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JOB DETAILS

Cook Aide (10-month, Full-Time)

CompanyThe Guidance Center
LocationTaylor
Work ModeOn Site
PostedNovember 10, 2026
About The Company
Since 1958 The Guidance Center has been committed to its mission to: Nurture development. Foster resilience. Cultivate well-being. Throughout the last six decades the agency has maintained a collaborative relationship with its local communities and schools to support adults and children experiencing mental health difficulties and other challenges. A group of concerned residents and educators recognized the need for mental health services in our area and joined forces in 1958 to help form The Guidance Center. Since then we have worked as a team to respond to the needs of children, adults and families in southeast Michigan. The agency operates a wide range of programs and services at 23 locations. Our expertise in mental health and wellness, early childhood education, free preschool for low-income families, developmental disabilities services and support, mentoring, substance use disorder, workforce development, Kids-TALK Children's Advocacy Center (CAC), Champions of Wayne, the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), and research and evaluation helps more than 15,000 members of our community annually work on their own personal triumphs in life.
About the Role

Description

As a recognized leader in our field, The Guidance Center provides a broad range of services that have helped children, adults and families unlock potential and build better lives since 1958. With 25 programs we offer treatment, prevention, growth and education services to more than 14,200 people annually. Together we: Nurture development. Foster resilience. Cultivate well-being.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Cook Aide to join our team of talented professionals.


As a Cook Aide in the Head Start/Early Head Start Program, you will be responsible for the following:

Assist in maintain a clean and safe environment and nutritional practices that support and contribute to healthy well-being of children. Adhere to and maintain compliance with all The Guidance Center, Office of Head Start Performance Standards, State of Michigan Child and Adult Care Food Program and any other local, state and/or agency policies and procedures.


Specific responsibilities include:

Kitchen Operations

  1. Prepare and serve meals according to planned menus and nutritional and CACFP guidelines.
  2. Adhere to sanitation and safety procedures i.e. proper food temperatures, storage and preparation guidelines.
  3. Order foods and supplies from approved vendors to meet the needs of the menu and/or site.
  4. Assist in receiving orders from vendors and ensure that proper items have been delivered.
  5. Operate, clean and maintain all food service equipment.
  6. Wash dishes, pots, pans and utensils using approved sanitation methods.
  7. Deliver meals from kitchen to classrooms.

Documentation

  1. Assist in planning menus that meet each child’s daily nutritional needs including children with special dietary needs and/or restrictions.
  2. Ability to complete required reports and maintain related documentation according to CACFP guidelines including, but not limited to, invoice breakdowns and end of the month inventory.

Professional Development

  1. Attending a minimum of 16 hours of professional development training annually on topics relevant to job responsibilities.
  2. Maintain and update individual Professional Development Binder.
  3. Develop and achieve a minimum of three professional development goals annually.
  4. Attend staff, agency, staffing and other meetings as required.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, you will need the following:

High School Diploma High School Diploma or GED. Experience in professional food service operations. Knowledge of appropriate food preparation methods and sanitation practices. Demonstrate cultural competency and sensitivity and respect to the diverse backgrounds, needs and experiences of children, families, community volunteers and TGC employees. Pass physical examination and background checks before hire.

The Guidance Center believes that our team members are our most valuable resources, and we invest in them accordingly. We offer our employees a competitive salary, flexible scheduling opportunities, a team-oriented work environment and much more!

Key Skills
Food PreparationMeal ServiceFood SafetySanitationMenu PlanningNutritional GuidelinesSpecial Dietary NeedsFood StorageInventory ManagementVendor OrderingEquipment Cleaning and MaintenanceDocumentation and ReportingCultural Competency
Categories
Food & BeverageEducationSocial Services
Benefits
Competitive SalaryFlexible SchedulingTeam-Oriented Work Environment
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
Prepare and serve meals according to planned menus, nutritional requirements, and CACFP guidelines while maintaining safe and sanitary kitchen operations. Order and receive supplies, maintain equipment and documentation, deliver meals to classrooms, and participate in required professional development and meetings.
📋Job Type
full time
📊Experience Level
0-2
💼Company Size
757
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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