reporting.
Positive, professional disposition and ability to contribute to a joyful work environment.
Ability to work as part of a collaborative and supportive team.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
This is a fast-paced, physically demanding position in a commercial childcare kitchen.
Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time throughout the workday.
Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull kitchen equipment, pots, pans, and food supplies.
Requires frequent bending, stooping, reaching, and repetitive motions.
Must be able to work efficiently under time constraints to meet scheduled meal service times.
Work environment includes heat, steam, noise, and fast movement typical of an active kitchen.
Must be able to safely perform all job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
Applicants must be able to safety meet the physical demands of the position as an essential function of the job.
Language Requirements
Must speak and read sufficient English to understand menus, special diet instructions, and compliance documentation.
Basic Spanish required to communicate effectively with our predominantly Spanish-speaking population.
Credentials and Documents Required
Valid Food Service Certification (e.g., ServSafe Food Handler).
ServSafe Certification required.
Food Manager Certification preferred.
Current First Aid and CPR Certification.
45 DCF Training Hours preferred (must be completed within 90 days if not already obtained).
DCF School Readiness and Pre-Hire Courses preferred (professional development plan provided if not completed).
Ability to pass FDLE Level 2 Background Screening.
Willingness to complete and pass a drug screening.
Must complete and pass a physical examination and TB test as required by licensing.
Why Join Paradise Christian School?
Supportive, family-oriented work environment.
Mission-driven program serving children and families in our community.
Commitment to compliance, excellence, and care.
Opportunity to be part of an amazing team — The Paradise Family.
#J-18808-Ljbffr