Head Cook (37.5 Hour) - $28 to $36 per HOUR

The State of Connecticut, through its Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), is seeking dedicated and experienced professionals to fill full-time Head Cook positions at Vinal Technical High School in Middletown, CT, and the anticipated opening at Eli Whitney Technical High School in Hamden, CT. CTECS is a public education system that prepares students for technical careers through comprehensive trade and academic programs, serving a vital role in the state’s educational landscape. The positions are designed for current employees within the system who have accumulated at least three years of experience in cooking and food preparation, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to quality leadership within its workforce. CTECS is known for fostering a supportive work environment with a focus on professional growth, paid development opportunities, and a balance between work and personal life. Employees in these positions benefit from the State of Connecticut's attractive public sector benefits package, including eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualified employees, promoting long-term career sustainability and financial well-being. The Head Cook roles are essential supervisory positions within busy high school cafeterias, each responsible for managing the preparation and serving of nearly 600 meals daily, adhering to stringent USDA standards for both the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. These roles require strong leadership skills, food service expertise, and a commitment to maintaining health and safety standards in food preparation. The working hours are Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm, constituting a ten-month annual schedule, ideal for those who thrive in a structured, school-based working environment. The Head Cook acts as a working supervisor, directly engaging in cooking tasks while overseeing kitchen personnel and day-to-day operations. Responsibilities include planning kitchen workflow, setting priorities, scheduling and reviewing staff work, and establishing kitchen procedures. The role also involves staff training, conducting performance evaluations, acting as a liaison with various units and external agencies, and managing inventory including food and supplies. Maintaining cleanliness and the proper functioning of kitchen equipment is a critical aspect of this position. Candidates are expected to have considerable knowledge of large-scale cooking principles, institutional cooking methods, and food safety regulations. Skills in communication, both oral and written, interpersonal interactions, supervisory capabilities, menu preparation, record-keeping, and basic computer applications are integral to success in this position. The role also provides opportunities for the candidate to contribute to policy recommendations and participate in broader food service planning activities. Given the demanding nature of this role, physical fitness and stamina are important requirements, accompanied by adherence to health guidelines such as being free from communicable diseases. These physical demands include the ability to lift moderate to heavy weights and navigate safely in a kitchen environment. A physical examination may be requested to ensure the candidate meets these criteria. By joining the State of Connecticut as a Head Cook at CTECS, candidates align themselves with a mission dedicated to preparing skilled trade-bound students to meet the workforce needs of Connecticut. This role provides a fulfilling career path with the opportunity to make a direct impact on student well-being and success through quality food service management.

• Three years of experience in the preparation and cooking of food
• One year of the general experience must have been in the preparation of food on a quantity basis
• Current Connecticut Technical Education and Career System employee preferred
• Ability to meet physical demands including lifting moderate to heavy weights
• Must be free from communicable diseases
• Ability to work Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 2:00 pm
• Willingness to work in a high school cafeteria environment
• Must meet minimum qualifications by the job closing date
• ServSafe Certification required or obtained within 60 days of hiring