Wonderful College Prep Academy is a charter network in California's Central Valley committed to providing a world-class education for all students. The Academy's mission is to graduate students prepared to earn a college degree and to put them on a promising career path for life. We believe this begins with a nurturing, engaging, community-centered school environment where students develop a strong and well-rounded academic foundation. Ultimately, this will prepare generations of leaders in the Central Valley who are critical thinkers and life-long learners.

The Academy's first school opened in Delano in 2009, serving students from across the Central Valley in grades 6-12. In 2016, we moved to our new, state-of-the-art college prep campus in Delano, and in the Fall of 2017, added an elementary school in Delano and opened a second charter school in Lost Hills. In Delano, we serve over 1,800 students in grades TK-12, while in Lost Hills, we serve over 400 students in grades TK-12. 

Our students have access to technology in all grades, from hands-on STEM learning for younger students in a fully equipped "maker's space" to school-provided laptops for older students. The Academy aims to provide every opportunity for our students that often is not found in public or charter schools, including the ability to graduate from high school with a free Associate Degree. Through a unique partnership with Bakersfield College, our students enroll in college classes starting in 9th grade and complete all their A-G requirements, in addition to their AS Degree requirements over the course of four years. In addition, all graduates are eligible to earn a four-year renewable college scholarship through the generous support of Lynda and Stewart Resnick.

We seek thoughtful, inclusive, skilled communicators, and creative problem-solvers who value continuous learning and who are excited to serve our students and families. Now is the time to join a team making enduring change within the Central Valley of California and beyond! 

Click here to learn more about the Wonderful Company's other great philanthropic partnerships.

Employees in this classification carry out a daily review of menus with the Chef, determine work priorities within menu guidelines, assign specific daily duties to Pantry Workers and Helpers, and instruct them in the proper methods of cold food preparation. Food preparation consists of portioning, washing, peeling, slicing, and mixing vegetables and meats to meet specifications. Arrange food for daily service. Assemble foods to meet the appropriate time requirements. Prepares a variety of hot foods such as soups, stews, sauces, casseroles, and desserts. Works from standardized recipes and receives general instructions, but is responsible for the correct portioning, seasoning, and timing of the items prepared. Working under the direction of the Chef, the cook is responsible for preparing any menu item from prepared recipes. Responsible for quality and temperature control for food they prepare and must use independent judgment during meal preparation. Cooks may substitute menu selections within guidelines set by management. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Prepares a variety of meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables, salads, and other food items for cooking in broilers, sauté, ovens, grills, steamers, steam kettles and combi ovens, and a variety of other kitchen equipment. 
• Assumes 100% responsibility for the quality of products served in conjunction with the chef. 
• Work with the Chef to understand and prepare new menu items. 
• Create and assemble meat, vegetables, cheese, and fruit platters as needed. 
• Store and record leftovers and discuss use with the manager. 
• Knows and complies consistently with our standard portion sizes, cooking methods, quality standards, and kitchen rules, policies, and procedures. 
• Stocks and maintains sufficient levels of food products at line stations to ensure a smooth service period. 
• Portions of food products before cooking according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications. 
• Maintain a clean and sanitary workstation area including tables, shelves, grills, broilers, pasta cookers, sauté burners, convection oven, flat top range and refrigeration equipment. 
• Prepare items for broiling, grilling, frying, sautéing, or other cooking methods by portioning, battering, breading, seasoning, and/or marinating. 
• Follows proper plate presentation and garnish setup for all dishes. 
• Assists in food prep assignments during off-peak periods as needed. 
• Transmit work instructions and specifications received from the supervisor to other workers 
• Motivate employees to meet quality and quantity standards. 
• Inspect the work of others for conformance with specifications. 
• Assist supervisors or other employees in solving task-related problems. 
• Advise supervisor of work progress, problems, and other significant information. 
• Order supplies from the storeroom as needed. 
• Ensure that sanitation standards are maintained. Clean and assemble equipment after each use. 
• Other duties as assigned with classification.
• Abide by all health codes mandated by the health department. 
• Must adhere to department policies & procedures.  

• A minimum of 6 years of experience in kitchen preparation and cooking, with an understanding of proper food handling and safety, knowledge of safety and sanitation standards, and culinary fundamentals (i.e. knife skills, HACCP, several methods of cooking, PPE, etc.  

Skills, Knowledge

• Ability to work independently and as a cooperative team member. 
• Must be service-oriented, courteous, and professional. 
• Knowledge of proper use & care of dining service equipment 
• Ability to interact effectively with customers and co-workers. 
• Demonstrates helpfulness, and respectfulness, is approachable and team-oriented, builds strong working relationships, is diplomatic, and a positive work environment, is responsible, honest, resolves conflicts appropriately, and is flexible. 
• Demonstrate customer service skills with a smile. 
• Must adhere to the department policies and procedures. 
• Ability to understand and implement written and verbal directions to meet production, safety, sanitation, and health standards. 
• Previous experience in pantry work and cooking food in commercial kitchens. 
• Must be able to coordinate and direct other workers. 
• Must be able to organize time and material in pressure situations, 
• Must be able to lift to 50 pounds or less; must have manual dexterity. Ability to work in the kitchen around a hot climate with stoves, ovens, and grills 
• Must have prior catering experience. 
• Consistent with its obligations under the law  
• Adheres to Meal patterns, Nutrition guidelines, War on waste, and Waste Management policies  

Working Conditions:

• Walking: The ability to exert a reasonably paced mobility from one point to another within a generally accepted time frame. Must be able to recognize the conditions of the environment. Must have the ability to stand and walk for an extended period.
• Bending: Must have the ability to move and control one's torso so items can be picked up from a lower surface level.
• Reaching: The ability to stretch the body and extend arms to place or secure objects and commodities at a distance above, to the side of, or below the normal standing level.
• Lifting: Must have the ability to lift to 50 lbs. Must be able to use body parts, usually arms and hands (shoulders and back) to elevate an object or commodity above its previous surface level
• Repetitive Movement: Ability to use body parts on a regular and continuing basis to repeat the same motions for a reasonable period without resting
• Stooping: Ability to flex legs at the knee and move the upper body forward. Subject to wet floors, temperature extremes, and excessive noise. Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Work schedule can fluctuate
• Wet floors (must wear no-slip, closed toe footwear)
• Ability to work in hot temperatures.
• Ability to work around hot equipment or cold refrigeration; Exposure to hot and cold water.
• Constant noise

Pay Range: $23.00 - $25.00/Hour. Final compensation will be dependent upon skills & experience.

WCPA’s dedication to you:

• Free access to the Wonderful Wellness Clinic
• Free access to the Wonderful Fitness Center
• Company-paid health/vision/dental for self
• Voluntary 403b with company match
• Most positions are bonus eligible
• Subsidized preschool and college scholarships for your children

Quality of Life in the Central Valley:

Framed by the Sierra Nevada to the east and the Coast Ranges to the west, California's Central Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions and the base of The Wonderful Company's agricultural operations. This vast area enjoys a moderate climate and offers residents a high quality of life, low cost of living, and a host of diverse cultural and recreational activities. From wine tasting and hiking to rafting, fishing, skiing, and surfing -- all within a two-hour drive -- the family-friendly Central Valley has much to offer.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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