Culinary Specialist

**Culinary Specialist**

**Job Number**:240000RB**

**Posting Date**: Apr 18, 2024, 12:57:32 PM

**Primary Location**: Central-42 West Madison Street (Nutrition Support Services)

**CPS Non-Union Job Grade**: S06

**Estimated Annual Salary Range**: 58,000.00 - 76,000.00

**Position Type**: Non-Union Position

**Overtime Status**: Exempt

**JOB DESCRIPTION -**

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 330,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Nutrition Support Services (NSS) is responsible to support the District’s academic community by providing nutritious and appealing meals with excellent customer service, in a safe and clean environment to every student each school day. NSS serves over 60 million meals to 300,000+ students daily.

**Job Summary**:
Reporting to the Food and Nutrition Program Manager, the Culinary Specialist will support the department’s aim to serve high-quality, healthy, delicious, student-centered menus by leading the development and implementation of innovative and nutritious recipes.

**The Culinary Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities**:

- Provide culinary expertise and collaborate with dietitians and food service management companies to develop menus and recipes that are student-centered, innovative, and meet child nutrition guidelines.
- Work alongside food service management company chefs to develop recipes, and identify and test new products that align with USDA guidelines and NSS goals.
- Train dining staff on recipe preparation, equipment, sanitation, and food production and presentation.
- Engage with stakeholders to understand their needs and collect menu feedback while staying abreast of market trends and regional preferences.
- Increase scratch cooking across the district.
- Assist in increasing the district's alignment with the Good Food Purchasing Policy.
- Assist with the Chef Council program.
- Collaborate with School Garden Coordinator on Eat What You Grow program and Farm 2 School.

**In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Culinary Specialist must possess the following qualifications**:
**Education Required**:

- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Culinary diploma or certificate
- Current City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred

**Experience Required**:

- Minimum of seven (7) years of culinary experience is required, or a minimum of three (3) years of culinary experience with a bachelor’s degree.
- Experience in K-12 food service preferred

**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**:

- Knowledge of federal child nutrition programs.
- Knowledge of current food and beverage trends.
- Knowledge of large food service operations.
- Ability to collaboratively lead and creatively solve problems.
- Strong writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills, including public speaking.
- Ability to facilitate meetings, workshops, and trainings.
- Ability to think “big picture” as well as translate ideas into realistic, actionable plans.
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a project team.
- Ability to create and facilitate training materials both in person and virtually
- Commitment to diversity and inclusivity and ability to work with a wide range of constituencies.
- Proficiency using Google Suite.

**Conditions of Employment**

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

- **Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 -** Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.