Hohepa Job Description - House Parent

Job Description Assistant Cook

LOCATION: Hohepa School Kitchen

RESPONSIBLE TO: Chef

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Other kitchen staff including work experience students, casuals

FUNCTIONAL Administrators; Teachers; Teacher Aides; co-workers from Farm, RELATIONSHIP TO: Shop, Residential, Property Services; Contractors; external suppliers; visitors

SCOPE OF ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Hohepa Hawkes Bay provides 24 hour / 7 days a week support for children and adult service users based on Anthroposophical Principles, Social Therapy and Curative Education (Dr. Rudolf Steiner). Hohepa is currently undergoing a period of significant development. The focus is on building a healthy organisation that delivers a consistently high quality, service user-focused service that is robust through its central connection to Anthroposophy. All co- workers are required to accept and respect Hohepa’s special character, and to apply appropriate practices in their work sphere. (If necessary training will be provided to enable staff to understand what this requires.)

The role of the Assistant Cook is to assist with planning and preparing nutritious meals at lunchtime at the school. The role involves: a) Being aware of and supporting the Health and Disability Sector Standards. b) Preparing nutritious meals based on the curative social therapy principles as indicated by Dr. R. Steiner. c) Assisting with purchasing ingredients required to prepare nutritiously balanced and visually pleasant meals. d) Helping to provide “Choice and Participation” for all service users in all aspects of their care whenever practicable. e) Providing support, supervision and mentoring for service users working or participating in work experience in the kitchen. f) Maintaining a healthy, clean, hygienic and safe environment, consistent with Food Safety and Food Preparation regulations. g) Deputising for and providing cover for the Chef in their absence.

Key responsibilities:

1 Cooking

 Assist with the planning, purchase and preparation of all ingredients required for nutritionally balanced and visually pleasant meals. You will work in a manner that reflects the principles of Best Practice and Duty of Care, and within the Hohepa Nutritional Policy and Guidelines.  Participate in the preparation of meals that provide a balanced diet in accordance with the principles of nutrition and nutritional guidelines provided. As far as possible, food should be Bio-dynamically grown at Hohepa, and, at the very least, spray-free, without chemical additives, artificial colouring or preservatives.  Work to agreed rosters and timetables, to ensure food is available at the required time.

of 4  Work within the agreed budget; assist with liaison with the Farm, Hohepa shop and other suppliers to ensure food is available for the planned menus.  Assist with stock control and conduct stock takes when required.  Work to the highest standard of hygiene within the kitchen and dining room environment; responsible for regular cleaning, including a thorough clean at the end of each term.  Supervise any other workers employed within the kitchen (this includes the supervision of timesheets) as requested.  Participate in preserving produce for future consumption. These tasks will be included in overall planning and preparation to take place during term or break time, along with any other projects appropriate to the position.  Assist with maintenance of the overall appearance and upkeep of the Kitchen and Dining Room including furnishings and appliances, so that it can function effectively and can look as beautiful as possible, in keeping with therapeutic principles.  Attend meetings essential for effective communication within the community, including meetings to answer questions, discuss and solve problems, and help to ensure the efficient and harmonious running of the Kitchen.

2 Support for Service users

 Provide support, supervision, advice and encouragement for service users working in the kitchen, or participating in work experience.  Support Service users’ spiritual life by providing a quiet environment in the kitchen and dining room at times of devotion and reverence, including grace at meals.  Keep all information pertaining to Hohepa and/or service users that is or may be of a confidential nature, strictly confidential as per the Privacy Act.  Support the children’s residential houses with meals where required, e.g. when a child is sick at home during a school day.

3 Contribution to the Hohepa community

 Support and participate in Hohepa festivals, and enhance festival celebrations as discussed from time to time with House Managers and/or the School staff.  Enhance the cultural life of Hohepa where possible.  Support, assist and advise Support Workers, especially those new to the work, as and when required or instructed to by the Chef.

4 Individual performance and development

 Participate in agreed Training relevant to the job.  Participate in your own performance appraisal and training needs processes.  Adhere to the Policies and Procedures of Hohepa Hawkes Bay.  Carry out any other duties and responsibilities within the remit of the role.

of 4 KEY RESPONSIBLITY AREAS Key Performance Areas: Key Performance Indicators: Anthroposophy: Demonstrates support and embraces the impulse of Anthroposophical Curative Education and Social Therapy, and especially nutritional principles. Communication: Positive feedback about communication. Communicates positively with staff and students. Effective communication related to the operation of the kitchen. Service users’ Well-being: The kitchen and dining room functions in ways that allow choice Personalised choice and and independence by children. participation of service user Positive and successful interventions with students and staff. Supportive participation Respectful Policies & Procedures: Constantly complies and can demonstrate best practice. Health & Safety: Consistently complies with procedures and is proactive in identification and effectively dealing with hazards. Food handling practices are hygienic. Budgets: Consistently stays within budgeting requirements and often shows ability to reduce spending. Contributes to budget planning. Management of Service users’ Accepts responsibilities and can account for assets. and Hohepa’s assets: Equipment is kept in good condition with use that is consistent with accepted practice. Work Ethic: Consistent in attendance and punctuality. Punctuality, Attendance Works in a professional manner. Attitude, Teamwork Demonstrates team leadership and positive attitudes. Works harmoniously with other co-workers.

General Conditions of Employment

Your employment will be subject to a satisfactory Police Clearance. Hohepa takes up a police vetting report on all employees at the start of employment and then every two years. If you are convicted of an offence after being employed by Hohepa it is important that you declare this promptly; if an undeclared conviction shows up on a future police report, this could be regarded as a breach of trust and may lead to disciplinary action including potential dismissal.

You confirm that you have the right to work in New Zealand, and agree to provide documentary proof (eg through a birth certificate or passport).

Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol:

Hohepa is a fully non-smoking environment, and you guarantee that you will not smoke (even during break times) during work hours.

You must also agree to attend work free of any adverse effects of alcohol or drugs (including illegal drugs and similar substances); and to consent to random testing if required.

Working Hours:

of 4 Normal working hours during term time will be 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday; exact hours are negotiable. You are entitled to 4 weeks of paid leave (after 12 months’ continuous service). Leave must normally be taken during school holidays – some work will be required during these breaks, including menu planning, food preservation, thorough cleaning of the kitchen/dining room.

This is considered to be a 46 – 48 weeks per year role; no work is available for most of the summer holiday.

I agree to the job description and conditions of employment set out in this document:

EMPLOYEE:

Name: ……………………………………………………………

Signature: ……………………………………………………………

Date: ……………………………………………………………

FOR THE EMPLOYER:

Name: Kate Hartland

Signature: ……………………………………………………………

Position Title: Human Resources Manager