Substitute Child Development Food Service Technician

About College of the Desert

The College of the Desert, Desert Community College District enrolls approximately 15,000 students each academic year with steady enrollment growth each year. College of the Desert embraces diversity in all forms and the right of all people to have access to quality higher education in a safe learning environment. Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), College of the Desert administers an array of student programs specifically focused on student support and helping students achieve their educational and career goals. As a two-year college, we offer Associates Degree for Transfer, both in Art and Sciences, Associates Degrees, and Certificates across a wide range of disciplines.

College of the Desert is a district that consists of leadership, staff, and faculty who are committed to enhancing our community through supporting the academic success of all of our students including students of color, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students of all ages, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, “dreamers”, and students of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression.

When you join College of the Desert you can expect to be part of a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community. We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences, emphasizes collaboration, and engages students in and out of the classroom. We are committed to ensuring that College of the Desert is a welcoming place for the success of all students.

Interested in learning more about College of the Desert and the Coachella Valley? Visit the links below.

The Community – Coachella Valley

College of the Desert

Who We Want:

College of the Desert is seeking individuals from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. As such, we prioritize individuals who fully demonstrate their understanding of the community we serve, the benefits of diversity in a professional and educational setting, and values creating a culture that brings people together. A successful candidate will value working in a collegial, collaborative environment that is guided by a commitment to inclusion, student education, and equity. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:

Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as faculty, staff and leadership for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices;

Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility;

Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference;

Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; and

Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives.

BASIC FUNCTION

BASIC FUNCTION

Under the direction of the Coordinator-Child Development Center, plan and prepare well-balanced meals and snacks for children of the Child Development Center; operate and maintain kitchen, supplies and equipment in a clean and sanitary condition; prepare food inventory and order supplies and equipment; calculate and maintain food preparation and proportion records; assure compliance with federal and State Child Nutrition guidelines.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Plan menus according to California Child Food Program specifications on content, including calories, fats, sugars, weight and food groups to provide balanced meals; develop and post weekly menus on parent bulletin boards.

Determine recipes to be used; interpret and convert standardized recipes; measure, calculate, weigh and prepare ingredients for cooking and baking; adjust quantities as necessary.

Prepare breakfast, lunch and snack items from menu; prepare ingredients for cooking and baking and adjust quantities as necessary; cook and bake food for service including meats, vegetables, salads, fruit, breads and desserts; assure proper temperature requirements are maintained; prepare food for special events as assigned.

Sanitize and maintain utensils, serving areas and equipment; clean and inspect oven vents, floors, sinks, dishwasher, carts, refrigeration and freezers; store left over food; assure proper operation and perform minor maintenance on equipment as necessary.

Set up serving carts with utensils and food according to number of children served; deliver carts to classrooms; post food amounts on food carts; serve food to children, students and staff as assigned. E Perform complex food content and production calculations and record-keeping responsibilities, including food items prepared, liquids, weights, amounts and meals served; assure compliance with federal, State and District guidelines.

Maintain food inventory and storage; conduct physical inventory of supplies and food; order food supplies and milk; count and verify deliveries for compliance with orders; check for damaged and spoiled products and report as necessary; rotate stock according to established procedures.

Utilize and operate a variety of kitchen equipment and utensils, such as knives, slicers, mixers, graters, blenders and stoves; operate office equipment such as computers, calculators and others.

Maintain daily morning attendance count and physical count of number of children served by age group; prepare daily menu production worksheets as required.

Assist Early Childhood Education lab students with cooking activities as assigned.

Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and two years experience in cooking and baking in large quantities including record-keeping experience.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Valid Food Handler's Certificate issued by the Riverside County Health Department; may be obtained within the first two weeks of employment.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Appropriate and correct methods for preparing, cooking, baking and serving food in large quantities; portion control techniques; menu planning and adjustment; care and safe use of basic kitchen utensils and commercial food preparation equipment; sanitation and safety requirements in food preparation; nutritional requirements of school-aged children; record-keeping techniques; basic computer operation; laws, rules and regulations related to assigned activities.

Ability to: Plan balanced menus that meet California Child Food Program guidelines, cook and bake skillfully to accommodate a children's meal program operation; read menus and recipes; compute food quantities, weights and content; assure that food items are prepared, served and stored properly; maintain complex records and recipe files; interpret and apply District, State and federal laws related to child development food programs; understand the food regulations in order to earn a Food Handler's Permit; operate mechanical equipment and utensils used in the kitchen; understand and follow oral and written directions; work independently with little direction; lift, carry, push or pull moderately heavy objects including food trays, carts, materials and supplies; stand or walk for extended periods of time; reach overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally; bend at the waist, kneel or crouch.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

This is for a substitute pool.

Assignments can be offered at either the Indio or Palm Desert Child Development Centers.

Hours depend on the assignment.

Classified Bargaining Unit Position

Classified Staff Range 7

WORKING CONDITIONSEnvironment: Food service environment. Exposure to hot foods, equipment and metal objects.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

RESUME: Must include length of employment (month/year start and end dates) for each employer.

Cover Letter: Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:

College Transcripts (If applicable): Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts.

List of References: References should include at least two supervisors and two colleagues. Please include name, title, email and current phone numbers. Letters of reference will not be accepted in lieu of the required List of References.

FAQs: For additional information, click here: Recruitment – Frequently Asked Questions

PLEASE NOTE:

Employment is contingent on residence in California.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

College of the Desert does not offer sponsorship nor take over sponsorship for an employment VISA.

Notice to all Candidates for Employment:

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires that employers obtain documentation from every new employee which authorizes that individual to accept employment in this country. The Desert Community College District (DCCD) will not sponsor any VISA applications nor take over any VISA.

Employees must reside in California while employed with the Desert Community College District (DCCD).

California Public Employees Retirement System and California State Teachers Retirement System:

A California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) retiree may not accept employment until after the first 180 days of retirement. Anyone retired from CalPERS accepting permanent employment with the DCCD will be required to reinstate as an active CalPERS member. Please contact CalPERS for additional information regarding your retirement status.

Any active vested member of California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), who accepts employment with the DCCD to perform service that requires membership in CalPERS, is eligible to elect to continue retirement system coverage under CalSTRS

Disability Accommodations:

If you require special accommodations in the application and/or evaluation process, please notify Human Resources at least two (2) business days prior to the job posting close or initial screening date, by either calling or sending an e-mail to .

Attendance Requirement:

All DCCD employees are required to report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

Campus Crime and Safety Awareness:

Information regarding campus crime and safety awareness can be found at

Non-Discrimination Notice:

The DCCD provides access to its services, classes, and programs without regard to national origin, immigration status, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, color, medical condition, military and veteran status, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or because they are perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

California Fair Chance Act:

The DCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the DCCD is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunity:

The DCCD is committed to creating an academic and work environment that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all, and ensures that students, faculty, staff, and managers of all backgrounds feel welcome, included, supported, and safe. Our culture of belonging, openness, and inclusion, makes the DCCD a unique and special place for individuals of all backgrounds.

The DCCD is looking for equity and inclusion-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to the understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present within our community. When you join the DCCD, you can expect to be part of an exciting, thriving, equity-focused, and inclusive community that approaches higher education with the lens of social justice and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, managers, and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at the DCCD, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with the DCCD's mission and goals for DEIA and EEO.

Additional Resources

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (FEHA)

Discrimination Laws Regarding People With Disabilities

Reasonable Accommodation

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

AP 7100 - Commitment to Diversity

COD - Equal Opportunity Plan

Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)

THE DCCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER