Centre Cook - Murtoa College Early Learning Victoria centre (interim name) Salary band - $53,865 - $65,916 Early Learning Victoria is establishing a new government-owned early learning and childcare centre at Murtoa College. Opening in 2025, this 57-place centre will offer childcare, Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep for four-year-olds.
Role PurposeThe Centre Cook will be responsible for planning and preparing a nutritious rotating menu for all children at the service in line with Early Learning Victoria's (ELV) Eating and Drinking: Health Nutrition and Food safety Policy. They will ensure that food prepared meets specific dietary requirements and is culturally appropriate to the local community. This role will also be responsible for the timely ordering of food supplies and stock management to meet budget requirements.
CapabilitiesNutrition, Food Handling and Hygiene - Responsible for planning and preparing nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children ensuring that dietary and cultural requirements are catered for. Maintains a safe and clean environment in accordance with The Food Safety Act and the ELV Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Policy. Maintain kitchen and equipment to ensure all is in working order and escalate concerns to centre leadership when required.
Administration - Responsible for planning, reflecting and modifying menus as required ensuring that set menus are changed seasonally. Responsible for the timely ordering of food supplies and stock management to meet budget requirements. Maintains and ensures the Food Safety Program is kept updated.
Organisational Skills - Time management: Uses advanced time management skills to ensure that meal organisation, preparation and delivery is within expected time frames to meet children's needs. Problem-solving: Uses advanced organisational skills to complete administrative tasks, maintain accurate records, and ensure that food prepared is within expected budget. Strong problem-solving abilities to identify challenges and implement effective solutions.
Compliance and Child Safety - Implement ELV policies and procedures in relation to Health Nutrition and Food safety. Ensure individual dietary requirements are met for all children at the service and work actively with centre management to support specific needs for allergies/intolerance and culturally diverse communities. Understand and adhere to the Child Safe Standards and the ELV Protect Children Policy. Actively seeks guidance and direction when unclear.
Communication - Uses effective communication skills to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with staff, families, and children, fostering a supportive and collaborative centre environment. Promotes respectful relationships and conflict resolution. Contributes to a positive learning culture by prioritising reflective practice and maintaining a continuous cycle of self-evaluation and improvement.
Personal Attributes - Demonstrates the public sector values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership, and human rights.
Flexibility and adaptability: Operates well in a flexible and changing environment and manages workload efficiently to meet the centre's needs. Demonstrates initiative and seeks guidance and direction from senior colleagues when unsure.
Working Collaboratively: Supports a culture of collaboration within the centre and builds effective relationships with stakeholders and the community to maximise impact of the centre.
Selection CriteriaCriteria 1 - Demonstrates the Nutrition, Food Handling and Hygiene role requirements.
Criteria 2 - Personal Attributes - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 3 - Child safety and Compliance - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 4 - Organisational Skills - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Who May ApplyExperience that will be required: Demonstrated experience as a Cook or Chef in providing high volume nutritious meals in a timely manner.Sound understanding of the Food Safety Act.Effective communication and relationship-building skills with staff, children, families, and communities.Specific skills/qualifications required: A certificate in Food Handling.Food Safety Supervisor certificate.Valid 'Employee' Working with Children Check.Willingness to consent to a Police Check (to be arranged by Early Learning Victoria).First Aid, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications (or willing to obtain).Protecting Children - Mandatory Reporting online learning (or willing to obtain).About Early Learning VictoriaThe Victorian Government is establishing 50 government-owned and operated early learning centres by 2032 as part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The centres will offer childcare, Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. The centres will provide high-quality, accessible and inclusive early childhood education and care that is child-centred, focused on learning through play and in nature, with strong connections to local communities.
Early Learning Victoria's central office is in the Victorian Department of Education. The central team is leading the roll-out of the 50 centres and will support and oversee centre operations once they open.
Staff in the Early Learning Victoria centres will be part of a new Victorian government-employed early childhood workforce. We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching work environment for our employees, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.
Early Learning Victoria is committed to Child Safety and the safeguarding of children from harm.
Applications close 11:59pm on Monday 06 January 2025.
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