Centre Cook- Thookay Yarkeen; Portland South

Centre Cook
- Early Learning Victoria Thookay Yarkeen (Portland South)
Salary: $53,865 - $71,189

Early Learning Victoria is establishing a government-owned early learning and childcare centre at Portland South Primary School. Opening in 2026, this 57-place centre will provide long day care and Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, eventually transitioning to include Pre-Prep.

The 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 be responsible for ensuring that food prepared in line with 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.

• Nutrition, 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 relationship 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.

Criteria 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.

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture,…