Chef Ambassador bei Ozark School District

Position Title: Interim Chef Ambassador

Department: District Food Service

Reports To: Child Nutrition Director

Evaluated By: Child Nutrition Director

Ozark School District seeks top talent committed to fostering student success through a supportive, inclusive work environment. With competitive benefits and a best-in-class work culture, we prioritize innovation, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to attract professionals who bring creativity, dedication, and a student-centered approach to their roles, supporting a diverse community and helping prepare every student for lifelong achievement. We’re focused on building a team that values excellence, making a meaningful impact on our schools and community.  

Position Description:

This position is for employment during the 2025-2026 school year: ending June 30, 2026.

Salary Range: $65,000-$70,000. This position is 100 % funded by the Food and Drug Administration Grant Program for the Study of Containments in the School Meals.  The Chef(s) will work in cooperation with grant partners Healthy Flavors and Wellness In the Schools to provide recipes development and culinary training for the School District Culinary Staff.  The Chef will work with the School District Supervisor and grant partners to develop recipes/ menus that follow all USDA National School Lunch requirements, meet the budget guidelines for school meals and are within the culinary skill level of District staff members. 

Training

•       Attend in-service and professional development sessions as required by federal, state and local district requirements
•       Participate in training provided by Wellness in the Schools “Cook Camp”
•       Become proficient in district nutritional back of the house software for menu and recipe development

Culinary Responsibilities

•         Evaluate culinary skills of School District staff by working side by side with staff and develop a training plan with the School District Supervisor to bring Nutrition staff team members skills to appropriate levels 
•         Implement culinary skill training through one-on-one training, small group training and larger group training. 
•         Produce videos in cooperation with Operations Coordinator for current and future staff training
•         Evaluate kitchen equipment and small wares needed to efficiently implement menus and new recipes, provide recommendations to Child Nutrition Supervisor for purchase of items.
•         Evaluate current menu and recipes for implementation of scratch cooked items.  
•         Recipes must be tested with students for acceptance before inclusion in menus. 
•         Recipes/ menus must meet USDA regulation and budget requirements.
•         Identify and assist with implementation of additional revenue streams for FCS

Qualifications:

•         Culinary school graduate or equivalent experience
•         Current ServSafe Certificate or equivalent
•         Deadline and detailed-focused
•         Strong interpersonal skills (necessary for working cooperatively with school personnel, parents, and other partner organizations)
•         Excellent organizational and communication skills
•         Strong leadership and management skills
•         Entrepreneurial Experience
•         Experience with computers (basic skills in word, excel)
•         Vision should be corrected to 20/20
•         Good physical health, free of contagious or communicable disease
•         Hearing must be adequate for communication
•         Physical ability to lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds on occasion

Demonstration of Knowledge and Abilities

•         Working knowledge of industry standards of food service procedures, portion control, methods and processes of food preparation
•         Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with both students and adults, both district employees and outsiders
•         Ability to effectively lead local FCS staff under the direction of the FCS Manager
•         Ability to calculate and perform basic mathematical functions
•         Ability to follow FCS procedures and maintain accurate and timely records
•         Ability to differentiate colors and shades of color
•         Ability to work with all types of ingredients
•         Ability to think creatively
•         Ability to deal with changes in daily schedule and work under pressure
•         Ability to multitask
•         Ability to adapt and change plans quickly
•         Ability to work with interruptions
•         Ability to identify and address needs in the work place for efficient operation (Self-motivated)

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

•         Indoors, artificial lighting, quarry tile or similar floor which can be slick.  Air temperature may be moist and can be uncomfortably hot or cold
•         Nonslip shoes are required
•         Depending on site staffing 90-95% of work day is spent standing or walking, 5% of work day is spent sitting
•         Lifting up to 50 lbs., reaching, handling, stooping, bending, pushing, pulling, climbing and balancing are all parts of the job

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Ozark School District is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs.

Ozark School District is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of our community and promotes equity for all. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Ozark School District provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Current or prospective employees are encouraged to discuss accommodation needs with Human Resources.