Job Class: 2656 Chef

Salary Range: $86,985 – $105,726/annually

Appointment Type: PEX (Permanent Exempt)

Length of Appointment: Up to 3 years (limited-term special project)

Calendar: Full-Time, Full-Year

Who We Are

With an annual budget of $1.17 billion, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is California's seventh-largest school district, serving 50,000 students who speak more than 44 documented languages across 136 schools in the City of San Francisco every year. We aim for All SFUSD students to graduate as independent thinkers with a sense of agency who have attained academic and creative skills to lead productive lives and contribute to our community.

Overview of the Position

As the Chef in Student Nutrition Services, you will assist in the operation and supervision of a large institutional kitchen, taking responsibility for the planning, preparation, and service of high-quality meals for SFUSD students. As an advanced journey-level role, you will interpret, implement, and enforce established policies and procedures, supervise subordinate cooking-related staff, and oversee all phases of kitchen operations—from menu and recipe execution and purchasing to inventory, sanitation, and quality control. We want someone who can plan and coordinate the work of a busy kitchen under time-sensitive conditions, ensure compliance with nutritional guidelines and food-safety standards, and help advance Student Nutrition Services’ commitment to nourishing students with healthy, from-scratch meals.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

Knowledge of menu planning and recipe standardization for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child & Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Seamless Option, as set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Education
Knowledge of the preparation and cooking of a large variety and quantity of food, food storekeeping, sanitation methods, and principles of nutrition
Knowledge of departmental, federal, and state guidelines and the legal provisions relating to the safe and sanitary operation of a large kitchen or cooking facility
Knowledge of food purchasing and the operation of various food-preparation machines and their attachments, as well as the operation of a dining room or special-event facility
Ability to purchase and maintain control of food and supplies and to estimate the food requirements of diverse-sized groups
Ability to maintain routine records and prepare required reports
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with subordinates, peers, management, and the public, and to deal tactfully and effectively with co-workers and staff at all levels
Ability to plan, coordinate, and instruct subordinates and to operate kitchen machinery while preparing varying quantities of food under stressful, time-sensitive conditions in an institutional setting

Responsibilities

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

Supervises and participates in the planning, preparation, and serving of meals; assigns subordinates and inspects their work; supervises all phases of kitchen operations, either directly or through subordinates; and is responsible for quality control across all kitchen operations
Assists in creating and follows prescribed menus and recipes to meet nutritional guidelines and special dietary needs, with consideration for budgeted food costs and the facility’s equipment
Oversees the preparation of, and prepares, cooks, and bakes, all types of food, including cooking for special functions
Performs and supervises purchasing—contacting vendors, placing orders, and evaluating products; receives, stores, inventories, and distributes all food supplies
Supervises the cleaning and maintenance of kitchen equipment and utensils; inspects kitchen equipment and adjacent areas for safety and needed repairs
Assists in the training and evaluation of subordinate staff
Prepares and maintains daily, weekly, and monthly reports for federal, state, and legal authorities, and prepares other related records and reports as required

Preferred Qualifications

License and Certification: Food Safety Manager Certification

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination)
Experience: Four (4) years of work experience cooking large quantities of food in a setting such as a hospital, correctional facility, the military, hotel, restaurant, or equivalent food-service establishment. Coffee shops, small grab-and-go kiosks, and sandwich shops are not considered qualifying cooking experience
Substitution: One (1) year of the required experience may be substituted by completion of a one-year culinary arts certificate program; completion of an apprenticeship program certified by a nationally recognized culinary arts organization; or possession of an Associate’s degree in culinary arts

Who We Want

When you join our team at SFUSD, you can expect to be part of a collaborative, inclusive, and equity-oriented organization that is intensely focused on achieving our student outcome goals.

We want talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who are committed to and will champion our Core Values, are inspired by our mission, steeped in equity, and motivated to unleash our students’ potential. We want strong collaborators, skilled communicators, and problem solvers comfortable in a continuous learning community.

What We Offer

SFUSD offers a competitive salary of $86,985 – $105,726/annually, commensurate with experience in a similar position. We offer a comprehensive benefits plan including dental and vision plans, a defined benefit pension plan, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options, and vacation time. We also offer an inclusive and equity-centered environment where we encourage staff to bring their whole selves to work.

How to Apply

Visit careers.sfusd.edu and create a new account to begin your application
Visit careers.sf.gov and begin the application process
You will be prompted to electronically attach a letter of interest, resume, list of professional references and any applicable credentials or licenses
Our Human Resources team will then review your entire application to determine your eligibility status and contact you directly should you move forward in the process

What to Expect in the Application Process

SFUSD is committed to providing a transparent, fair, rigorous, and expedient selection process. At minimum, the selection process may include the following steps:

Application screening
Phone screen
Panel interview 1 (in-person or virtual)
Panel interview 2 (in-person or virtual)
Reference Check/Employment Verification
Offer extended
Onboarding

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification from this and future job opportunities with the San Francisco Unified School District.

Non-Discrimination Policy

San Francisco Unified School District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This policy extends to the San Francisco County Office of Education, including community school programs and activities.

For more information about the District's non-discrimination policy, please review Board Policy 4030.

Chef, Student Nutrition Services (2656/PEX)