COOK LEADER - $26 per HOUR

This position is a Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) role assigned to the Child Development Center at Patrick Space Force Base (SFB). Patrick SFB is a critical installation of the United States Space Force, providing an operational environment for the United States' space-related military activities. The Child Development Center within this base offers care and developmental services to children of military families, supporting the wellbeing and growth of children while assisting military personnel with their family care needs. As part of the NAF workforce, this role is considered Regular Full Time, guaranteeing a minimum of 35 hours of work per week. NAF positions are unique in that they are funded through non-appropriated funds rather than direct appropriations from Congress, but employees still enjoy many employment benefits similar to appropriated fund positions, including the accrual of leave and access to other benefits such as health and wellness programs. Working at Patrick SFB means joining a community committed to national defense and military family support. The role itself requires a strong background in food service management within child development or similar institutions. The incumbent will be responsible for managing meal preparation in a busy child care environment, ensuring that all meals meet quality and safety standards while catering to the specific dietary needs of children. Frequent lifting of objects up to 40 pounds, sometimes over 40 pounds, is necessary, alongside continuous physical activity including standing, walking, stooping, reaching, pushing, and bending. Ideal candidates will demonstrate the ability to lead a team of three or more workers in kitchen operations, efficiently organizing cooking assignments to coordinate and sequence meal preparation steps expertly. Experience in a restaurant, club, cafeteria, or similar food-preparation establishment is essential, as is the ability to adjust recipes to portion sizes, make ingredient substitutions, and season food appropriately. Judging the quality of raw materials and finished products by color, consistency, temperature, odor, and taste is a key competency. Applicants must be current NAF employees, with priority given based on established preference categories including Business Based Action, Military Spouse Preference, Veterans, Transition Hiring Preference, and family members of veterans. Verification of eligibility must be provided by the closing date specified. Education substitution for experience is not permitted, emphasizing the importance of hands-on culinary and supervisory experience. The ability to work long periods on feet and manage physical tasks required by kitchen duties is critical. This position holds a unique and important function within the base's child development services, combining culinary expertise with leadership skills to ensure high standards of nutrition and food safety are met consistently in a supportive environment for military families.

• Current NAF employee
• must provide proof of eligibility
• ability to frequently lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds and occasionally over 40 pounds
• ability to continuously stand, walk, stoop, reach, push, pull and bend for long periods
• experience in food preparation in a restaurant, club, cafeteria or similar establishment
• no education substitution allowed for experience
• must meet all deadlines for application submission