Professional Chef-12 month position

Welcome to Vernon Public Schools: where students learn, achieve, and succeed!

Position: Professional Chef - All Schools-12 month position
This is a grant-funded position until June 30, 2027.

Description & Essential Functions: The Administration is seeking a person qualified by education and experience to carry out the duties assigned to the position and in general, to establish and maintain a high level of standards of excellence in the Vernon Public Schools. The professional chef will support the Director of Food & Nutrition and other staff to achieve a clean, nutritious, and pleasurable cafeteria experience for students. Essential job functions include, but are not limited to (see job description for all job functions):

• Assess cafeteria operations and make recommendations to improve meal quality and operational efficiency
• Assist with menu planning by creating standardized, scratch-based recipes that are culturally relevant and meet the USDA nutritional standards for school meals
• Streamline kitchen operations to increase kitchen productivity and staff safety
• Create and lead skill-based training sessions for all food service staff such as knife techniques, scratch cooking, equipment use, food safety, and proper handling of fresh and local produce
• Develop a waste reduction program in the kitchens and track data to assess the success of the program
• Work with Farm to School Coordinator to generate excitement and staff buy-in around scratch- based cooking and locally procured food
• Assisting with the overall strategy for building program-related networks and relationships with stakeholders

Minimum Requirements:

• Associate’s degree in culinary arts
• Current ServSafe certification
• 3-5 years professional experience working as a chef in restaurants or other institutional food service
• Experience in teaching or managing staff
• Alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent and/or Board of Ed may find appropriate
• Valid driver license

Salary: $90,000 - $100,000 depending on experience

A comprehensive benefits package is provided with this position.

Start date: May 1, 2025

Apply online by visiting www.vernonpublicschools.org – Click Apply Now!

Posting closing date: March 28, 2025

Vernon Public Schools is seeking talented and passionate educators to join our team. By recruiting a diverse faculty and staff that is more representative of the experiences and backgrounds of students, we diversify our workforce, decrease opportunity gaps, and improve outcomes for all our students. Our commitment to equity allows us to achieve our Mission to ensure that every student can become an independent learner and a productive contributor to society.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Vernon Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.