The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.  

POSITION:                               Preschool Chef & Kitchen Manager

JOB CLASS/GRADE:               Coordinator 1/Specialist 2; Grade 7

WAGE:                                      Starting at $52,488 per year based on experience 

FLSA; EEO; WC:                       Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS:                           IRCO Early Beginnings Preschool, 385 NE 75th Ave. Portland, OR

                                                   Onsite Position

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS:              1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS:     (1)

APPLY AT:                                www.irco.org 

STATUS:                                   Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S):                         IRCO Early Beginnings Preschool at Glisan Landing

SECTOR/DIVISION:               Preschool Programs / Early Learning Services 

REQUIREMENTS:                   High level proficiency in written and spoken English;  bilingual preferred. 

                                                  Registration in the Oregon Central Background Registry. 

                                                  Completion of required health and safety training.

                                                  Current food handler certification, or willingness to obtain certification as required.

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
IRCO’s workforce of approximately 750 is served by a team of 12 Human Resources, training, recruiting, and communications professionals. The Human Resources team’s purpose is to hire, train, retain, develop and support all staff while overseeing employee relations, compensation and benefits programs, and compliance with all applicable employment laws. Human Resources also plays a key role in fostering and celebrating a positive workplace environment where fairness and acceptance combine to unite employees around a common goal. If you are a capable, conscientious, mission driven individual, please consider joining us.

Position Summary
The Preschool Team’s purpose is to provide safe and inclusive learning environments and engaging interactions for the children in their care. IRCO Early Beginnings Preschool at Glisan Landing serves up to 40 children aged 3-5 years old Monday through Friday year-round in a welcoming, multicultural environment.

Essential Functions

• Create a weekly menu consisting of breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks.
• Ensure menus meet applicable child nutrition, dietary, and preschool meal guidelines.
• Provide a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and appropriate sources of protein and dairy or alternatives.
• Accommodate food allergies, intolerances, and dietary restrictions.
• Develop menus that are nutritious, appealing, age-appropriate, and practical for young children.
• Prepare and serve daily breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks.
• Follow appropriate food handling, preparation, storage, and sanitation procedures.
• Prepare meals in quantities appropriate for enrollment.
• Ensure food is served at safe and appropriate temperatures.
• Maintain a welcoming and positive attitude toward children's developing food preferences and eating habits.
• Communicate with classroom staff regarding menus, meal service, and any food-related concerns.
• Create and submit weekly food and kitchen supply orders.
• Monitor inventory and maintain adequate supplies of food, paper products, cleaning supplies, and other kitchen necessities.
• Check deliveries for accuracy, quality, and freshness.
• Properly label, date, rotate, and store food.
• Monitor expiration dates and minimize food waste.
• Maintain organized and well-stocked kitchen and food storage areas.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to plan and support age-appropriate cooking projects and food-related activities.
• Help create hands-on experiences that introduce children to new foods, cooking techniques, nutrition, and healthy eating habits.
• Prepare ingredients or recipes for classroom cooking activities when appropriate.
• Participate in occasional classroom cooking experiences and special food-related events.

Secondary Functions

• Ability to meet multiple, including conflicting deadlines
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities for related job functions
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to communicate with a variety of personality types and levels of the organization as well as with people outside of the organization
• This position works under the guidance of the Preschool Site Director and Preschool Programs Manager. This position does not supervise any employees. 

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience and/or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with cooking and food preparation; professional kitchen, restaurant, catering, school, childcare, or institutional food service experience is preferred.
• Enjoys preparing healthy, nutritious, and child-friendly meals and cooking is comfortable for groups.
• Knowledge of basic nutrition and the ability to create balanced menus that meet applicable preschool meals and nutritional guidelines.
• Understanding safe food handling, food storage, sanitation, and kitchen cleanliness practices.
• Ability to safely prepare and serve food while accommodating food allergies, intolerances, and dietary restrictions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan menus, manage inventory, place orders, and maintain accurate food and supply levels.
• Reliable, punctual, self-motivated, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable working in a preschool environment and interacting positively and appropriately with young children.
• Willingness to collaborate with classroom teachers on age-appropriate cooking projects and food-related activities.
• Creative and flexible, with an interest in introducing children to a variety of healthy foods and new flavors.
• Ability to maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen and follow a regular cleaning and deep-cleaning schedule.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively as part of a preschool team.
• Current food handler certification, or willingness to obtain certification as required.
• Must be able to meet all applicable childcare, food service, health, and safety requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with young children
• Familiarity with the Child and Adult Care Food Program
• Strong communication skills in a multilingual, multicultural organization
• Strong ability to work with multi-cultural staff in a team setting
• Ability to use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities 
• Ability to courteously meet and deal effectively with other employees, agency representatives, vendors, contractors, the public, and others 
• Ability to function in a positive manner in a demanding work environment, to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, to respond to priorities and schedules that change frequently, and to meet commitments 

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• In-person job setting based at a Certified Child Care Center
• Physical: Positions at this level require some physical effort or manual labor such as lifting, carrying, or constant movement. Positions with regular responsibility for driving are to be placed at least at this level
• Mental: There is regular variation in tasks, and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed
• Environmental: This level has a work environment that is usually well protected, free from hazards or obstacles. There is little element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are usually comfortable, with only occasional issues, including temperature change
• Schedule: The work schedule is stable and does not fluctuate

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit packages to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community 
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 
• 3% match for student loans or college savings 
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance 
• Flexible spending accounts

Required Engagement 

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives. 

How To Apply

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.  
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.  
3. For questions about this position, please email jobs@irco.org

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application. 

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.